Hey there. I had the opportunity to sit down with Zachary Fenell for a powerful conversation about mental health, self-acceptance, and personal growth. Zach is an author, blogger, and endurance athlete who has used his experiences with cerebral palsy to inspire and connect with others. His journey is a reminder that our mindset, the way we frame challenges, and how we choose to move forward all play a huge role in shaping our lives.
The Power of Writing as Therapy
Zach started writing as a way to process his emotions and make sense of his experiences. As a teenager, he struggled with confidence and self-identity, especially when it came to living with cerebral palsy. Writing became a way for him to reflect, understand his own journey, and ultimately embrace who he is. His first book, Off Balanced, captures his transition from feeling embarrassed about his disability to fully owning his story.
Through writing, Zach was able to shift his perspective. He realized that the frustrations he once had toward his parents for not letting him play Little League were rooted in their fears for his safety, not a lack of belief in him. That level of reflection and growth wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t put his thoughts into words.
Competing with Yourself, Not Others
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation was the idea that you are your own competition. Zach took this mentality into his marathon training, proving to himself that he was capable of more than he ever thought possible. He has completed two marathons—26.2 miles each time—despite initially believing it wasn’t even an option for him.
What stood out most was how he measures progress. Instead of focusing on how he compares to others, he looks at how he has improved compared to his past self. When he finished a race two minutes slower than the previous year, he didn’t beat himself up. He reflected on why—realizing that a movie night the night before had impacted his performance. He adjusted, learned from the experience, and moved forward.
This is something we can all apply to our lives. It’s easy to compare our progress to others, but the only real measure of growth is how far we’ve come from where we started.
Staying Present and Controlling Your Focus
When you live with a condition like cerebral palsy, staying present is a necessity. Zach talked about how he has to be fully aware of his body while moving—one moment of distraction can lead to a fall. In fact, one time, he was so caught up in thinking about a YouTube video being flagged that he lost focus and ended up spraining his groin from a fall.
That experience was a harsh reminder to be in the moment. If he lets his mind drift too much while walking, he risks injury. That level of awareness is something most people don’t have to think about, but in reality, we all should. We get so lost in distractions, technology, and worries about the future that we forget to just be where we are.
Processing Emotions in a Healthy Way
Zach uses daily affirmations to stay connected to himself. He starts by acknowledging how he feels—even if it’s negative. Instead of pushing emotions aside, he says things like, “I am tired. I am frustrated.” Then he transitions to positive affirmations like, “I am strong. I am here. I am capable.”
This approach is so powerful because it allows him to process emotions without dwelling in them. Too often, men are taught to suppress their emotions, but that only leads to more struggles down the road. Acknowledging how you feel and then reframing it into something productive can make a huge difference in mental resilience.
If you want to connect with Zach, check out his work:
📚 Buy Zach’s Books
📝 Read Zach’s Blog
📷 Follow Zach on Instagram
📧 Email Zach