About Me

Here we go…

Hello!!  Thanks for taking the time to connect.  I’m grateful you are here.  My name is Chris Lyles.  If you met me four years ago, I would have said that I’m a full-time senior developer working in the educational space (there were a couple other industries along the way).  I worked for many start-up companies since the late 90’s.  Each of those companies introduced challenges for me to overcome.  There were plenty of times when I didn’t know where to begin.  But with time and effort, I completed my work.  Some of those tasks I completed far beyond what was asked of me.  With each task I gained experience (like so many in this field) and confidence.  I believe that is a pattern that we all manage when learning any new skillset.  …it always takes time and effort.

Along the way, in 2014, my health turned a 180.  To this day, I don’t know what happened nor do I have a solid diagnosis.  Looking back, there were smalls signs that my health was getting worse.  I did visit a few doctors early on, but there were no problems to report.  The real pain kicked in, what seems like, overnight.  I woke to a level of pain that, to this day, I am reminded of on a daily basis.  I saw an endless number of doctors, I drew blood on a regular basis, tried countless supplements and medications, went to the Mayo Clinic, did stem cell therapy, spent a week at the Sophia Institute, and I was not getting better.  I gained 40+ lbs.  To alleviate the issue, I ended up removing part of my thyroid and two parathyroids.  My level of pain came down, but I’m still in management mode.  Which means… more time and effort.  

My list of symptoms could have fit in a number of possible diagnoses.  Those diagnoses included Lyme, thyroid, mercury amalgams, mold, Epstein-Barr, rheumatoid arthritis, etc…  Slowly, I realized that the western medicine didn’t have the answers.  I was growing frustrated and some of the doctors took notice.

Reflecting back on that time, I realized that I was probably dealing with several problems at once.  But, I believe it started with mold.  We had a rock shower that was growing mold behind the scenes.  I worked from home, starting around 2004.  I had an office in a loft area above the bedroom.  I worked, slept, showered, and worked out in that space for 10 years.  We only found out about the mold in 2015 when the house flooded from the nearby river (I’ll save that story for another day).

As of today, I have never completely healed.  I do my best to maintain the level of health that I can live with and I’m very grateful.  I’m careful about the food that I eat and have a list of supplements that I believe are helping.  I continue my research, just not as often.

There is a silver lining that I would have never seen on the horizon.  I would have never thought how my pain would have impacted others.  On this journey, my wife has learned sound therapy and is a yoga therapist.  Sound therapy has been a blessing to many of her clients.  My daughter is working on her Masters in Chinese medicine and is a year away from graduating.  For me, I have been able to continue to play the game I love…golf.  

The last company I worked for was a start-up.  I was the first employee.  There was a lot on my plate.  I had the privilege to architecting the platform and the enormous task of learning the business.  The company had a goal that I could stand behind and the crew was great.  After the second year, I was burned out.  I can no longer keep the level of focus required for a start-up.  I made the decision to resign.  It truly hurt, but it was best thing to do for my health.  Since then, I have focused on me.  I’ve never done that before.  I tend to focus on my wife, kids, home, and career.  Now what?  Where do I go?  How do I provide?  I have spent the last three years learning to meditate, eating healthy, READ, taking care of my wife, and playing some golf.  Time and effort.

I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about what makes me tick (not a Lyme pun).  I enjoy golf (down to a zero handicap).  I pay attention to how food/water affects the body.  I’m a pretty good lucky cook (meaning, I can be successful cooking a new dish for the first time).  I wonder about how technology can help?  How can I help/share with others?  I’ve learned how to really listen and pay attention to body language.  At the end of the day, when trying to learn about myself, I know that life is not about me.  I enjoy making new connections.  You can ask my wife and kids… I guess I can be intimidating (or so they tell me, due to the size of my physical body….played basketball in college), but once you get to know me… I’m very likable.  :).  I actually enjoy playing golf with strangers.  I have had plenty of experience watching people warm up to me after 4-5 holes.  

Where do I go from here?  My goal is to share areas of health, home, fitness, food, and (cause I can’t help it) gadgets/technology. To accomplish this goal, I will use my research skills I have developed during my career.  At the end of the day, to each their own.  Life is about balance.  What works for me may not work for others…but I can still listen and keep an open mind.