Yes I Can! Yes You Can!

Jeff and I are excited to announce that we now have the support of someone we are a huge fan of, Jay Leeuwenburg.  Jay Leeuwenburg started over 100 NFL games and lined up against eventual Hall of Famers Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor during his 9 years as a lineman in the NFL.  In college, he played on the greatest teams in the history of the University of Colorado football, and became a unanimous All-American center.  He played for the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Bengals, and Redskins.  He also was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just days after his 12th birthday. 

Jay partnered with Denny Dressman to write Yes I Can! Yes You Can! which is the life story of Jay’s triumph over adversity.  The book is not only inspirational in Jay’s overcoming his diabetes, but it is a great look into what it is like to be a top college and NFL player.  Jeff and I highly recommend the book, which is a must read for anyone who wants to learn more about diabetes and sports, or just enjoys a great sports book.  We love Jay’s “Can Do” attitude.  As Jay learns about how to live the life he wants to, while managing his diabetes, he takes on challenges and overcomes difficulty that might crush a less motivated person.  Instead, he shows how he succeeded in the hopes that others can do the same thing. 

Jay was not drafted until the 9th round of the 1992 college draft.  His goal immediately became to play the number of years in the NFL for the round in which he was drafted.  He did it and started at every interior line position.  We love how Jay never let anything stop him.  He writes about running to the sideline for a quick soda to raise his blood sugar.  You’d think Type 1 diabetes might slow a kid down, maybe give you an excuse not to be an athlete.  But Jay, with discipline and determination, managed his own health and achieved all his goals. 

Fantasy Healthball is about the same thing.  It is about discipline and determination allowing you to achieve your goals – in our case, your health goals.  We’ll turn your passion for sports into passion for great health.  Let your love of the NFL motivate you to lose weight, get stronger, and live a longer, healthier life.  We can help you overcome adversity.  If a 12 year old diabetic kid can turn into a Monster of the Midway, you too can meet your goals.

We feel a great kinship with Jay.  As readers of Our Story know, Jeff was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and has struggled greatly with health.  We also grew up idolizing the Chicago Bears.  Even as I write this I have a Walter Payton photo on my wall.  Jay inspires Jeff to overcome his diabetes.  He inspires me to jog a little longer, swim a little further, and listen to my body so I can live a healthy life.  We hope he inspires you too.  — Jim Ballard