Cerebral Malaria Nearly Took My Life—These Are the Rules I Live By Now
Growing stronger by the day in a Swiss hospital-the 2nd country I was hospitalized in during my battle against cerebral malaria.
Exactly six years ago, I almost lost my life due to a severe case of cerebral malaria.
Each year around this time, I pause to reflect, to give thanks for the life I’ve been so privileged to live.
When you’re given a second chance at life, your perspective shifts. All those clichés about “living each moment to the fullest” suddenly hold real weight. Life is fragile, unpredictable, and precious—a gift we often take for granted.
I learned this the hard way.
My symptoms hit me like a storm during a layover at the Dubai airport. Before I knew it, I was hospitalized in a foreign country, completely alone, fighting for my life. It was terrifying.
My sister, my savior, left her six-week-old baby behind to be by my side. Her love and strength carried me through when I felt like I couldn’t go on. I remain forever grateful for her sacrifice.
That experience changed me. It gave me clarity about what really matters.
After I recovered, I sat down and wrote a list of “rules” to live by, lessons that still guide me today. On this anniversary of my second chance at life, I want to share them with you.
1.) Go Big
When you recognize that this life is yours and that it is your one and only. And when that seizes to be some esoteric bullshit, when that's not hippy poetry anymore, when the pragmatism of that statement seeps directly into your bones and you recognize THIS IS IT everything changes.
Sharing the love at a friends wedding on Anegada Island, BVI, 2024
2.) Nurture your relationships that count
No one knows what will happen in this life, but one thing that you can be certain of is there will be hardship. Who can you truly depend on when times get tough? Love those people fiercely.
3.) Everything will change
Cherish every moment. If you treasure a relationship, show it. Do the things you love and go all out because you really never know when it all will change.
4.) Count your blessings
Always. Always. Always. It is not happiness that makes us grateful but gratefulness that makes us happy.
5.) One size does not fit all
We all come from different cultures, religions, languages, family structures and perspectives and that is OK. With our differences will come varying ways to live a fulfilled and happy life. DO YOU. As Joseph Campbell eloquently said, "The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."
6.) Take (calculated) risks
T.S. Eliot taught us, "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." Break out of your comfort zone. Uncomfortable experiences breed strength, lessons, resilience and fun! Of course when you follow your heart, take your brain with you. ;)
Zip-lining through a jungle in Laos, 2012
7.) There will be struggle
It will hurt sometimes. It's OK to feel low. Sometimes you just need to lay back and throw your arms up. Go ahead and cry. But after those tears, get your ass up and move on. Darkness does not have to be an enemy because if you are learning, you are never losing. Life is tough but you are tougher.
8.) You. Need. Connections.
Connections are what sustain us. We are social beings after all. Get out and open yourself up in honest and authentic ways.
Nothing beats a boat day with friends in the British Virgin Islands!
9.) Life isn't fair
Suck it up and stay grateful. We are the lucky ones, here with a life to live, able to make choices and lucky enough to be alive.
10.)Strive for Balance
Work hard, play hard. Take time for others and make time for yourself. Drink wine and drink water. Eat a salad and chow down on a cupcake. Pleb out on the couch and hit the gym. Hold on and Let go. Everything in moderation.
11.) Don't let people fool you. It's a beautiful world.
Mat and I soaking up some “vitamin sea.” Anegada, British Virgin Islands, 2020
In Closing
If my words resonate with you, I encourage you to take a moment today to reflect on what matters most in your life. Don’t wait for a wake-up call to start living with intention—begin now.
For more stories like this and a deeper dive into the life-changing lessons I’ve learned through travel, hardship, and second chances, stay tuned for my book, coming Fall 2025!
