Image by Wren Handman from Pixabay

What Happens When You Give a Recovering Workaholic a VR Headset?

The gift of an Oculus Quest has shaken up my world.

Last night I stood in my living room, breathless and sweaty and feeling better than I have in months.

“I’m going to pay for this in the morning.” I knew. I didn’t care.

The most strenuous exercise I usually give my old body is a half-hour of yoga.

I’d just finished an hour of smashing water balloons and punching little circles in the alps, at the Temple of Horus, and on a beach in the Philippines, with the music of James Bond, Mission Impossible, and Hawaii 5–0 playing in my ears. My cat, Wash, looked at me suspiciously, safe from all the bobbing and weaving and lunging in his little bed next to the heater.

In front of stood Coach Doc, a boxing instructor, and he held up his fists for a happy bump. “Nice job, champion!” he said, and slowly faded from view, replaced by a list of other workouts available on the “Supernatural” fitness app.

I’ve been waiting for this my whole life, I thought.

I have a hard time with the idea of “play”.

Marine Corps, single parenting, freelance work, directing a non-profit — my life has been a series of trying to make…