Going the Distance: Reclaiming My Retirement, My Passion, My Purpose and My Life

It was a gradual process of awareness that let me know it was time for me to return to my life as a retired VA social worker doing what I am most passionate about; writing, blogging, sharing my incredibly inspirational journey in healing the effects of paralytic polio and trauma. May 25 was the 10th anniversary of when I left the VA to heal my life after receiving the life giving diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine Standards. Every finish line is a starting line.



I feel very blessed that my path crossed with Jeffrey Spratt,MT and will always value and cherish the work we did together as part of my journey healing the effects of paralytic polio and trauma. While there were times when I loved and embraced playing the role of his Executive Assistant and Communications and PR Director, there were times, as is true in helping out with any small business, where there was incredible stress and long hours for which Tom and I received no financial compensation. Of course, one cannot put a price tag on health and wellness and so, for awhile, we were trading our talents and treasures for Jeffrey's talent and treasure as a muscular therapist. Everything my husband and I did for him and for Spratt Muscular Therapies, we did because we believed in him and the work he did to help me in my recovery and healing journey.

Our daughter's recovery from severe depression and PTSD helped me to get clarity on what priorities I needed to set in my own life. She is and has been making a miraculous recovery. I'm sure everyone's prayers have helped plus her own fierce and tenacious, determined Spirit.

Since separating my story and journey from Jeffrey and Spratt Muscular Therapies, the door has opened wide to new connections who are helping me to fulfill my highest purpose and passion. My friends are embracing my blog and my writing and in social media, I have reclaimed my own identity and the work I have done these past ten years. Friends in social media and in real life are sharing in the excitement of Team McManus' journey on the road to Bermuda Marathon Weekend. There have been and are signs and affirmation from the Divine for my decision to move on from Jeffrey and his business.

My longtime friend in social media, Christa Rose, posted this on Facebook today:
“If it doesn’t open, it’s not your door.” ~Anonymous

Robert Spekman, my marketing professor at Darden, used to tell us that the only way you can feel better while beating your head against a wall is to stop. Yes, you should absolutely work hard for what you want but if the joy goes out of what you’re doing, if you feel like it’s the battle of your life instead of the path of your life, then stop. At least for a moment. Sit back, close your eyes, and breathe. Is it worth it to keep going? Are you doing this out of obligation and habit, or passion and purpose? Sometimes the only way to find our door is to walk away from the one in front of us. We only have so much time. Let’s make every day, every action, count.

To reclaiming my life and to making every day and every action count for our time here is indeed limited! To being an author, blogger, poet, motivational speaker and going the distance as an endurance runner on the roads and in my life and to letting my light shine!

Go the distance with strength and courage!
~Mary

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

Following Their Bliss: Metal And Hide Designs

Kyle DiMare and Courtney Klimowicz met casually at first at the Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine. Kyle studied Sculpture and Courtney studied Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design.

Kyle's mom, Karen is a friend of mine. We were having brunch together last Sunday and I admired her stunning earrings and necklace. She told me that they were made by her son and his girlfriend Courtney. I reached out to them wanting to feature them and their story on my blog. They embody the philosophy of journey well by following your bliss.

Kyle and Courtney both graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Kyle left school with the intention of getting a Master's degree and focusing his career on teaching art. Kyle discovered that teaching art was far afield from his goals and his true passion. He had to make many sacrifices to pursue a master's degree; the biggest sacrifice was that he no longer had the time or resources for what he terms "making." Working with his hands is his life's passion and he had to put it on hold in order to pursue something he didn't like.

After graduation Courtney was fortunate enough to get a job as a goldsmith's apprentice. She worked only a few hours a week but the experience the goldsmith afforded her was priceless. It completely informed the work she's making for Metal And Hide. Courtney needed to take odd jobs to make ends meet, and one of the most lucrative jobs turned out to be the worst for her heath. She worked as a server in an excellent restaurant, but the long hours, the lifting objects and the constant standing took a toll on her physical and spiritual well being. She couldn't find time to "make".

They left Portland, Maine to look for jobs that would allow them to make. As they got to know each other better, they realized that they had a shared vision and developed Metal And Hide, an art and design company where they design and construct handmade, wearable and functional craft objects.

Their mission is to bridge the gap between the often inaccessible, high-end goods and the trendy products everyone enjoys. They focus on providing exceptional craft in all of their products to showcase a lavish elegance without the luxury price tag. In searching for their ideal job, they realized that they didn't need to look any further than their own passions and vision. Their concept for Metal And Hide came together and they decided to launch in February. Metal And Hide uses timeless materials for timeless quality, crafting wearable art and artistic accessories. Kyle and Courtney's creations honor the duality of their experience in making art, their personalities and the materials they use. When their paths crossed at the Maine College of Art, they couldn't have possibly predicted that their relationship would lead to a successful business partnership. They focus on unique handmade craft objects where the process of making each unique piece is strongly reflected in their designs.

Here is a sample of their beautiful creations that are more magnificent when you experience them in person:





They name their one of a kind creations that are all hand made, and made right here in Massachusetts.

You can shop for their designs on Etsy

Be sure to love their Facebook page.

And follow Metal And Hide on Instagram and Twitter.

Journey well!

My latest book, "Journey Well" is now available on Amazon along with all of my inspirational books. 50% of book proceeds are donated to the Massachusetts Resiliency Center, a safe, welcoming space for survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing to heal and stay in touch with one another; a virtual hub for a widely dispersed community whose lives have been impacted by the tragic events of April 15th and the events that followed.

When terror struck the world's oldest and most beloved marathon on April 15, 2013, it was a defining moment in Mary McManus’ life and the lives of all those in Boston and around the world. It was her wake up call to return to the sport and community that have been medicine and a lifeline for her throughout her marathon of healing the late effects of paralytic polio and experiencing 9 years of domestic violence as a child and adolescent. Mary captures the essence of Boston Strong through her experience of the 2014 Boston Marathon and as she profiles the people who are Boston Stronger. Through her blog posts, poems and journal entries woven together with excerpts from her memoir, “Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility,” you will experience, through one woman’s journey of transformation and healing, that no matter what happens to us, we can all learn to journey well.

We've Got Magic To Do

There is a wonderful song from Pippin, Magic to Do


It was indeed magic that brought Franc Karpo and me together last Wednesday for a lunch at Sweetgreen in Chestnut Hill.

Franc is a runner and the business partner of my friend Reno Stirrat. Franc and I met on line through Reno after I did a blog featuring their Long Distance Training Tips.com.

Franc lives in Scotland but travels to Boston twice a year to entertain and inspire using magic. He posted on Facebook that he was visiting Boston for the month of March. We agreed that we should meet and abracadabra there we were.

We talked about running and recovering from injuries and running and Reno and mutual friends and running and then I got curious about Franc the magician and entertainer. He shared his back story with me -- from his website:


My first memory of an interest in magic was reading the biography of Harry Houdini at the Boys Club in my home town in Worcester, Massachusetts. I was only 7 or 8 years old at the time.

A couple of years later, with my paper route money, I started buying all the jokes and gags from the local joke store....

It wasn't until my teen years that I actually got hooked on magic. I devoured every book on magic tricks I could get my hands on at the Worcester, MA Public Library. I still have fond memories of running home from school, locking myself into my room and practicing my magic in front of the mirror. (This was in the 70's before magic video's and DVDs.)

Because I was such an extremely shy kid, I didn't show anyone the magic I could do for a couple of years. Magic was actually a great way for me to 'come out my shell.' This is one of the reason's why we, (along with Bonaparte - my fellow magician and business partner) have developed a Magic Workshop for kids that teaches them simple magic tricks that will boost their self confidence and self esteem.

In my late teens is when I actually had the nerve to get in front of an audience. (If you knew me as a kid, You would NEVER guess that I would turn out to be an entertainer. Now you can't shut me up. .:)I can still remember my first paid gig. I got a whopping $50 for a kids magic show for a first grade class! The coolest part about it was the teacher mailed me a folder of drawings from my show from all her kids. It was amazing!

At this time I started to get a bit more serious about my passion. I graduated from a local magic school: Steve Dacri's School of Magic. Steve is one of the most in demand corporate magicians in the world today, who performs regularly in Las Vegas.

While I was working on my act, I still had no clue how to market myself or run a business. I was performing magic professionally part time and working as a bartender to make ends meet. I was entertaining mostly at kids birthday parties and restaurants.

I did this from 1985 to 1994. In 1994 I decided to take a shot at being a full time magician. And I haven't looked back since. I switched my focus from learning new magic to marketing my business. (I spend 90% of my time in sales/marketing/admin... doing the magic show is a reward!)

I put together several different themed shows for preschools and day care centers and was building a nice business just from that.

Working in the schools lead to booking more birthday parties.

I also started to work corporate events. Some of my clients include: Pfizer, Fidelity Investments, Unisys, Franklin Covey and many others.

My philosophy is simple:

Follow your heart and do what you have passion for.

Franc, wearing a short sleeved shirt said to me, "Here let me show you a couple of tricks."

Right there on the spot I was entertained with dollar bills and European coins. I was thoroughly enthralled because let's face it we all need magic in our lives.

You can experience Franc's magic at an upcoming show at the Amazing Things Art Center in Framingham on March 21. Tickets are $8 for members and $10.00 for non-members. Call the Box Office for Family Rates. For groups or birthday parties, we will provide a space for ice cream, cake and presents before or after the show! You can also book Franc or his fellow magician, Bonaparte (yes that it is his real name) through their website Reserve a Date link.

Visit Franc's websites at:
Corporate Magician Franc Karpo - Amazing Boston Entertainment
Kids Magic
Office Party Magic


Journey well with joy and magic!

"Journey Well" and all of my inspirational books are available on Amazon.

"Journey Well" is a book about resilience, strength, courage and how we are able to journey well no matter what conditions life hands to us. I profile the people who are Boston Stronger and share how 4/15/13 was a wake up call to me to return to my healing path from contracting paralytic polio at age 5 and 9 years of domestic violence as a child and adolescent.