From Michele:
Life is so unpredictable. You never know what’s next. It could be bad or it could be great… you just never know. The only thing you can do is take it one day at a time, and keep trudging on. Doing your best until you know better (as Maya Angelou once said) and dealing with obstacles as they come along.
Great example… Jesse. Read his story below of how he made light of a back injury.
My life before the injury was much less effort to feel good. I was an athlete growing up and kept consistent through college with a weightlifting routines until I entered the workforce.
I worked out less and less each year after college. Instead, I spent more time learning and managing different aspects of the business I was operating. It seemed like a good trade-off at the time. I was working 12-14 hour days in a health and lifestyle company. Talking to people all day every day about how they could achieve healthier lifestyles. All the while not doing all of the things necessary for myself to remain healthy. I had no physical limitations up to that point. I would work all day and spend at least an hour or two socializing with friends somewhere around town. In Los Angeles there is something going on every day and every night.
I was never limited in any social activity because I had to think about the pain I was dealing with prior to my injury. I never thought about how long I was in a seated position at a football game or a spring training game or at a basketball game watching one of my players. I never had to think about not riding too many miles on a bike. I never had to think about having a good bed to sleep in when I was traveling. Life before my injury seemed very effortless with respect to my physical capabilities.
When I injured my back the doctor told me I needed surgery the first day I met him.
I wanted to do everything in my power to avoid such a serious Orthopedic Surgery. So I did all I could do pre-operation to prevent what I was defining as my last resort. I was doing Physical Therapy, chiropractor’s adjustments, acupuncture, and massage therapy three times a week. After a month with little to no relief, I had a steroid injection. After two more weeks of treatment and no significant increase in mobility or function and no decrease in pain, I went in for surgery. This moment dramatically changed my life’s direction and life purpose overall. The only way I would be able to MOVE through life would be to become aware of my body and what created a function in movement.
I just remember getting out of the surgery and hearing my physician say, “Until further notice, you are disabled.”
If anyone were to ask me, to date, this was the darkest and most challenging time in my life.
As part of my post-operation recovery process, I was going to physical therapy three times a week. This was the only “social” outlet I had. Instead of doing only what was necessary, I asked my PT if I could come in before and after my appointments to spend extra time in the office. I wanted to put in extra work in order to propel my healing, and to be there for those who were also going through similar mental challenges.
I started to learn about the human body, how it functions and I became a sponge.
Essentially My Back Injury Led To A Job
During my last appointment of therapy, on a Friday afternoon, my PT told me his assistant was leaving and asked if I would be willing to take on the role, which was starting Monday.
There was no hesitation. I said yes. And I worked in the clinic in various positions learning everything and all I could. I found such great joy in being a part of the process when it came to other people’s health.
The experience that I received by helping and guiding others through their recovery process was indescribable and helped me get through and past my own struggles.This experience took me out of managing peoples’ businesses and lead me to influence and helping build peoples’ lifestyles.
My Advice For Anyone
- After going through my back injury, I wished that in all my years in sports, someone had told me that the mechanics of movement matter.
- For anyone dealing with a back injury or any kind of physical limitation, the most important advice I can give you is to start with stability of the core musculature. If the back is injured or hurt, all the muscles around the vertebrae need to be active, functioning and have stamina plus endurance for functional active daily living movements like squatting and hip hinging properly.
- I would also encourage you to invest in professional help – myself or another trained movement specialist or a Physical Therapist that can help guide you to the point of healing and regaining health. It is a very challenging task to change patterns and habits. But, with proper focus and attention and effort, anything can happen.
And Today…
Today, I am proud to say that I have not only climbed three of the seven summits of the world, completed 3 Worlds Toughest Mudders (24-hour endurance obstacle races), but I have been able to lead others to accomplish these and other goals they too didn’t think possible. No goal is too big or small. Whether you are looking to be able to walk without pain one day or climb the highest peak, it is possible. I am proof of it and my story is my testimony. Join me. #movementtomove
In good health,
Coach Jesse Holland
Connect With Him:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/JesseHollandFitness