When I stopped focusing on pain and got stronger, my pain went away
Rob, 225 lbs Back Squat x 4 reps
This resulted in breaking over 12 ribs, multiple fractures through his lumbar, essentially snapping his pelvis into two and ripping tendons and muscles off the bone.
Meet my client, Rob.
He came to me last year, after a long and fairly successful sporting career. Playing various sports from a young age, focusing on basketball throughout high school and college, before running two full marathons, over 26 half marathons and finally taking up road cycling and making his way around the Alps.
I began training Rob’s eldest son, nearly two years ago now before Rob pulls me over after one training session asking about training for himself. Of course I happily agreed, but little did I know how long his injury history was.
Over the years, as many of us have experienced, injuries occurred for Rob. Some of the major injuries included tearing both labrums in his shoulders and an ACL injury in one of his knees.
But the most recent, and probably most serious, an unfortunate accident happened where a tree trunk landed on Rob and ended up splitting his pelvis/back in half. This resulted in breaking over 12 ribs, multiple fractures through his lumbar, essentially snapping his pelvis into two and ripping tendons and muscles off the bone.
After a lengthy operation and rehab process, where metal rods and plates are holding his pelvis and lumbar vertebrae together (pic on left), Rob is back on his two feet and walking around.
Initially, for Rob, training was very basic, reducing the range of movement while increasing stability and flexibility around joints and through each movement. The biggest focus was addressing his postural needs (addressing core stability), and how he is able to improve coordination around his pelvis.
While in the beginning Rob was in a very delicate state from a physical perspective, over a relatively short period of time, and by testing and measuring progress, while addressing key strength and postural needs, we were able to make significant improvements in overall strength, and most importantly reducing his pain levels. For example, Rob mentioned he used to wake up multiple times during the night due to pain in his shoulder.
He also felt pins and needles regularly down one arm during the day or lifting anything reasonably heavy. Through this period of training, all of these ailments have disappeared.
As we have progressed through training, Rob is able to now sprint and jump, close to maximum intensity, something not very many +50 year old guys say they can do, all while being pain free. This, ultimately has given Rob a better quality of life, greater productivity at work, increased energy throughout the day and changed his work and life dramatically.
Rob, 225 lbs Full Deadlifts x 2reps
For example, Rob initially started a DB Goblet Squat with 35 lbs and a half deadlift with 45 lbs. Most recently he was able to Back Squat 225 lbs for 2 reps and Deadlift 225 lbs for 2 reps. This is an incredible achievement, especially from where we started, but it should be noted this didn’t happen overnight. Consistency over the past 12 months, yes there were a few missed sessions due to last minute work meetings being scheduled, but it has still allowed Rob to achieve these results.
Rob’s main focus and reason for training are:
increasing strength
stability and living a pain free life and healthy life
spend time with his grandkids in the future
not worry about the risk of heart disease or diabetes
In regards to mental performance and brain function, Rob has also noted a change in:
mood and social behavior
appetite and digestion, sleep and memory
an improvement in focus and learning
productivity while at work
Exercise doesn’t have to be anything crazy, it can be something as simple as getting up, walking around outside or simply moving every 60 - 90 minutes. We all know sitting is the new smoking, and lack of activity is rapidly becoming an epidemic in western civilisation. Making a commitment and having the drive to stay consistent in your goals takes time. It not only takes an individual’s mindset, it also takes someone who is willing to push you at your lows.
Lawless Health aims to build a network and community for men, to help each other, hold each other accountable and bring us together through exercise and training while improving our lifestyle.
If you are going through a similar situation as Rob or want to start making a change, please reach out. I will be more than happy to help you achieve your goals and lead a healthier lifestyle. My 8-week program is customised to each individuals needs, goals and availability.
If you have never been into a gym before, fret not as we can start slow and get you back into the right routine and commitment towards a healthier lifestyle.
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