“Excuses are like rear ends … everyone has one and they are all full of …”
That was the sign above the locker room door in my college basketball locker room. Nice huh, but it did make a point. We often tell others:
people have one of two things in life: stories or results.
Like anyone else, I hate being injured, but I also look forward to the challenge and opportunity to improve something I may not have concentrated on if I wasn’t injured. After my toe surgery in the summer of 2010, my bench press strength became stronger than it had been in 10 years. (See the video below.) Our bodies have so much wisdom to share, that is, if we are patient enough to truly listen, especially when we are sick or injured. I write this post less than 2 weeks out from yet another toe surgery, one that will keep me from doing any lower body leg training for close to 3 months. What shall a guy like me do, you ask? I plan to hit my core harder than ever, improve my flexibility, balance my shoulder strength and hop in the pool with Kay Lynne to work on my lap swimming. All of these things will improve my overall athleticism (and health), and are all things I probably would not have focused on as much if I had not opted for this surgery. (Especially the swimming part, as Kay Lynne so doesn’t believe a word of the lap swimming part.)
No Excuses Training – A Tough But Great Lesson To Learn
This summer, I had the opportunity to work with a young (very) talented hockey player named Brady who has a bright future in the college (and possibly beyond) ranks … he went to a summer camp for the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Team who drafted him in the spring only to be taken out in a pretty dirty play that left him with a chipped bone above his knee. This resulted in a total leg brace that ran from his ankle to his upper thigh … so what was his response to this?
That’s right, he got home from camp and we hit it that much harder the next week … here are a few videos of his No Excuses training in the weeks following his injury. He has since been released to play and due to his positive attitude, continuing work ethic and ability to see far beyond this minor road block, will hit the ice again soon, bigger and stronger than ever, without skipping a beat.
Single Leg Dead Lift – research actually shows that strengthening the healthy arm or leg, when the other is injured and braced, benefits both limbs, due to what they call a “contra-lateral” neuromuscular effect, or some fancy sounding phrase like that. Brady mastered this move, improving his strength and balance, and immediately began performing this on both legs when he was allowed to go without the brace.
Barbell Bench + Single Leg Squat Superset – this is another great, efficient superset that Brady hit hard that not only trained his healthy leg and total body balance, but also provide a nice cardiovascular benefit he could not get any other way due to his limitations.
Brady has an awesome attitude and is looking forward to another great season for his Triple A Team here in St. Louis before headed out to Cedar Rapids next season to join the United States Hockey League.
More No Excuses Training From My Own Video Journal
Bench Press & Chin Up Strength – after my July 2010 toe surgery, I decided to focus on my upper body strength. This is a 90 second clip of me benching 325 lbs and chinning about the same (my body weight + 90 lbs), more than I had lifted in probably 7-8 years. Check out the boot! I’ll have the puppy on once again soon. (This was also a press/pull ratio test, as your pulling strength should be stronger than your pressing strength.)
One of the keys to lasting motivation while genuinely enjoying (most of) the journey is “self-mastery.” I am also a strong believer in motivation through education. Body awareness is never more evident when we are sick or injured, so next time you are feeling an ache or pain or have scheduled a surgery, (well first, call us to set up your pre/post-op coaching & therapy), but always, keep in mind this opportunity to learn more about your body, and you will come out in the end stronger, healthier, more self aware and thankful for what you can learn from your body if you take the time to listen. There is no greater teacher, unfortunately, at times, than pain. When you feel pain, that is your body reaching out, if not screaming out for help due to the layers of overuse, imbalance and abuse it has been through, (because our bodies are quite patient.) Listen to this pain, this call for help, and you and your future health, fitness and performance potential will reach higher levels than ever!
