Rebuilding:

Many of our solutions in life, being physical or mental will come other people experiences, by trial and error or by advice of a specialist, and I believe its pretty much in that order.  Our own personal journeys in life will mostly be hard ones with many stumbles and trying again (get up and keep moving forward).

I had my own life turn-around about 15 years ago when I suffered a major mental break down and personal vulnerabilities that I couldn’t ignore.  Loss of my father, marriage break down and divorce, workplace performance.  Being alone with only small circles of friends and acquaintances and no-one close to turn to.

I fell back to just keeping thing simple and mastering what I new, but it also came with, before mention, stumbles.  One pastime I gradually got better at was exercise and setting small goals that became better over time and the realization of potential.  I sought the advice of a couple of experts and applied them to my own training and not only did I see changes in the weights room and gym, but it also steadied my mind. It made me feel good afterwards, helped me sleep better, gave me confidence and began to shape a career path I had always wished for, but now could see I would develop through a passion to help myself and others.

 

There’s been the better part of 10-12 years of my own self rehabilitation, of learning myself, breaking bad habits, many of which I didn’t know were so bad, and becoming an example for others to follow.  And eventually imparting that knowledge.  

Enhancement:

The Navy (1989-2012) broke me and made me.  I’d have it all again if I could.  But it made understand what my flaws are, and it took a breakdown to do something about it.  It usually does for most people.  But I was fortunate that I was given the opportunity to recover and rebuild myself.  Fortunate to be given the opportunity to teach others, skills that I had in a training and instructor position for 8 years.  It gave me the belief and rewards of helping others, to which I do today. 

Throughout all this, since that breakdown in 2006, I have been constantly driven to improve my mind and body.  It’s a daily thing, a weekly thing, monthly, yearly, it doesn’t stop.  Mind and body. 

The weights room is my sanctuary where I can let out, drive, and develop my boundaries of self-development.  And I encourage others to do so every time.  By the words many of you hear…’No steps backwards’, ‘Next level up’, ‘Get out of your comfort zone’.  

There’s no doubt that since joining Terrific Fitness as a Coach, you may not have noticed that I have continued to improve, but I have.  It’s the sort of place that encourages growth in many aspects.  Regardless of age, experiences, owning a small business, I’ve improved since joining in 2019 and I keep getting better at stuff.  It never stops.

 

• Coach Stephen