“Age 8 I was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis, I wore a back brace 23 hours a day until I was 15 years old. I couldn’t swim anymore, play sports, and even PE was off the cards due to discomfort and having to be out of the brace to do it. I was inactive, and pretty fed up. Age 15 I had my spine rodded with titanium.
I remained pretty inactive, afraid to do sports in case of injury, I watched my friends play football and rugby but always knew i wouldn’t ever be able to do it. Then at the age of 25 I went to a gym with my mate for the first time, I picked up a weight and I never looked back.
I had found something I could progress in. A personal journey, I can never be “great” and lift kilos and kilos above my body weight but I can make my own goals, challenge myself and achieve them and that’s all that matters. I make my own agenda and I do things on my terms.
5 years on, and until lockdown I was training every day, if not twice a day. I was lucky enough to have my last job at Portsmouth uni where I really embraced my fitness journey and also made good friends and learnt so many skills. Now in a GP surgery I plan to continue my training when I can and really make some goals to smash in the future.
The most important part of my fitness journey was learning I CAN do things, and I can be part of a family while still focussing on what I am able to do within my own limits. Never underestimate the power of the body. For someone with a fully rodded back I do ok….I focus on form and getting it right, keeping myself within the limits my back can take and enjoying the journey along the way!”
Thank you from the Humans of HIIT community for sharing your story!
