Finding the one thing…

Finding that one thing you can do, be it part of a routine, throughout any tier – be that at gym, or at home to keep a sense of a habit can really really help.

During lockdowns, different tiers/levels and restrictions I’ve tried so many different things to test new habits or work out adaptions for existing ones. Had sadness at having to let things go, gain perspective whilst retaining a real need to have something to grasp, to fight for.

What I’ve found is this. It’s ok if you’ve not managed to get everything ticked 100% of the time. Just one small routine can help along the way, it doesn’t have to be the exact same thing all the time either. Maybe a little challenge here, a new routine or focus to help through this, I’ve found it has really helped in and out of training – be that a new home workout set, a fresh new book or researching something new in that time or writing something & planning your next move, whenever that is – it all helps us through.

Stay Safe my friends, help is available.

How can Technology help Disability Fitness in the gym

Access is getting better and great commitments have been made across the fitness industry to cater for all abilities, from people at the start of their fitness journey to those some way down the road.

However, how much further can it go and how?

By this I reflect back to how far society has come, with the recent 25th anniversary disability discrimination act, I’m thankful to feel able to go the gym and push myself as hard as I can.

The idea surrounding the use of technology is wide ranging and one I’m passionate about. My approach is an understanding that everyone who enters a gym has the own goals and targets set. What to do and how to do it to get to that goal can be daunting (from my own experience) but over time, in a good environment there’ll be support, guidance and assistance.

Where I believe technology can come is through further development in our each piece of equipment can cater different abilities.

It taken some time, research and private 121 sessions to experiment safely with equipment but it’s through that experimenting that I found my way which suits my style of training with my goals.

I’m not sure it’s an aspect of “better” tech but possibly a way to get even more accessible content as to how / and ways to adapt to use it?

This combination with the PT 121’s will enable the safety of practice with human contact but also the theory of how the equipment could be used later down the line.

I’m keen to speak anyone about how people how used equipment to isolate a muscle group through adapting it safely. I’d love to develop that, I’ve experimented with attachments but it took me years to discover how & to I’d love to build something that would help going forward.

If you have any stories you’d like to share about gym equipment adaptions let me know, I’d love to connect!

Lockdown – listening out…

Back in Lockdown.

A big obstacle, huge, disruptive and very restrictive. This isn’t going to delve into the whys and frustrations (edit: There are many but one for another day!) but rather a look at sourcing help from where we left the last one.

Amongst the great uncertainly, I made some really good connections during the last lockdown, looking at the many ways in which people were getting through it. It is bloody tough & I’ve tried to look at those examples from last time, from innovative home workouts to using various objects to get your exercise in, even more valuable considering the conditions outside now.

BUT there is also the importance of reflecting on mental health which, from my observation, there was a serious lack of support at the start of the 1st lockdown and something that should be higher on the agenda. I think one of the reasons why I looked for how others were doing or sharing coping mechanisms was to try see who was in a similar situation and to try many habits that others were finding helpful. It can be difficult to express how this is making you feel and that’s ok, but there is help out there, talk to friends or family and there will be someone to listen.

Could chef please cut my food? Disability, Access & Opportunity…

I didn’t want special treatment, just access to know where to get help when required…

I can’t tell you a definitive time when I fully embraced my disability, I grew up with negative connotations of my ability, self imposed limitations resulted in thoughts such as “well, I’ll never be a brain surgeon with this” (together with persistent emotional “hassle” shall we call it, in school) but over time those subconscious limitations seem to relax & diminish some what, as opportunities are carved, not given to you on a plate but you learn to seize every one of them and build upon it. I questioned early intentions – were those opportunities presented because of my disability (to give me a chance) or because my disability has taught me to search in a different way?

I didn’t want “special treatment”, I think it’s more a case of better access to the opportunity. Access to the understanding of the sort help that could be available if it’s needed. That is a game changer for me.

Another example is the reason I now have the confidence to ask a chef if they wouldn’t mind cutting my steak for me at a restaurant, example. For years, in my head, it was a big thing, but since I’ve started asking not one restaurant has thought the request unusual and happy to help.

I am full of gratitude for every offer of help I have received through my life and my belief is that, more than ever in adulthood it’s because of character and now more than ever, I’m certainly unashamed to ask for help if I’ve needed.

A challenge has been to ensure that the opportunity of an equal platform is available and achievable and that in itself may require further creativity more time to think, more planning but I’m encouraged that it’s becoming the set standard (with more work to continue) as part of the path for everyone to be considered not just a last minute accommodation.

Disability & The Creativity On The Path

There sometimes appears to be apparent awkwardness towards “inspiration” and disability – it can generate quite a wide range of views on it – inspiring others “despite of” or “overcoming adversity” seems to stir opinion.

Here is my take on it. For me, inspiration is an appreciation from others of the creativity shown through the individuals path. An acknowledgement that there have been quite an extended route to get to the goal you’ve achieved.

There are so many personal perspectives along the way and it’s something I’ve given a bit of thought to other the years from my own angle. Particularly when it comes to bodybuilding. I absolutely love the chance to travel, to share experiences with the opportunities that are there. Not because I’m disability, but because the end goal for that particular bodybuilding path that has been made like all of my fellow competitors across the categories.

When opportunity comes, to push myself, out of my comfort zone, to test my own physical & emotional boundaries, to push – my 1st thought isn’t “how is my disability getting in the way here”, it’s rather what is the path that needed to make this happen. I’ve long argued that I feel no different to anyone in the gym trying to achieve our goals – to improve, to feel empowered with our ability to push the boundary we might have previously known possible.

If an opportunity is there to compete, that is the goal set – it’s the target and the journey taken in each is unique with their own story – it’s the creative thinking that navigates the best way for every individual to show the world, “this is my route, my way forward, my journey!”

Qualifying ability on my terms…

Getting a swimming badge for effort, in one way, SUCKED.

I’m not sure of the reasoning behind attaining it, whether it was because it took me more time or I wasn’t quite ready, but singling me out for sheer effort rather than finding a way to get across the pool for that distance badge never left me.

At the time it made me feel a sense of almost getting in the way, I was young and didn’t quite make sense of the purpose of it all. I think it drives the notion of me going against the thinking that at least “he gave it go” or separating me from an activity on the basis of challenging dexterity.

POSITIVE LESSONS…

BUT here’s the positive lesson I took from that day. Over the years, it has perhaps taken me more time to do a task. 10 years to finally convert to automatic driving learning with adaptions and two years of lessons a modern example! Patience has taken time to become a valued skill as I’ve got older, wiser in knowing the clearer limitations, but retaining a degree of the youthful stubbornness – a trait I much prefer to translate today as simply having resilience!

I look back on this a positive – as I drew so much from it. For the negative set back it initially gave me, it produced an even more determined trait to make a success of things with a deeper understanding of the obstacles on the path that may come into play.

The Disability Bodybuilding Show Podcast

The #Disability #Bodybuilding Show…

“Reigniting…With Fortitude!”

A few weeks since the gyms reopened, I start to explore the full re-engagement process of my favourite training programme. Coupled with the start of the review of new habits and strategies of goal setting during 2020.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-disability-bodybuilding-show/id1489748551#episodeGuid=867dfa0a-9fa8-4906-809d-86ea1566fc52

A Blast Back into the Groove…

The sensible approach back into my training was not to try and start lifting at the weight before lockdown, but to find that groove again, using the techniques within the brilliant Fortitude Training programme by Dr Scott Stevenson. I was able to follow a familiar pattern as with my pre-pandemic structure, but 4 months out of a gym, I was rightly cautious with the equipment my body hadn’t experienced for a while.

That draw of routine, to get that back is something I’m very grateful for. I position my training as a springboard and these last 6 weeks weren’t heading directly for show prep but it was certainly moulded get that spark back.

And it has been a challenge. Getting past the ego knowing it won’t be same as before for a little while at least, but also new surroundings to get used to as well.

The idea of my programme was to try ignite that muscle back, but it also brought back some familiarity to life. A push that had been dormant for some time. There are still limitations and restrictions but to apply that programme and process that I had trusted for the last 18 months was refreshing.

A consideration to factor in is look at how Fortitude can remain adaptable in and out of the gym with changeable situations.

However, for now I’m looking to build one progressive blast at a time.

Take care folks!

A Deeper Understanding of Strength…

No, it’s not the 1 Rep Max…it’s beyond the set, beyond a single session, but something which sits right at the heart of the journey.

In The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday offers us a great insight into Seneca’s teaching of being tested and understanding our own capacity and inner strength.

Within that it unpicks the notion of facing difficulty and as a result discovering what capacity and strength that lies within. BUT how would you have known that without experiencing the difficulties, the set backs, the bumps in the road?

This is also helping me prepare ahead, do we know the full extent of what we are capable of now? Probably not, we have had challenges, we will have more. I’ve been trying more recently to take in those moments that were difficult and learn a little more each time.

We may not know full extent of our resilience yet, but my word we have it! Stay safe, my friends, you’ve got this!!

Becoming More Curious about Mobility….

For some time in my younger days, I avoided a number of activities. Unsure or dismissing my chance outright to complete it.
I tried a number of things growing up just to give it a try but I’d somewhat get an idea of my limitations as I reached adulthood.

I developed an attitude which had inadvertently created barriers around doing not just some things, but even the very idea of doing them.

This is where the gym and training comes into its own once again, not just by providing the tools not only to do what you can do but to give yourself time and you’ll realise there are so many opportunities and chances to try new ways of working out. From isolating particular muscle groups and the freedom to build momentum over time on those areas to creating huge rewards physically, mentally and emotionally too.

Keep going, find your way & #ShockTheSystem 💪