DisabilityBodybuilding.com

Entering the World of Competitive Disabled Bodybuilding…

On Sunday 2nd April I achieved a goal that, at first thought, had been dreamt up 2 years in my mind to reach a pinnacle in my fitness journey. In fact, at around 3pm that day – I let go, of every single no, rejection & hurtful remark regarding my disability ever thrown in my direction growing up too.

I’ve been blessed with incredible support throughout my life. To provide me with a strength and hope that dispite mobility problems, you can still achieve anything you want. The acceptance into the bodybuilding community and how an army of people have embraced adaptive training by having its own category was abundantly clear this past weekend.

Having arrived in Stafford on the Saturday for my 1st comp with the PCA, looking back I was understandably nervous. I had worked so hard to get to that point, I think the enormity of what it took to get there was sinking it, but once I got on stage that remarkably went away, Whilst I will continue to work on posing – I felt at ease.

The weekend was so much fun! From getting my layers of spray tan from the brilliant Liquid Sun Rayz, to the accommodating team at Brewyers Fayre who provided two meals of steak and eggs with no fuss and full of best wishes for my comp.

To my family for coming and supporting me and a special thanks to all in my Catagory who continue to this day to represent disability bodybuilding to such a high standard. My Coaches Ross & Mark who provided me with nutrition, training and guidance to make this happen & A message to Paul & Ryan – You guys rock – until that defining moment on stage, I was incredibly nervous and you guys were incredible all day, thank you to everyone.

The result? A placing 3rd, a fab trophy I will cherish forever and an invite to the British Finals in June!!

As for what is next?

I want to continue competing! That buzz was amazing, I want to get better, to learn, to grow and help build the road ahead within the category.

Next up is the PCA Event at Bodypower in May at the NEC. BRING IT ON!!

Exfoliate! Exfoliate! And other things I didn’t expect with bodybuilding….

That’s right folks, it’s a key part of the prep to get your skin ready for the show tan which makes perfect sense. Little did I think I’d be going out and buying a body scrub & butter when I started the journey 18 months ago.

There have been elements of detail on this ride which I hadn’t contemplated but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I get it – you worked so hard to present your best, you need to add the cherry on the top and leave no stone unturned to be ready. The driving force behind all of this is to test my will, can I do it? Have I got it in me to put my mind, body and soul through this? The 3 go hand & hand – Testing the the body’s limit, building day by day – repeatedly reminding yourself in those ‘desperate’ moments you can still up, questioning is that all you have to give and THAT subsequently transcends far beyond the gym. too.

One of the most pleasing and surprising aspects is how I’ve taken to meditation, using it to bring clarity my day ahead and channelling in what I want to achieve.

The finer details such exfoliating the skin, going to such lengths like even shaving my forearms 😂 and eating broccoli for breakfast for the last 14 weeks are just parts of a huge picture that has yes taken over a a significant part of my life for a time, but the lessons learnt, drive and push I know I could potentially apply to anything I want to achieve makes that decision to try even sweeter…

Routine, Meditation, Education…

I identified two problems I wanted to solve recently which I hoped, once answered, would provide me with more energy and knowledge!

Plain and simply…
1) I needed more sleep.
2) I wanted to get back to my objective of investing in reading a ‘book a month’ to enhance my knowledge & well being.

My energy levels were dipping in the afternoons so I had to take a step back and look at the routines, many of which I have developed around my lifestyle over the last 18 months or so.

I also wanted more time to read…but with a ‘busy’ life – where would I fit it in? The key was in the evenings. My TV viewing has decreased over the last few months but it needed to go further still if I really wanted to fit my reading ‘back in’. This is also where the sleep ties into this too. The final part of my evenings had become unpredictable – a bit of news, watching the odd repeat, none of which really enriched my own life – which is fine for the most part – BUT if I wanted change, I had to look at it.

So, a new routine has been tested with great success for 5/7 nights, ;going into the weekdays) changing simply as follows
– bed by 10,
– read until 11 or until my eyes start closing = guaranteed sleep.

What this has done is to provide me with a brighter start, which looks like this:

-Make My Bed (A great ‘box ticked’ idea from Tim Ferriss!)
-10 minutes of meditation
-Green Tea
-Eggs
-Log in to motivation & actions from Darren Daily” by Darren Hardy
-Pre Workout supplements
-Gym
-Set up for the day!!

This may seem strict BUT has given me so much value of time, more energy & knowledge overall, I’m very much more energised & relaxed for it, long may it continue!!

Changing The Diet – Part 2 – Spicy Taste Buds!

A common misconception of my diet is that it’s boring – chicken, more chicken, broccoli & sweet potato.

And yes, the aforementioned does hold a particular key place in my meals, but it doesn’t have to taste the same day in day out….That would be zzzzz – and a complaint why some couldn’t stick to it.

My coaches at Fitness Life Academy have always encouraged a variety to the diet and finding ways to mix up the foods to keep it interesting. Over the last 12 months I’ve used a range of herbs and spices with have just utterly changed my thinking of the whole “simple food” mentally – Not only have I experimented with different flavours (a new found love with coriander and slowed cooked ‘pulled’ chicken) but seemingly peculiar mixes like cinnamon and scrambled egg are in fact AWESOME! (seriously try it! Thanks Mark!)

Another is chilli and hot sauces. There are many varieties that are great for adding warming flavours to your prepared meals, lots of people have pointed me in the direction of the likes of Nandos sauce, paprika and a new favourite, Cholula chipotle hot sauce. My pallet hasn’t always taken to very well to spicy food but my belief is that whilst I’ve consumed basic foods and carefully added my own flavours, my ‘spice tolerance’ has rocketed!

Don’t get me wrong, my food isn’t drowning in it BUT the kick from the flavour brings a lot of my food alive and enhances the experience – my meals are still strict’ BUT contain a huge variety and NEVER boring!

Changing The Diet – Creating The Habit – Part 1

I’ve become increasingly fascinated how my diet affects not just on my body as a whole but particularly on my gut – Stay with me on this, it’s not as bad as it sounds.

A few years back, I couldn’t really do breakfast. Occasional cornflakes or a croissant, that was all I could stomach, I couldn’t really ever go near a fry very early BUT breakfast, I discovered (for me at least) was a mindset. (By the way, this isn’t a long winded post about the benefits for or against different setups – you go with what’s right for you – I know a few folks with certain circumstances where they have to be very careful and selective with their dietary requirements)

Back to my own choices and timings – I decided that what best suited my lifestyle was to start training early doors, more equipment available at the gym and I love the buzz of completing something before I even get to work.

With this comes the requirement to eat early – I can’t train on an empty stomach (unless I’m doing fasted cardio, but anyway) – I had to train my body to accept the early foods. To my knowledge, I haven’t shown any adverse reactions to powdered carbs, a shake and eggs 1st thing BUT that is now – it was a gradual process, bite by bite, to test my body’s capability to keep it down. I struggled for a long time, but just as with the weight training, I think the system gets used to the way you like it to operate. (BUT! Don’t get wrong, when my competitions are over there are a few pancakes and a peanut butter covered cinnamon bagel with my name on it!!)

I’ve had many comment about my food consumption ‘couldn’t eat broccoli at this time’ or my favourite ‘another roast dinner for breakfast Matt?!’ Lol

So yes I may be able to eat eggs, chicken, rice & broccoli in the mornings but it was a gradual development over time to fit the lifestyle – find what works for you!

Keep pushing folks! 👍

Protein shakes, Broccoli Birthday cakes and footy…

Yep! I’m 32 today, 32!

Age is just a number and all that, I can honestly say I get more joy from seeing Isla getting excited about it these days but hey! Great time to still celebrate and reflect on another year on this great earth.

How shall I be celebrating? Well, I’m still in prep for my 1st comp and whilst it may be tempting to have a bit of cake and a glass of fizz I’m quite content to abstain, enjoy the day with the added bonus of a re-arranged match at Bristol City tonight (3 points on my birthday is a must by the way lads! Lol) Plus, What’s not to like having a decent coffee with my post workout grub this morning!

So yes, I’ll still be settling in my seat at the stadium tonight with my chicken, sweet potato and broccoli – I’m saving a cracking bottle of red until after my comps in May!

As always, have a great day folks, Enjoy!

Goals, gifts and giving back…

A few weeks ago I was approached by BBC Radio for an interview about my bodybuilding comp. What has happened since continues to take my breath away.

Humbled by the comments, views and shares I have been approached by many individuals and also parents of those looking at adaptive training, I’ve had some really interesting questions about how I do what I do. I try out, a lot of trial and error, starting small and building, bit by bit. You adapt to your own style & the situation in front of you and give it your best shot!

Thank you to Emma, Jennie and the team at Radio Bristol, they made me feel really comfortable and confident to speak about my disability and training.

In addition, off the back of the stations video posted on their Facebook page, I had a wonderful surprise bundle of training wear sent to me from clothing brand Gymshark. (See below) I was suffice to say very emotional at such a gesture for doing something I love everyday and cannot thank them enough.

I am always thinking of ways of giving back what I have learned over the years and if I have inspired people to look at adaptive training as a result than I am delighted and proud to show my progress to the world.

I’ll continue to work and giving it my best shot, I’m currently 6 weeks from my comp date, I will continue to keep you posted!

All the best,

Matt 💪🏋🏼

The Continued Journey AND a Thank You…

Last week was a fantastic ride of emotions, not least the incredible amount of support and well wishes on my bodybuilding journey. It’s been a fantastic, humbling and in so many many ways, a positive chapter.

I was surprised, humbled and above all thankful for such a reaction to my segments about the steps I’m taking in disability bodybuilding. I’ve had a lot encouragement and support and I’ve read all the comments and tried to go through & thank everyone.

Moving forward (And that is exactly what I intend to do!) I know this is only the beginning, a statement of my intention to pursue a dream. I’m half way there to making it a reality and get on stage in April. A lot hard work has been done to build this platform by many people and I want to make them proud – my family, my friends, my coaches, they have all invested their time and support and I owe them a lot.

Coupled with the coverage last week – I start my new job this week and I cannot wait to hit the ground running…

Onwards and Upwards!

Keep pushing folks, keep fighting for that goal and get one step closer….

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1302616203128816&id=171297746260673

The lop-sided man in my mirror….

I took the decision a while back that to reach my potential on both sides of my body I needed to try and drop my self consciousness about the reality that I build muscle much faster on my right then on my left due to hemiplegia and the sheer difference in muscle fibres.

It has taken long time to fully admit to myself that this will be the case. Over the course of the summer I’ve deliberately added weight through the right training and a calorie dense diet to get some size and with that the physical changes in the mirror have provided me with joy in one sense in so much that I can see progress but also that like before, my left far more visibly reduced compared to my right and that has been tougher than I first thought it would be.

It has surprised me that I been that self conscious about this internally mainly due to the fact that it’s something that I haven’t seen before – another part of my body that has been seemingly ‘left behind’ while my right side continues to develop.

However, as I’ve tried to mentally dig myself out of the hole during these months I’ve tried to position my left side with a status of a ‘supporting role act’. I’ll try to explain…

The ability for me to lift heavier weights on my right such an EZ Bar or Shoulder Press is reliant on on good balance in part – my right NEEDS my left to help it lift – I wouldn’t be able to lift what I do without my left hand at least. Therefore – my mission is not beat the guy next to me – It’s to create the best ‘leading role’ for my right AND creating the best supporting role for my left! That way it will build muscle on both parts as far as possible, to the best of its ability.

We are all unique and by the tine I get on stage next year I’ll be bringing the best of my right AND the best of my left….

Keep pushing folks….As hard as you can, it will all be worth it…..

We are all dealt a different hand…

What we do with it is down
to us…

As I look to explain and describe living with hemiplegia – one essence that always dominates how I get around things is the deep understanding of what each side of my body can do.

Physically, the biggest difference is the size and movement – in particular my hand – it is the most visible and striking element of the structure. However, it affects the whole of my left side (my hemi side) – the calf is smaller, I can just about wiggle my toes and as I noticed when training, my hip extends far more than your ‘average’ should apparently do.

Here’s the one takeaway that only a handful of folks know – when I was growing up (and I still do this to some extent now) I often felt my left side would have its own identity from my right – like a little brother, just a smaller version, constantly trying to catch up, wanting to do the things the right did but not quite getting there as quick, Using my right to pull my left along, get it into the angle to grip a knife when eating even if it was just for appearances at the table, I didn’t want to be ‘different’.

Mentally this took its toll – it’s confusing growing up, having to constantly explain what’s ‘wrong’ with my hand – I luckily had it from birth, so that’s all I knew, saying this I’m also lucky I have parents that pushed me – not allowing the disability to exclude me from activities, I loved rugby (Townhill Junior ‘Most Reliable Player, 1996’ I thank you 😀) I also managed to toe poke and limp my way through lunchtime footy, but I loved it all the same.

The thing is this, it was and is a challenge, and after years of battling not to be different, I have accepted and embraced the disability – it is different, it is unique, but aren’t we all? I few years ago I got over my stubbornness and passed my automatic driving license 👍 a couple of years ago, I wanted to get fit – I read and was inspired by how disabled bodybuilders stepped on stage.

A new battle is taking place as I see my body changing as I train – my right is getting bigger than left – it is only natural as the muscle fibres are bigger – there will be two sides to this journey and I will bring my best efforts to both my right and my left in preparation for a competition next year!

More soon folks,

All the best,