The undying spirit to be the best: part 2

In the part 2 I want to share with you about determination and how being determined fosters an undying spirit to be the best. As I was sitting in my car looking at the MRI for a brief moment thoughts raced through my mind about whether I would compete again, whether I would be able to lift again. I even thought about quitting as an option.

Deciding to change my outcome

Yes, I had a herniated disc inside me. Yes I had sciatica. Yes I had stenosis. I knew my present condition was serious and had two choices to make: 1. remain in this state and be forever labeled as someone with a bad back. 2: overcome my injuries and move forward. I chose option 2. I didn't know how I was going to do it but I refused to live the rest of my life with a label of a 'bad back.'

Recovery/rehab

It took me about 2 months of recovery which meant no heavy lifting compressing my back that could jeopardize my herniated disc from healing. I got creative with certain lifts to maintain some leg strength such as using belts with chains to squat. In addition, I discovered using the reverse hyper.
I was doing my research that the reverse hyper opens and closes the discs to accelerate healing of the discs. Louie Simmons used the reverse hyper to heal his back. I can tell you that the reverse hyper saved my back. As I write this article my back is all healed up and living pain free. No more sciatica, no more stenosis, no more pain. Best of all, I'm lifting heavy again. Back to squats, front squats and I even competed again on the platform and have qualified for the 2015 Olympic lifting season for nationals and the world championship. Obviously, I have had to change my technique and improve it so that I don't relapse into back pain again. This was a daily task that involved repetitive movements using light weights to carve out an efficient movement pattern to maximize results. 

Supplements
Lastly, the supplements I have been using during the recovery phase are glucosamine condriotin and sulfate. Using about 2,000mgs of each has shown in a research study to regenerate spinal discs and cartilage. Click Here for research paper. In addition, supplementing with Vitamin C helps to restore damaged tissue and supports tissue regeneration.

Final thoughts
What is all boils down to to be the best is choice. Deciding to persevere when it looks like the odds are against you is the hardest part but everything can be overcome. Deciding to quit is a choice. NOTHING IS EVER ABSOLUTE!!!!! Let that sink in. Everybody, and I mean everybody heals.

Coach Cano