Setbacks and identity

I confess my recent humbling attempts to start upper body exercise again have had me questioning some fundamentals of my identity.

Joy and pride in getting stronger has been a really important part of my fitness journey, and something that has motivated me to start building up my skills to offer personal training.

These last few months with a frozen shoulder have been a frustrating setback.

There have been moments when I’ve thought, who am I to think I can be a PT? I can’t even hold a plank for 10 seconds.

But looked at differently, these months will make me a better PT.

Because it has taught me what it is to feel frustrated with your body, embarrassed by things you feel you should be able to do. I know how it feels to have a physical condition hit you out of nowhere and make self care tasks as basic as brushing your hair become challenging.

And I also know how to start building my strength again. Putting all the theory I have learned from my PT training into practice. Treading that narrow path between not enough and too much.

Being a PT isn’t about how strong I am right now. It’s about knowing the path get stronger well enough that I can help others do the same.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some work to do.