One lesson for injured lifters, every Monday
Short, direct writing on pain, load and getting back to heavy lifting. Read every issue here, or get the next one in your inbox.
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Quinn deadlifted 585 pounds last week. He’s got a powerlifting competition next weekend. His first meet since last February — the day he deadlifted 600 and tore his bicep clean…
Most lifters use two rules during recovery: Pain = stop No pain = go It feels logical. It’s also why progress stalls. Because rebuilding tolerance does not happen at zero…
There’s a moment every injured lifter reaches: When rest has failed. When rehab hasn’t delivered. When fear hangs heavier than the barbell. And the question becomes: Do I accept a…
Latest issues
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Fitness isn’t just about barbells—it’s about saying yes to life’s adventures.
I just got back from a few weeks traveling Canada’s East Coast—hiking cliffs, scrambling over rocks, climbing up to viewpoints you can’t reach by car. And it hit me: this is…
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The 3 Most Overrated Rehab Exercises (and What to Do Instead)
Let’s be honest—some exercises are popular because they look good on Instagram, not because they create real change. Here are 3 of the most overrated rehab exercises I see people…
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How to Keep Training When Your Back Acts Up
If you’ve ever “thrown your back out,” you know how tempting it is to just stop moving altogether. But here’s the thing: complete rest usually doesn’t help. In fact, it usually…
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Rehab is not a service. It’s a skill.
Traditional rehab sells you a feeling: Relief. Reassurance. A little bit of progress — just enough to come back next week. What they don’t sell you? Independence. Here’s the…
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If it feels easy, it’s not working.
You finished your workout and thought, “That wasn’t so bad.” Wrong reaction. Here’s a harsh truth nobody wants to admit: Progress feels like work. If it feels easy… you’re…
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Pain-Free Is Not The Goal
If you’re pain-free, you’re good to go… right? That’s what I used to think, too. And it’s what most physios still tell their clients. But here’s the truth: “Pain-free” is just…
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The rehab advice that kept me broken for 18 months
In 2017, I herniated a disc while lifting a heavy snatch. Sciatica, back spasms, the whole package. Saw three different physios. They all said the same thing: “You need to rest….
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“I thought I was in shape”…famous last words.
Let me tell you about E. Mid-30s. Works full-time at a desk. Jogs once or twice a week. Walks the dog. Plays summer soccer every year. Moves well. Feels “active enough.” Then…
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Is Overhead Pressing Dangerous?
Earlier this week, I had a fascinating conversation with a client. They were confident doing pull-ups—but told me they felt pressing overhead was “too dangerous.” Same vertical…
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Muscle is your retirement plan — and the best time to invest is now.
Most people train for the summer. For the mirror. For the scale. But if you’re anything like me—or like the people I coach—you’ve realized there’s something bigger at stake: Your…
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You’re not too old. You’re just undertrained.
“I used to be able to do that. Must be my age.” I hear this every week. I’m going to tell you the truth no one wants to say out loud: It’s…
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Aim To Do Things Poorly. I’m Serious.
Waiting for the perfect plan?The perfect time? The perfect technique? Spoiler alert: Perfection is a myth. And chasing it is a recipe for staying stuck. There’s no such thing as…
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