I started physical therapy on Monday, and I have to admit, it’s been a real challenge. The exercises, which seem simple on the surface, have a way of completely wiping me out. I often find myself exhausted after each session, struggling to catch my breath and wondering how such small movements can be so demanding.
Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “What we face may look insurmountable, but what I learned is that we are always stronger than we know.” In my case, it feels like the opposite. I look at the exercises and think, "Oh, this will be easy." Yet, they turn out to be incredibly hard. Schwarzenegger also said, “The last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides a champion from someone who is not a champion. That’s what most people lack. Having the guts to go on and just say they’ll go through the pain no matter what happens.” This mindset is what keeps me going. Despite the difficulty, I push through, driven by the belief that the effort will pay off in the end.
The fatigue that follows each session is astounding. On Monday, I was completely worn out. It reminded me of a quote from my Basic Training days: “If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.” I later found out it was by Fred Devito. This quote has taken on a new meaning for me. I need my quads to be stronger, and I’m starting to appreciate the tiredness as a sign of progress. In the military, we had a saying: "embrace the suck." I’m learning to do just that, accepting the difficulty as part of the journey toward becoming stronger.
Physical therapy is tough, but it’s teaching me a lot about endurance and resilience. It’s a reminder that growth comes from pushing through the pain and fatigue. So, here’s to embracing the suck and becoming stronger, one challenging session at a time.
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