3 Year Shoulder Anniversary
Well....another year has passed....so time for an update!
1st, I have had more messages this year than every before from people in a similar situations...young, active, bad shoulders who are frustrated and lost. I love getting these messages. I remember feeling so lost when I was going through this....there was just no info out there so I felt like I was blindly going through it... hence, all the posts I have done! I am glad I have been able to be a resource for people in similar situations! Please...keep messaging!
Now...for the update! LOTS has happened this year and I can honestly say I am not sure any of it would had I not had the unfortunate shoulder situation (if you are not sure what the situation was, start HERE then go HERE - there are lots of others...but that is where you should start 😉). So what is the lots of stuff...well....I left my clinic PT job so go on my own and HAD A BABY! I feel like that is alot since my last update! When I say I'm not sure those things wouldn't have happened without the shoulder replacement....I really mean that! Let's say my first surgery was super successful and my shoulder was perfect- I surely would have kept competing and that would have been my focus! I don't think I would have been driven to go out on my own and would have stayed on birth control (that is for another post...). So- I guess you could kind of say I am thankful for this metal shoulder because it led me to where I am today. It also surely made me a better PT and coach.
So...how is the shoulder?
It's really good! I would say I don't think about it everyday and really don't feel limited by it! I am not back to a ton of stuff since the baby (at least not challenging shoulder stuff) - but I will say I can demo all kinds of lifting stuff when coaching without even really warming up. I can hang without problems. I can do handstands....and true to what I like to do every year on the anniversary wanted to challenge this shoulder- so did a 1 arm handstand on my right arm and I could do it!! A couple months back I did some single arm OHS on that right arm....which was challenging, but I was able! I also can carry Vivi, lift her car seat, throw her in the air, really everything! I do keep up with my PT strength and will notice a little more soreness if I don't...but I think that is normal with any major injury!
Over the next handful of months I will get back to working more challenging fitnessing....I still hope there is a muscle-up again in my future!
I think I have been pretty honest about the mental recovery after all that....and that has been good too. I think if I was still insistent on fitness being my top priority- that might not be the case....but I am proud of how I have really worked to develop other areas of my life! I am more balanced, happy, and keep finding new interests! Do I have times I get sad- for sure! Watching the CrossFit Games or weightlifting meets gets me a little sad sometimes....but as time passes less and less.
I do feel like I got handed a super crap hand with this shoulder- but I also think that led me to a really great life now. Can I say I am thankful for it....not sure I can go that far....but close! Maybe next year 😜
