#32 - Inspirational Interview | Overcoming Chronic Pain & Identity Loss Through Barbell Training

Chronic pain, injury, and illness often holds people back from being physically active and participating in competitive or recreational sports. This may lead to identity loss, depression, and poor health. Medical doctors frequently warn people against barbell training with such considerations, but in fact, barbell training is one of the few things that can positively impact change long term.   Our goal with bringing on some of our clients is to share their unique stories, experiences with barbell training, and how their training has impacted their lives positively despite the negative medical narratives and belief systems surrounding barbell strength training in hopes that it inspires even just one person out there.    In this series of interviews each episode consists of a PRS client sharing their journey of overcoming injuries and illnesses, recovering from surgeries, and navigating changes in their lives and the role that barbell training has played throughout this process for each of them. These are just a handful of our clients that are truly inspiring and motivating and we hope that sharing their stories will inspire you, your patients or clients, or your family to incorporate barbell training into your life or continue barbell training during challenging times.   In this interview, we sat down and spoke with PRS client Keri who has been active since she was a swimmer in high school. After becoming a mother of two, Keri picked up ultra running and triathlons which she enjoyed very much but over time, the long hours, hard sessions, and poor recovery and nutrition took a toll on her overall enjoyment of the sport and physical health. Unrelated to endurance training, Keri has a history of chronic joint pain with genetic rheumatic conditions that affect her knees, back, and eyes and most recently experienced a major knee injury. After receiving conflicting information about her diagnosis from multiple doctors she felt lost and depressed.   We're sharing Keri's story to highlight how our athletic endeavors, motivations, and enjoyment ebb, flow and change across the lifespan and how barbell strength training has reinvigorated her, improved her mental and physical health, and sets an example for her young daughters, despite the various medical conditions she's been diagnosed with.  If you're enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.   Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery    Got questions or guests you'd like to hear on the show? Submit them here: https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59    Get in touch with the show! Web: https://www.progressiverehabandstrength.com Email: [email protected] Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs