Ageing...

So as most of you all know, it was my birthday 2 weeks ago... Birthdays are weird for me, and I never seem to get that excited about them. This year was no different because on Saturday, 1 June, at 06:00 I was at the gym for my usual Saturday clients. However, I had some surprises waiting for me and my clients all spoilt me on this particular birthday. 

I, of course, repaid everyone that entire week with the '28 reps for 28 years of Ty" workout. It left a lot of clients hating my birthday, and dreading my next birthday!

The gifts I received in my birthday week weren't wrapped...

• A client that has been with me for years, finally achieved the feat of coming to gym twice more on top of our sessions, for 4 weeks straight
• A client with terrible mobility issues because of an accident many years ago, managed to squat to the ground for the first time. Something he has been battling with for 2 years now
• A client, who is an ex addict, managed to put on 12kgs of muscle in our 3 months together, reaching and surpassing his 6 month goal in half the time
• A client who has battled with 'desk-jockey slump shoulders', could stand upright with no pain for the first time since varsity
• A male client who couldn't deadlift 40kg without suffering back spasms, pulled 110kg with no issues and perfect form
• A client who has struggled with weight loss, and just general weakness since her second child 3 years ago, lost 6kgs and can now jump, move, do spidey crawls, and squat to the ground. Never mind deadlift 90kgs...
• A couple that I train ran The Great Wall of China Marathon!!! Yes there is a race that runs up the steps of the wall
• A group of 4 that I train have been getting stronger by the week, and now do more than 1,5 X their PBs from 2 months ago
• A client who had a knee op 12 years, and was petrified of jumping, managed to jump onto 3 steps

All of these small victories, and a couple more all came about in my birthday week, however the biggest gift I received, came from Elize.And no, it wasn't the cupcake she came in to deliver for me. At 58 she started training with her 2 daughters, but quickly realised that she needed a bit more attention from me. 

With this we started our journey of seeing each other once a week, and then me giving her a bit of homework for the rest of the week. In my birthday week she came up to me and gave me a hug... "Guess what I did today?" she said. In my way I basically said something inappropriate and naughty. She responded and said, "Ja that too. But last night, for the first time in years I managed to take off my shoes and socks without having to sit down, have a shower, wash my entire body without nearly falling or having to hold onto a railing" 

This little story was one that I am not used to. It caught me completely off guard, and left me a bit emo and soppy inside. It felt really good to make a difference in that way. I think sometimes I lose sight of why some people train. It's not always to get that bikini body, or huge guns. The training we do now sets us up for a life where we don't have to worry about things like picking up the cat, or taking off your shoes. Keep that in mind guys...

I know it is awesome to be in amazing shape, and obviously we all want that, but the health benefits short and long term outweigh looking good in a bikini after a 12 week binge diet. Keep smashing, and keep getting stronger!!!