In August 2012, I tore the labrum in my right shoulder in a jackhammering incident. I experienced a sharp, stabbing pain every time I reached for something or tried to lift anything heavier than a coffee cup. I had a constant dull ache between my shoulder blades, day and night. I couldn’t exercise or do anything active with my mates or girlfriend, Domino. I struggled to concentrate on my studies, my patience was wearing thin, and worst of all, I noticed I was starting to get sad, and I wasn’t a sad person. I attended weekly physio for six months to try and rehabilitate my shoulder, **but to no avail**. I ended up having shoulder surgery in February 2013.

After eight months of rehab, I had built my strength back to a point where I could begin weight training again. In the first week back in the gym, I tore the labrum in my left shoulder doing pull-ups.

The surgeon said that I had a genetic predisposition to labrum tears due to the anatomy of my shoulder joint. He said that it would be best if I gave up the sport and heavy-weight training from now on, as the risk of re-injury post-surgery would be too great. This was heartbreaking to hear as a 22-year-old with dreams of being a fitness expert. I tried another six months of rehab **but to no avail**. I had surgery on my left shoulder shortly after.

This was the lowest of the lows. I felt like I was fighting a losing battle; I started to think that I wasn’t meant to be a fit person. I felt like giving up on health and fitness and pursuing a new career. How could my clients take me seriously if I couldn’t get fit and stay injury-free? I quit my Personal Training job in the city and moved home with my parents.

My parents and Domino supported me in every way that they could while I recovered from my second surgery: financially, physically, and emotionally. I couldn’t work or exercise, but I had time to think.

The biggest problem was that I couldn’t get the advice I desperately needed, which was how to continue training when I was injured. The surgeon specialised in surgery, and the physio specialised in rehab, but neither specialised in strength and conditioning. I had the strength and conditioning knowledge but not the rehab knowledge to ensure I was training safely without risking re-injury. Both advised me to hold off on training until my injuries fully recovered. This is where I discovered the gap.

I had never given up on anything and wasn’t about to start now. I turned my attention online, looking for hope and answers. Some people had suffered far more serious injuries than me and managed to overcome them. Some people couldn’t manage to overcome their injuries and still suffered from pain and disability.

It was at that moment that I had my epiphany.

I wanted to be one of those inspirational people who overcame their injuries and achieved their goals in the face of adversity. I wanted to gain the skills and knowledge to rehabilitate injuries and continue training simultaneously so that I never lost my fitness again. Not only that, I wanted to become an expert in training and rehabilitation so that I could help others who were going through the same thing as me.

I aimed for the Master of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney, one of the top-ranked physiotherapy programs in the world. To have a chance of getting in, I was told I’d have to achieve a high distinction average grade over my three-year bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science. Only a few positions were given each year, and competition was high. I gave it everything, and I got the grade. I applied and got in. It was the proudest moment of my life. I packed my bags and never looked back.

Fast forward to now:

I have 14 years of experience working in gyms, private clinics, and hospitals across Melbourne, Sydney, and Queensland. Throughout my career, I’ve helped thousands of people manage their pain, injuries, and disabilities, empowering them to train confidently and effectively. Today, I run my online physiotherapy and fitness coaching service, Train Around Pain.

I have rehabilitated my shoulders back to 100%. At the age of 33, I am stronger and fitter than I have ever been. I can do everything that makes me happy, especially lifting weights, running, surfing, and travelling the world with my wife, Domino.

I have gained a unique set of skills and experience that allows me to continue training safely and effectively around pains, niggles, and injuries as they arise, and my business is helping my clients do the same so that they can maintain their health, fitness, and happiness.

We all face challenges in life. We don’t choose what happens to us, but we do choose how we respond. We can let our challenges and struggles wear us down and break us, or we can use them as an opportunity to learn, grow, and shape our futures for the better.

The challenges you’re going through right now can be the best thing that ever happened to you — if you choose them to be.