I thought I would take some time out and embellish on my forced rehabilitations and subsequent route to being a personal trainer, and how I can transfer and implement what I have learnt to helping clients…..

Over the last couple of weeks, I have had a few conversations with clients over my unwanted collection. Unfortunately for me this is not a collection of stamps, corgi toys or Star Wars figures, but the collection of scars, screws, metalwork and stitches, which make up the patchwork of my legs and arms. These were acquired in two painful mechanical alterations.

What I aim to illustrate by sharing this, is that the journey we undertake, be it to lose weight, to gain muscle, to get fitter, to get healthier, to regain health after hospitalization or surgery, can be obtained overcoming obstacles, both mental and physical. The journey may be long and may be hard, but ultimately rewarding when you accomplish your aims, and can be life changing.

I can take you back to a night 15 years ago, when I stepped off a kerb and in a split second my life was changed. The car was through me in an even quicker amount of time, and myself and the ambulance crew were literally left picking up the pieces .What followed was many hours in surgery, and my leg and not to mention my life was saved.

What followed was a two month hospital stay, another month more in a wheelchair, then many months of hydrotherapy and then physiotherapy. I can say that I did it all without ever saying the word no to any of my physios. The pain was immense, but muscles, tendons and ligaments got stronger and movement patterns regained. 

Perseverance and support were vital, whilst trying not to lose my rag with the usual “could have been worse” and “give it time”. It is key to have a goal and that does indeed take time, but you have to have micro steps and concentrate on the here and now. All the micro steps will eventually lead up to the main goal being achieved. We can all apply this to most things in life, health, career and monetary aims and goals.

I have three limbs screwed and plated, an unattached ACL in my left knee as well as knee reconstruction, and whilst a career in leg modelling or any athletic aspirations are long out the window, I move freely and have not considered anything out of bounds. My surgeon's handiwork was indeed tested with a bungee jump, a year or so after, and all held firm!

Cameras on phones were still on the design table when I had my first accident. However my latest brush with the tarmac happened in January 2019, and so the photos relate to that.

A faulty scooter on the tiny island of Siquijor in the Philippines, led to an abrupt visit to hospital, three days into a three week holiday. After being picked up in an “ambulance” with comedy non closing back doors, which led to Nina holding onto the trolley so I did not fly out the back in a comedy situation not befitting the situation. After peering into my knee with thoughts of having to raise £100k through fundraisers to get repatriated, my knee was finally sewn back together in the islands tiny tiny hospital. Due to previous injuries, my right leg quickly gained a haematoma and walking was agony. Burns from the bikes exhaust, which was lying across my leg whilst I came to, and cuts sustained to the left knee and foot made bending that leg near impossible too. Wooden 1930’s crutches were issued, which the screws routinely made their way out of, adding a new variety of danger into the mix.

After being cleared to fly back to England, the flight went without a hitch. However after a couple of days back in England all was not well. An ambulance was called and I was carted off back to hospital, to deal with the multiple pesky blood clots which had now formed on my lungs. Three nights in hospital and I was out. A much shorter stay than my previous effort, but with still a long road to recovery. Getting back on my feet was slowed considerably by the blood thinners I was on, to dispel my clots and so no over exertion was the order.

But I did get back on my feet, and back to the gym, and started my rehab on my knee, which took a good four months, and much gritting of teeth.

The point I am labouring, is that it can be done, not once, but twice and more times if needed. We don't always know what we can achieve until adversity or the will to make a change forces our hands. I write this not to highlight my struggles, but to express that I know what it is like to have an objective and set my sights on achieving it. I know the pain and hurdles in the way, and certainly have empathy, support and adulation for those who look to change themselves for the thousands of various reasons that are expressed. On a cold morning, my legs may need an extra five minutes before springing into action, but they are dependable as am I!

If you feel that you are at the start of a journey, or want to talk about getting started and have uncertainties, then I would love to hear from you. So please contact me, and we can map out the right path for you, and navigate hurdles and obstacles together.

Ben Beale is a mobile Personal Trainer living In Paulton, who travels out to clients in the surrounding towns and villages, and cities of Bath and Bristol.