12/06/2026
Not your usual before & after…
In December 2025, Joe received an unexpected Christmas present: an Epigastric Hernia. 🎁🫠
After being rushed into surgery, his main goal was simple — recover well enough to still compete at the European Korfball Championships in February 2026.
That meant facing recovery head on. 📈
What recovery looked like:
• 6 weeks away from training
• Taking extra care during PT sessions
• Gradually rebuilding with cardio, light isolation exercises, and a very cautious return to lifting
• No heavy compound movements
The physical impact:
There were changes in body composition, a drop in strength and stamina, and plenty of frustration along the way. Thankfully, years of consistent strength training helped minimise muscle loss and gave Joe a solid foundation to rebuild from. 🏋️
The mental impact:
This was the real challenge.
His routine disappeared overnight. His favourite stress-relief tool was gone. A huge part of his lifestyle was suddenly taken away.
It was a powerful reminder that training is about so much more than how you look. It’s about physical health, mental wellbeing, confidence, routine, and resilience. 🤯
Joe’s biggest takeaways:
❤️ Appreciate a healthy body while you have it
❤️ See training as a privilege, not a chore
❤️ Build a strong foundation — you’ll be grateful for it when life throws challenges your way
Recovery isn’t always a straight line, but consistency, patience, and good habits will always pay you back.
Amazing work, Joe - you are an inspiration. 💪❤️🩹
