25/08/2026
“You’ll never be able to do that again.”
There was a time when doctors and surgeons would have told Sally that movements like this were impossible.
Sally has had multiple surgeries on her shoulders.
And yet here she is… doing assisted pull-ups. 💪
Is it a full bodyweight pull-up?
No.
Does that matter?
Not one bit.
Because when you've lived with pain, injuries, surgeries or limitations for years, progress isn't about comparing yourself to someone else.
It's about asking:
“What can I do today that I couldn't do before?”
For Sally, being able to perform this movement at all is nothing short of a miracle.
And it's not because we found some magic exercise.
It's because of consistency, patience and the right approach to training.
The same principle applies to chronic back pain.
You don't necessarily need to stop moving.
You don't need to be afraid of exercise.
And you certainly don't need to accept that being in pain means you can never get stronger, fitter or more capable again.
Sometimes the goal isn't to completely eliminate every sensation of pain.
The goal is to understand your body, build capacity, manage your symptoms and gradually give yourself the confidence to do more.
That's what pain-free performance is about.
Training smarter, not simply harder.
If you're between 45–65 and you've been dealing with lower back pain for months or even years, I want you to know this:
Your current limitations don't have to define what you're capable of in the future.
👇 COMMENT “BACK” below if chronic back pain is currently stopping you from doing things you want to do.
I'll send you some information on how I approach training for people dealing with persistent pain.
And if you know someone who's convinced that their best days are behind them…
TAG THEM IN THIS POST.
Because sometimes people don't need another painkiller, another quick fix or another generic exercise programme.
They just need someone to show them that progress is still possible.
