12/13/2025
‼️Client Spotlight/Success Story‼️:
Nikki: 40 years young, mother of 2, dealing with a debilitating recent orthopedic nightmare!! 😨
Nikki contacted me and said that she had never strength trained before, wanted to, but didn’t know where to start and being a wife, a small business owner, and a home schooling mom to 2 young children her time was valuable with none to waste! More importantly, Nikki said that just 5 weeks prior she had a haphazard fall in which she fractured her elbow pretty extensively and was just 4 weeks post-op at the time. Nikki said this was a reality check of just how important strong bones and quality muscle were and she was more than determined and ready to get to work! 💪🏼.
Nikki asked, “Are you able to help me now or do I need to wait until I’m more healed from surgery before strength training?” This is where I explained that when using a science based, precise, joint friendly strength training protocol in which a extensive knowledge of physical therapy and athletic training is involved, that I could actually start safely working with her right away. Contrary to the typical recommendations to avoid strength training for 8-12 weeks following a fracture and surgery, and where most personal trainers would be too nervous or unsure of how to go about working with someone in this condition, my experience in orthopedic cases to know that a “specific” type of guided strength training can actually speed up and improve bone healing and bone strength, while simultaneously regaining muscle strength and neuromuscular function!🤯 💯.
I will admit, at first Nikki’s injured arm was in bad shape despite the normal physical therapy she had been doing. This was a big concern and frustration for Nikki, and rightfully so! This was definitely one of the freshest and more extensive cases of all the injury cases I had seen over this past year. Where I see a challenge and some hurdles to climb, I get excited because THIS is where science based strength training truly becomes ELITE and where all my years of knowledge and application get to come out in full force! 💥… From day 1 we went to work (TWO - 25 min custom sessions per week) where I created ways and technique accommodations to allow Nikki’s injured arm to still safely engage in highly effective intense muscular contractions with full range of motion. Let’s not forget this was all also PAIN FREE and without any RE-INJURY. In just the first 5 sessions - in less than 3 weeks Nikki’s visible improvements were amazing and she was feeling stronger than ever and optimistic that this injury would soon be a distant memory! By the time we approached sessions #10-12 Nikki could nearly fully straighten her injured arm again and her whole body was losing body fat while creating new, solid lean muscle tissue! To boot, especially for never strength training before, Nikki not only trains with flawless form, but she trains HARD, following every cue and technique I show her! Woops, I almost forgot to mention that Nikki felt and saw the value in this so much that driving 30 minutes each way was more than worth it to her!
Now, with 15 sessions in about 2 months under her belt, just 12 weeks post-op, Nikki’s original injury/surgery limitations are a thing of the past!! Mind blowing especially from an orthopedic stand point!! … Just the other day Nikki told me she had her 2nd post surgery follow up with the original surgeon who was amazed at her recovery and told her, “You don’t need physical therapy, JUST stick with your trainer!” 😎
This folks, taking the extreme cases and highlighting how safe, powerful, and highly effective science based efficient strength training can be is what keeps me going! Helping people defy logic, beat the odds, and coming out healthier and better than they were before is what it’s all about. What a honor and privilege that Nikki entrusted me at her most vulnerable physical point in her life and as a result of her doing so she is well on her way to her BEST SELF! 👏🙌🏼
🔹Check out what Nikki has to say:🔹
After experiencing a very complex elbow injury that required surgery and an implant, I began working with Mark at Real Strength by Science just four weeks post-op. My mobility was extremely limited, and I had strict weight-bearing restrictions. From day one, Mark made my safety and comfort his top priority. His science-based approach allowed him to tailor every session around my medical limitations while still helping me rebuild strength in a safe and controlled way.
One of the most impressive parts of this process was learning how building muscle played a crucial role in healing my bone. Mark explained how properly targeted strength training increases blood flow, stimulates bone remodeling, and provides support to the injured area—all of which helped speed up my recovery. His ability to apply this science in a practical, injury-aware way made all the difference.
After just 15 sessions—25 minutes each, twice a week—my progress has been remarkable. My surgeon is thrilled with my recovery and said his only recommendation moving forward is to continue my strength training with Mark. My bone is healed, my mobility has returned, and I feel stronger and more capable than I did even before my injury.
I truly believe Mark’s knowledge, precision, and commitment to evidence-based training were key to my outcome. I’m beyond grateful and highly recommend him to anyone seeking safe, effective, scientifically grounded training—especially if you're recovering from an injury!