MS Fitness Challenge

06/10/2026

Honored to be recognized as part of the Forttuna Global 100: THE POWER LIST 2026, a prestigious recognition that celebrates the most influential leaders across the globe shaping the future of excellence, innovation, and impact.

This milestone is a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership and the collective efforts of everyone who has been part of my journey. Too many to mention individually. Grateful for the trust, collaboration, and continued support that make such recognition possible.

A big thank you to The Forttuna Group for this honor. Most importantly, I thank my wife, Kendra, for standing by me through this journey, and to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for keeping me on earth another day to do His work.

Let’s continue to lead with vision, integrity, and impact.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/theforttunagroup/

05/28/2026

I hate to see a post from a PT "Dr." talking about how basic, low-intensity repetition is the way to create neuroplasticity for those of us with MS. Of course, she doesn't have MS so all her information is from what she read in books. The true catalyst for neuroplasticity is BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) and it is NOT created the way she stated in her post today.

Here's the truth about Why Low-Intensity Repetition Falls Short of True Neuroplasticity

While it’s great to see awareness growing around neuroplasticity, suggesting that casual marching or leg kicks are the optimal path to rewiring the nervous system misses the most critical piece of the puzzle: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

Neuroplasticity doesn't happen just because a movement is repeated; it happens when the brain is biochemically primed to change.

1. Repetition Without Intensity is Just Spinning Your Wheels
Doing endless, low-load functional repetitions throughout the day might maintain a current baseline, but it lacks the necessary stimulus to force neurological adaptation. To build new neural pathways around damaged areas, you need a massive surge of BDNF—the "miracle-gro" for the brain.

2. The Science of BDNF Demands High Threshold Stimulus
Clinical research consistently shows that the most potent trigger for systemic BDNF release isn't light, casual movement. It is high-intensity resistance training and high-threshold motor unit recruitment.

Light leg kicks do not demand enough neurological effort to force the brain to adapt.

Intense, targeted resistance training forces the central nervous system to recruit dormant muscle fibers, signaling an urgent need for the brain to forge new pathways.

3. Focus-Driven Training vs. Mindless Reps

True neuroplasticity requires the intersection of absolute cognitive focus and mechanical overload. When you utilize Focus Driven Training (FDT) methodologies, you aren't just going through the motions of a daily chore. You are intentionally forcing intense communication between the mind and the muscle under load. That demand is what causes the nervous system to adapt, rebuild, and overcome.

If you want real, measurable progress in strength and coordination, don't just practice compromised movements. Fuel the brain's ability to change by giving it a high-intensity, focus-driven reason to do so.

JOIN Matt Rowe and David Lyons in the our award-winning, doctor-endorsed OptimalBody-OptimalMind program at

Developed by National Fitness Hall of Fame inductee, David Lyons - a world leading fitness expert for anti-aging, longevity and chronic conditions. The

05/19/2026

Staying Ahead of the Game: Why I’m Heading Back to DVC Stem

If you’ve been following my journey, you know I don't believe in letting Multiple Sclerosis dictate my life. As we age, the fight changes, but the goal remains the same: stay ahead of the progression. That’s why I am officially heading back to Grand Cayman for another round of stem cell treatment at DVC Stem.
To understand why I trust them with my life, you have to know where I started.

Years ago, I was training hard using my OptimalBody methods. I was getting stronger, increasing my mobility, and pushing past every limitation. On the outside, it looked like I was beating MS. But underneath, I was dealing with a massive roadblock: I had absolutely zero feeling in my left arm and leg. It was just a constant storm of pain, numbness, and tingling. I couldn't feel a thing when someone touched my limbs, I couldn't feel objects in my hand, and I couldn't even feel the floor beneath my left foot.
I tried using my own stem cells back in 2014, and honestly? It did nothing.

Then came the turning point. In 2018, DVC Stem was launching a clinical study on the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells. I flew down to the Cayman Islands and was incredibly honored to be Patient #1.

The results? Nothing short of a miracle. That first treatment brought the feeling back to my left leg. Suddenly, I could feel the floor again. I could actually feel the movements I was executing, allowing me to build even deeper strength. Because cells naturally target the areas of highest inflammation, my leg absorbed them all, leaving my arm still numb. So, I went back in 2020 for round two—and DVC Stem did it again. The feeling in my left arm returned.
That is the power of advanced, world-class stem cell therapy. It targets what traditional options can't touch.

The Next Chapter -- Lately, MS has been trying to throw some new punches. Recent MRIs showed a few new lesions over the past six years, and I’ve been battling some new nerve pain and eyesight issues. I’m not waiting around for things to get worse. I’m proactive.

I’m heading back to DVC Stem to halt this progression right in its tracks and clear up these new symptoms. Plus, while my 2020 treatment brought back my arm, it didn't quite make it down to my left hand. I’m holding onto the vision that this next round of cells is going to finish the job and repair that final piece.

If you or a loved one are fighting a chronic condition and looking for a real, cutting-edge breakthrough, I cannot recommend the team at DVC Stem enough. They gave me my body back, and now they're helping me keep it.

Grand Cayman, see you soon. Let's get to work. 💪🔥 https://www.dvcstem.com

Rob Hancock

Stem cell treatment clinic located in Grand Cayman. Our stem cells clinic in the Cayman Islands is currently conducting patient-funded phase II/III clinical trials utilizing culture-expanded umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs).

05/05/2026

I am featured in MSN magazine. Honored to still be relevant at 67 years old.

The business landscape of 2026 is being shaped by a new generation of leaders who are not only driving growth but redefining what it means to lead with purpose. These empowering leaders stand out for their ability to inspire teams,…

04/23/2026

Our MS Fitness Challenge: The Journey is still rocking the film festivals, being selected for viewing, and winning awards. Here's the latest... https://optimalbodyfitness.vhx.tv/

04/15/2026

Our documentary is still winning awards! Watch it here -
https://optimalbodyfitness.vhx.tv/

02/25/2026

Stop Taking "Battle Advice" From People Who Aren't In The Trenches

There is a massive difference between studying a war and fighting one.

Lately, the internet is flooded with "expert" advice on how to handle a neurological setback. They tell you to "review your hydration," "process your frustration," and "receive" the reality of your body failing you. It sounds calm. It sounds clinical. It sounds like someone who has never woken up with legs that don't work or a brain fog so thick they can’t remember their own phone number.

If you haven't lived with the symptoms, your advice is empty.

When you don’t live with MS, a "setback" is just a word. To those of us in the fight, it’s a direct hit to our lives, our families, and our independence. You cannot "coach" someone through a storm you’ve never stood in.

The Reality of the Fight
Let’s be clear about what real resilience looks like:

It’s Not a Checklist: True grit isn’t found in a "to-do" list of sleeping better or drinking more water. That’s basic maintenance, not a solution for a neurological fire.

It’s Pure Survival: You don't "choose" to get back up because some "expert" gave you a pep talk. You get up because you refuse to let this condition own you. It’s not a polite "adjustment"—it’s a grueling, painful, everyday climb that requires a level of mental toughness most people will never possess.

The "Expert" Gap: If you aren't living with the unpredictable chaos of a neurological condition, stop acting like you understand the exhaustion. Empathy is one thing; acting like an authority on a struggle you don't share is an insult to those of us who do.

To the Real Warriors
If you’re tired of hearing "hollow" advice from people who have no skin in the game, you’re right to be. Your frustration isn't something to be "processed"—it’s fuel.

Don’t let someone who has never felt the fire tell you how to survive the heat. The only advice that matters comes from those who are in the dirt with you, fighting the same battle every single day.

We don't need "tips." We need results. We need grit. And we sure as hell don't need lectures from the sidelines.

02/16/2026

MS Sleep: It’s Not Just "Stress"—It’s Neurological.

We’ve all seen the advice: “Just breathe deeply and your nervous system will magically shut down.”

If only it were that simple, right?

When you’re living with MS, "bad sleep" isn't just about being stressed or being "stuck in fight-or-flight." It’s often about demyelination, nerve signaling, and physical symptoms that don't care how many 8-second exhales you do.

Let’s Get Real About the "Big Words"

Some "experts" love to talk about uprogu-whatchamacallit (upregulating the parasympathetic system). But here is the truth they won't tell you:

Stretching isn’t a Cure-All: While gentle movement is great, telling someone with severe spasticity or RLS to "just stretch it out" can actually trigger more spasms if not done correctly.

It’s Not Just "In Your Head": Sleep issues in MS are often structural. Lesions in the brainstem or disruptions in melatonin production can’t always be fixed with a "pre-bedtime routine."

The "Vicious Cycle" Trap: You aren't "failing" at resting because you haven't mastered fancy breathing techniques. You're managing a complex neurological condition.

A Better Way to Rest

Instead of over-complicating things with "nerve downshifting," let’s focus on manageable wins:

Manage the Symptoms, Not Just the "Vibes": Address the bladder urgency or the neuropathic pain directly with your neuro. You can't meditate through a bladder that thinks it's full every 20 minutes.

Cool the Core: MS often messes with temperature regulation. Forget just "cooling the room"—focus on cooling your body temperature to help those nerves settle.

Ditch the Guilt: If you’re awake at 2:00 AM, stop stressing about "not being in recovery mode." Sometimes, accepting the wakefulness is less taxing on your system than fighting it.

The Bottom Line: You don’t need a PhD in biology to understand your own body. You need practical tools that work in the real world—not just in a textbook.

We do things differently here. No fluff, just MS life. https://optimalbody-optimalmind.com/

01/17/2026

I'm featured in this addition...

Running slow or crashing? Time for an update. Install Lifestyle Media Group's 2026 magazines for optimum performance.

12/23/2025