Hello everyone, it's been a while! I’ve had an insane few months to say the least. My apologies for the lack of content here.
Since getting my blue belt I started a new job. I stuck with it for about 3 months but eventually decided that it wasn’t for me and ended up moving back to my previous job. During those 3 months and continuing through to now I’ve had almost non-stop health issues.
A fortnight into the new job I went on a holiday to Adelaide in South Australia. I had a great time and even got engaged! On the way back to Perth my left ear didn’t pop or adjust when descending to land so for two weeks I had massive head pains, nausea, dizziness and trouble sleeping. I missed about two weeks of training and when I finally got back to the gym I zigged when I should have zagged and took an elbow to the head. This blow caused a concussion and over the next 6 weeks I had more migraines than Id had in the last few years combined.
During this time I tried so many things to try and ease the migraines and constant headaches. Deep tissue massage along my neck and back, a visit to the optometrist where I learned I need glasses and even changes to my diet. I was lined up to see a Neurologist bit the wait for that was massive. Eventually my doctor prescribed Endep, which is a anti-depressant as well as a neurological painkiller. This seemed to stop the headaches but replaced them with ravenous hunger, mood swings and various other issues. I’ve only just cycled off od this medication completely in the last week, which was incredibly difficult itself due similar issues to what you would see in withdrawals.
In any case, I’m coming out the other aide ever so slowly. At this stage I’m trying to get back to a regular schedule of training which admittedly is very difficult for me right now. The one thing that has been reinforced for me throughout all this is that BJJ isn’t going anywhere. It was there before me and it will be there after me. Focus on taking care of yourself and don’t exacerbate any issues or injuries.
On a lighter note I had a follower on Instagram message me and ask some questions about working out after a spinal fusion. They said that they started following me because they saw that I was training Jujitsu after a spinal fusion and that they wanted advice on when and hoe to get back into the gym. Receiving that message made me so incredibly happy and motivated. In my initial posts on this blog I mentioned that one of the greatest things I hoped would come out of the blog was that it would inspire others with physical disadvantages to strive to do what they love, whatever that may be. The fact that someone values my opinion and sees me as someone to emulate is a huge validation for me and it was a nice little reminder to update this blog and to get myself back on track with training. I also received a message from a life-long family friend who had just started Jiujutsu and I could see him experiencing that unbridled wonder that I felt when I started. I want to get some lf that wonder back and stop treating my training like a thing I HAVE to do. This is something I WANT to do and the last few days have been a nice reality check in that sense I don’t doubt that I’m still going to struggle to get right back into the swing of things, but the little moments like that are what gives me that extra motivation and determination.
With all of that in mind, Ill see you all next time. Stay safe and have fun!
/Anthoney.
Since getting my blue belt I started a new job. I stuck with it for about 3 months but eventually decided that it wasn’t for me and ended up moving back to my previous job. During those 3 months and continuing through to now I’ve had almost non-stop health issues.
A fortnight into the new job I went on a holiday to Adelaide in South Australia. I had a great time and even got engaged! On the way back to Perth my left ear didn’t pop or adjust when descending to land so for two weeks I had massive head pains, nausea, dizziness and trouble sleeping. I missed about two weeks of training and when I finally got back to the gym I zigged when I should have zagged and took an elbow to the head. This blow caused a concussion and over the next 6 weeks I had more migraines than Id had in the last few years combined.
During this time I tried so many things to try and ease the migraines and constant headaches. Deep tissue massage along my neck and back, a visit to the optometrist where I learned I need glasses and even changes to my diet. I was lined up to see a Neurologist bit the wait for that was massive. Eventually my doctor prescribed Endep, which is a anti-depressant as well as a neurological painkiller. This seemed to stop the headaches but replaced them with ravenous hunger, mood swings and various other issues. I’ve only just cycled off od this medication completely in the last week, which was incredibly difficult itself due similar issues to what you would see in withdrawals.
In any case, I’m coming out the other aide ever so slowly. At this stage I’m trying to get back to a regular schedule of training which admittedly is very difficult for me right now. The one thing that has been reinforced for me throughout all this is that BJJ isn’t going anywhere. It was there before me and it will be there after me. Focus on taking care of yourself and don’t exacerbate any issues or injuries.
On a lighter note I had a follower on Instagram message me and ask some questions about working out after a spinal fusion. They said that they started following me because they saw that I was training Jujitsu after a spinal fusion and that they wanted advice on when and hoe to get back into the gym. Receiving that message made me so incredibly happy and motivated. In my initial posts on this blog I mentioned that one of the greatest things I hoped would come out of the blog was that it would inspire others with physical disadvantages to strive to do what they love, whatever that may be. The fact that someone values my opinion and sees me as someone to emulate is a huge validation for me and it was a nice little reminder to update this blog and to get myself back on track with training. I also received a message from a life-long family friend who had just started Jiujutsu and I could see him experiencing that unbridled wonder that I felt when I started. I want to get some lf that wonder back and stop treating my training like a thing I HAVE to do. This is something I WANT to do and the last few days have been a nice reality check in that sense I don’t doubt that I’m still going to struggle to get right back into the swing of things, but the little moments like that are what gives me that extra motivation and determination.
With all of that in mind, Ill see you all next time. Stay safe and have fun!
/Anthoney.