Still Fitness

Sports massage? Who and what is it for exactly? 🤔

My heart is full today.

While i was having lunch with my cousin after my sports massage session with him, he managed to get a good relief from his lower back ails from the constant stress and lack of sleep from work (and probably a good sleep tonight). (1st win today)

Then comes the 2nd win of the day. He received a phone call from his friend, who strained his lower back while attempting a smash from badminton, couldn't stand up straight and apply force into his leg while walking. (specifically right SI joint pain). I decided to just drop by at his place to take a look and see how i could help.

(that explains the make shift equipment i could find, like the cookie jar ahahha 😂)

He was in so much pain when i saw him.. but i could only apply what i've learnt so far from mentorship program, .biomechanics, & .prehab, as well as everyone on the program
(all these are my senpais haha)

From the assessments tools i applied, i suspected that he is so pushed forward on the left, biasing a strategy on loading more on his right sacrum, along with massive compressions on his lumbar region, causing pain at his right SI joint.

With whatever knowledge i had i just gave it a shot, got him in various breathing position to help him relax, feel safe and create space in his body, slowly progressing into a FFE split squat isometric hold with a right reach to shift his COM back + rotation back to the left. That intervention worked the most.

Each time he moved he was so worried about the pain. Then viola, the look of relief on his face when he felt the pinch symptom greatly reduced and started walking better again..that moment was really priceless and no amount of money could buy that.

That moment assured me that i made the right decision to pursue this field, and damn it really felt great. Cant wait to learn more, focus on the process and keep making progress towards my desired end (whatever that is)

Coming soon.. Waiting on some logistics 😂 Thanks for the taking the photos!!!

This post isn’t about showing off my achievements for an ego boost. This post is about reflection and sharing the memories with people that I’ve spent a good part of my life with. (The pictures, IYKYK!)

10 years in the SAF. Was it really what I expected? Not really. Was it a complete waste of my time? Definitely not too.

The experiences, lessons learnt, friends I’ve made (will offer their couches and food to me if I needed somewhere to sleep) definitely shaped me as a person, my values, my approach to life. It allowed me to envision the life, environment and type of relationship I want to create for myself.

Fortunately/unfortunately, It came to a point where I knew I needed to leave. I found myself going through the cycle of ‘my work sucks, my life sucks’, finding dopamine hits and ‘filling myself’ from frivolous things.

I tried chasing money (because of stupidity and greed as well), eventually losing $35k. That changed my mindset about money:- ‘What is enough’. I realized that abundance doesn’t always have to be about possessions and money, although no denying that money gives you options.

Many would say there are no transferrable skills in the SAF to the ‘Outside world’. That is true to a certain extent, but I think I grew in powerful ways too. I thrive from living in uncertainty now and the mental resilience to push through tough times, also, ‘Attention to detail’.

That was what really gave me the courage to start from scratch for a career pivot. Although, I am very grateful for my situation (no commitments, family is healthy and self-sufficient).

As cliché as it sounds. ‘What is the meaning, the purpose?’ is on most minds isn’t it?
Now comes a new chapter, a journey to the elusive ‘IKIGAI’; work that gives me small constant streams of fulfillment, a more sustainable way of living. Am I scared? Yeap. Have I figured it out? Definitely not.

As we embark on this journey of ‘Life’, let us remind ourselves that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. If you’ve found it, good for you! If you haven’t, don’t feel bad about it too.. Keep walking the path, keep making progress, and Embrace Uncertainty because you’ll never know what Life brings you. 🙂