I have always been pretty active. When I was little I was quite the tomboy; always skinning my knees and knocking myself about skateboarding, BMX racing, playing hockey. In my early teens I made the segue from skiing to snowboarding, and never looked back. Remember when snowboards were illegal on most hills, and some of the early industry pioneers such as Tom Sims and Jake Burton were rocking the slopes in the dayglo fluorescent look? That’s around the same time I started shredding. My first board was one of those Canadian Tire death bananas; manufactured out of plastic with thick, blunt, edges that could break a neck if caught, and rubber bindings you would slip your floppy Sorrels into.
Snowboarding set the pace for a lifetime of adrenaline seeking sports. I later took my PADI certification and had my first underwater diving experience in the warm Caribbean waters of Aruba. In between diving excursions I would dream of another world; a colourful array of angel fish, moray eels, urchins, anemones, sharks …and would continuously crave my next 60-foot descent. I took up rock climbing and became addicted to the sensation of walking down the side of 100ft cliff faces while supported by ropes, as though I was an astronaut defying gravity! My appetite for adventure became insatiable, and I soon started engaging in endurance sports. Scrambles up steep, rocky terrains. Road cycling for hours at a time. Long distance running. In 2009 I ran a half marathon and completed my first triathlon. I felt on top of the world.
Then, suddenly and unceremoniously, my left knee blew out. After a few weeks of denial while enduring excruciating pain and restricted mobility, I confronted the cold reality of reviewing the MRI scans with my surgeon. The truth was then undeniable. The Diagnosis: Severe meniscus damage, bone bruising, and a complete tear of the Anterior Crucial Ligament. I would be off my legs for at least 4 months, and snowboarding that season would be out of the question. I was shattered. The surgery and recovery was one of the most challenging and difficult periods in my life. One thing I learned was that my left leg muscles had been compromised somehow, and this attributed to my entire knee giving out. How was this possible? I considered myself very fit and more active than the average individual.
I am a big fan of using qualified, professional services to improve my health, skills, and professional development. I saw a specialist Orthopedic surgeon to oversee my knee repair. I use a professional Realtor to provide real estate advice, a lawyer to assist me with my business dealings. I have a golf instructor to help me with my game! Without question, the best investment I ever made was in a professional fitness trainer. Through careful assessment, Suzanne Zilkowsky of Urban Evolution was able to determine weak areas in my body composition and form. Regardless of how fit I thought I was, I had been training and exercising incorrectly and not employing the proper alignment techniques. She patiently assisted me through my rehabilitation and helped me slowly rebuild my confidence in using my knees and the way that I move my body. She essentially helped me learn to walk again, and I will be forever grateful. I now firmly believe the expert guidance of a personal trainer is essential for achieving safe and optimal fitness.
It is now 7 months after surgery, and I feel back on top of the world! I train with Suzanne 3 days per week and I feel fabulous, toned, and strong. My form has been carefully critiqued and adjusted so my workouts are now safe and more efficient. I have also taken up Cross Fit, and learning military martial arts via the Krava Maga fighting system. I do hot yoga at least 3 days per week and love how it contributes to my flexibility and overall well being. I am training for the Vancouver Half Marathon and hope to successfully run 23 kilometers in May on my newly reinforced knee. Recently, I took my first post-surgery ride on my snowboard on a freshly powdered run at Whistler, threw down a 180 off a lofty jump, and grinning from ear to ear, felt like everything was alright in my world again.
If you would like to be featured on Fitness Goop, please send your answer to the question, “how being healthy and fit has changed my life?” along with a recent photo of yourself to… getgooped@fitnessgoop.com.
Recent Comments