Aaron Horsfield has been a long time member, however, an injury caused him to take a hiatus and fight through feelings of inadequacy, which he overcame and has come back better than before.
Aaron Horsfield
Aaron Horsfield is sharing his story of regaining confidence in the gym after a shoulder injury. He was our athlete of the month in April 2019 and has been a member of Industrial Athletics since August 2017. He routinely attends the 6:15 AM weekday class and can be found trying new exercises in the gym over the weekend. As you will see in Aaron’s story, he struggled to find the confidence through a shoulder injury derived from an internal embarrassment of not meeting perceived external expectations. After receiving therapy for his shoulder injury, routinely focusing on shoulder stability and rebuilding his lifting form foundation, Aaron has surpassed almost every pre-injury personal record, regained confidence, and rarely misses hitting the gym six days a week. Aaron shared some insight into his journey to regaining his confidence.
Setbacks and Injuries Happen
It has been almost 1 year since I restarted regular fitness after a shoulder injury that brought forth unknown angst within the gym. 1 year of growth, recovery, fun, personal records, and overall reflection to how I think about my personal journey with the gym. While I always outwardly tell individuals I am not competitive, I am an extremely competitive individual setting high, and sometimes unrealistic standards for myself. I preface this because after an injury, athletes face major setbacks on recovery.
I hurt my shoulder during the last set of push presses. I overextended, not engaging my core, inflaming my right shoulder. I could not perform various motions and did not realize how many movements were vital to having a healthy shoulder. I thought it would get better during rest. Perhaps, like many, I figured I could do light / body weight exercises and would visit a doctor if I needed to.
I continued to go to the gym, receiving personalized modifications by Coach Jen, resting, stretching, and repeating. Things were not improving; I was still too ‘proud’ to see a physician. I gradually lost confidence during continual modifications. I expected better of myself. I got in my own head. I thought less of myself for not meeting my own standards. My love for the gym waned. One day, I didn’t sign up for class again.
During that time, I didn’t realize the support I was receiving from the gym coaching staff and my fellow gym members as I had lost my internal self-confidence. Over the past year, I have spent a lot of time focusing on rebuilding my gym confidence. I went back to the basics and essentially started from scratch. It was the best thing I could have ever done.
FUNDAMENTALS are CORE; don’t forget the FUN!
After encouragement from gym members, the coaching staff, and my work colleagues, I started back to the gym (post receiving treatment for my shoulder injury). I had no idea what to expect. What could I do? Will I ever be able to do pull-ups, push-ups, or even get to an enhanced modification? So many questions were present in my mind, even silly ones that I knew were incorrect, i.e. will the gym welcome me back (spoiler, it was like I had won the CrossFit games when I entered).
The first day was tough. I had to rebuild confidence and, more importantly, get comfortable with doing light weight/no weight activities. I had to learn to understand the mechanics of each lift from squeezing my abs or glutes to fully extending my shoulders or feeling the pull of the weight from the ground through my movement. It took months. Months of extra work on Sundays solely focusing on shoulder strength. Months of only lifting the barbell or bodyweight activities. I had incredible support from my family, coaches, members, and more importantly, myself. I learned to celebrate the (small) wins. To self-correct moments and be consistent on form versus the weight. I was consistent, motivated, and started to see success.
Better than Before
Looking back, not rushing to add weight or do the hardest workout was a huge component in my progress. I started to break personal records (PR) I had not approached in years (some since 2019). First, I broke my 500-meter row PR, followed by jump rope, and other non-weight activities. Then I strung together sets of nine kipping pull-ups, hit a front and back squat PR, and surprised myself with being able to lift substantially more in the workouts of the day. Despite all of this, I still struggle on certain movements. Squat snatches continue to be my personal nemesis (they always were), I still struggle with getting to my pre-injury handstand push-up strength, I get in my head anytime I do shoulder press (injury PTSD), and wall balls are hit and miss. Yet, that’s OK.
The Gym Accepts ALL!
At the end of the day, I’m at the gym to have fun, probably laugh too much, and for myself. To improve my physical and mental well-being, to manage my stress (which helps me with my ulcerative colitis – a whole different workout experience), be a better person, and to be with an incredible community of individuals. This past year has given me so much insight into myself. A few nuggets of knowledge I have personally gained:
✳️ Bringing focus back to the fundamentals can help build a stronger foundation.
✳️ Consistency drives improved habits.
✳️ Setbacks happen yet they are temporary; learn from them and come out stronger.
✳️ Gym members and coaches are critical to your success.
✳️ Improving yourself (even the smallest step a day) enhances energy and focus.
✳️ You are your own worst enemy. The gym is there is support you.
✳️ Have fun and live in the moment!
Healing Takes Time, Never Give Up
As people, we can all make excuses that life is too busy to focus on our physical and mental well-being, yet when we take the step to “get over” the hump, great things happen. It is not always easy to wake up every day at 5:15 to get to the gym, but having a group of individuals and a coach for accountability has helped me reach even higher. From the push to keep going, to the willingness to finish the last set with me (even if we are doing different weights), to the conversations about life, and the uplifting when a bad workout or day arises. While a shoulder injury certainly stinks, I have reconnected more with the gym and my health than ever before. I’ve been able to compete in a 10+ miler Tough Mudder, hike across national parks, and compete in CrossFit competitions (even winning). Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, push yourself a little further, listen to your gut (i.e., take a rest day), and laugh. Life is too short! It takes a village…. I know I’ll always have this village to rely on.
