At 26, I was vibrant and eager, fuelled by a newfound passion for weightlifting. Dreams of becoming a super lifter swirled in my head. With a goal to shine on the stage and lift weights like the best, I poured my energy and fortune into this dream. I spent more than $300,000 on building up the first weightlifting club in China and training with retired national and world champions, all with the hope of reaching the top.
My journey started promisingly. Under the mentorship of a retired national champion who was a coach at my gym, I transformed from a shaky novice to a woman capable of jerking 85kg within the months. But just as the excitement of progress was building, my body began to raise alarm bells. Unbearable pain emerged from my left wrist up to my lower back, with my left knee particularly troubled, darkening my once-bright lifting path. Despite my perfect technique, as praised by my coach, the distress persisted.
Unwilling to back down, I pressed on, hopeful this was merely a temporary setback.
Tragically, it was not. During a high-intensity session, where I aimed to set a new personal record, I heard a faint crack from my left knee. I felt no immediate consequences, but the following morning, I woke up to an unnaturally swollen left side. I was unable to walk, hobbling stiffly, painfully reminded of the Little Mermaid's torturous transformation each time I had to walk my dog.
A trip to the hospital and an MRI scan confirmed my fear: nearly all the ligaments around my left knee were torn.
Undeterred, I refused to sit and wait. I sought the best medical help available, visiting four top physiotherapy clinics in Shanghai. The therapists were warm and supportive, providing treatments like stretching, massage, and using a Theragun. They taught me to regularly foam-roll my calf, stretch my ankles with a band, and strengthen my glutes, particularly the abductors. I attended sessions twice a week, and, although progress was slow, I managed to squat with bearable pain using knee sleeves after two years.
Just as I started believing in my recovery, another setback struck. Boldly attempting a full front squat, I was greeted by a dreadful clicking sound from my knee, followed by immediate swelling.
Overwhelmed by pain and disappointment, I wondered: If I can't even squat, what am I doing coaching and owning a weightlifting club? I felt defeated, coaching my trainees like a disheartened specter.
In this state of despair, a friend recommended I see Dr. Fu, a respected traditional Chinese physician. Skeptical but desperate, I obliged. He observed my posture and squat model for less than one minute, performed a super-light touch, and then taught me a simple exercise to be repeated no more than eight times in the morning and evening.
To my astonishment, within a week, the pain began to recede. A month later, I found myself able to squat without pain, the first time in two years.
Eager to understand this miracle, I began an apprenticeship under him. He showed me that athleticism isn't just about brute strength but also about having an aligned and well-structured body. This revelation was a life-changing experience. Then, I embarked on a journey, learning from the top Chinese physicians and martial arts masters. Eventually, I even studied at one of the most prestigious Chinese medical institutes - the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Gradually, I developed my own training method - Body Alignment Training.
Looking back, my journey with weightlifting hasn't been easy, it’s been a roller-coaster of emotions and pain, but it has taught me invaluable lessons. I spent $300,000, but the true treasure I discovered wasn't the ability to lift heavy weights with a compensating strong body, it was the priceless lesson of understanded the alignment of the body and being able to train without pain.
Today, my mission is to share this wisdom with others - to guide athletes toward a healthy and balanced approach to their beloved sport. Yes, my journey was expensive, but if it helps others avoid the road of pain, then it's a price worth paying.
Remember, it's not just about lifting weights or training. It's about educating yourself. It's about understanding and respecting your body, ensuring it functions well without the burden of pain, even into your 80s.
This is Gaby. If you'd like to learn more about the BAT training method, subscribe to my channel. Together, let's strive for 100% potential and 0% pain!
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