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Today I pushed 100kg on the seated chest press at the gym. A thread
[Not a gym Bro post - but just my personal story of resilience and of "impossible"]
![Today I pushed 100kg on the seated chest press at the gym. A thread [Not a gym Bro post - but just my personal story of resilience and of "impossible"]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgFqoqeUEAEODPv.jpg "Today I pushed 100kg on the seated chest press at the gym. A thread [Not a gym Bro post - but just my personal story of resilience and of \"impossible\"]")
![Today I pushed 100kg on the seated chest press at the gym. A thread [Not a gym Bro post - but just my personal story of resilience and of "impossible"]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EgFqpG5UYAItuww.jpg "Today I pushed 100kg on the seated chest press at the gym. A thread [Not a gym Bro post - but just my personal story of resilience and of \"impossible\"]")
[Not a gym Bro post - but just my personal story of resilience and of "impossible"]
Why does 100kg matter?
Any gym-goer does that on a regular basis.
Well, I'm not regular. Age 12, I was diagnosed with a double scoliosis.
Age 15, after years of physio and wearing a hard medical corset, I had to have surgery.
With an obvious risk associated with spine surgery.
Any gym-goer does that on a regular basis.
Well, I'm not regular. Age 12, I was diagnosed with a double scoliosis.
Age 15, after years of physio and wearing a hard medical corset, I had to have surgery.
With an obvious risk associated with spine surgery.
My surgeon was one of the best and I was lucky enough to come out of it walking.
After a year of rehabilitation, I was allowed to resume sport. Some sports.
See, I was told that I would always be handicapped. I couldn't carry more than 30kgs. Couldn't play the sports I loved.
After a year of rehabilitation, I was allowed to resume sport. Some sports.
See, I was told that I would always be handicapped. I couldn't carry more than 30kgs. Couldn't play the sports I loved.
No more rugby, no more soccer,... I wouldn't be allowed martial arts, bungee jumping or skydiving.
Yet, on my last year of high school, 2 years after the surgery, I graduated with a score, in sports, of 18 out of 20. Not through adapted scoring. Through hard work and winning.
Yet, on my last year of high school, 2 years after the surgery, I graduated with a score, in sports, of 18 out of 20. Not through adapted scoring. Through hard work and winning.
From there, more was possible.
I was already playing badminton, at competitive level, despite having a 30cm metal rod screwed to the spine. No spine flexibility, nor proper body rotation.
I was mountain-biking, despite the risks of damaging fall.
I was already playing badminton, at competitive level, despite having a 30cm metal rod screwed to the spine. No spine flexibility, nor proper body rotation.
I was mountain-biking, despite the risks of damaging fall.
And I had a fall.
Flew over the bike, down a ledge. 3 metres below where my bike stood.
I fell on roots, rocks but stood up, bruised and battered but undamaged.
I was still tough, I was still strong.
I used to be. I could take punishment. I just had forgotten about it.
Flew over the bike, down a ledge. 3 metres below where my bike stood.
I fell on roots, rocks but stood up, bruised and battered but undamaged.
I was still tough, I was still strong.
I used to be. I could take punishment. I just had forgotten about it.
And after a wee while, maxing out the leg press at uni (at 200kgs) and building my back muscles to, funnily, a muscle corset to protect my back and spine, I went back to the surgeon.
And got the impossible approval to play soccer.
At competitive level.
And got the impossible approval to play soccer.
At competitive level.
Only to go on and win a couple of regional championships with the small team I was playing with.
Suddenly, this impossible had disappeared.
I could still not play rugby, never would be allowed to.
I discovered and started playing touch rugby.
Suddenly, this impossible had disappeared.
I could still not play rugby, never would be allowed to.
I discovered and started playing touch rugby.
Not for fun.
With the best team in France - and one of the leading European one. Playing alongside former rugby professionals and other athletes.
But also winning European tournaments and having the honour to play for Galaxy Touch International.
With the best team in France - and one of the leading European one. Playing alongside former rugby professionals and other athletes.
But also winning European tournaments and having the honour to play for Galaxy Touch International.
I'm not going to list all my sporting achievements, it would prove boring.
What it means, for me, however, is so much more than sport.
It was impossible for me to play most sports anymore. Yet, I did so, keep at it and have achieved so much despite the odds.
What it means, for me, however, is so much more than sport.
It was impossible for me to play most sports anymore. Yet, I did so, keep at it and have achieved so much despite the odds.
From the very first day I set foot in a gym after my surgery, 100kg felt like an impossible mark, for most exercises.
I can't squat with a heavy bar on my back, I can't do heavy deadlifts, etc.
Today, more than 20 years after surgery, I could push 100kg, for multiple reps.
I can't squat with a heavy bar on my back, I can't do heavy deadlifts, etc.
Today, more than 20 years after surgery, I could push 100kg, for multiple reps.
Today, I am the strongest I have ever been (on that machine at least 
).
Today, I am still recovering from a double rupture of the Achille's tendon (same leg, twice,...), can't jump, can't run and am definitely not the fittest I've ever been anymore. But it will come back too.
).Today, I am still recovering from a double rupture of the Achille's tendon (same leg, twice,...), can't jump, can't run and am definitely not the fittest I've ever been anymore. But it will come back too.
Today, I am celebrating a very small achievement.
One which means so much more.
I have been damaged, physically and mentally, so many times.
I'm still here, standing, making progress and (physically, for now) stronger than ever.
Impossible is just a word.
One which means so much more.
I have been damaged, physically and mentally, so many times.
I'm still here, standing, making progress and (physically, for now) stronger than ever.
Impossible is just a word.
