We all experience injuries in life. Minor ones are usually no big deal—you make a few adjustments to your training, give it time, and things typically return to normal.

Then there are the major injuries—the ones that require surgery, long rehabilitation, and a tremendous amount of effort just to get back to baseline, if at all possible. There’s often a point during recovery when the situation seems dire, and getting back to normal feels out of reach. But with perseverance and commitment, brighter days are ahead.

My client, Arzhang, knows this firsthand. After surviving a fall that nearly claimed his life, he fought his way back with relentless determination. Today, he’s stronger than ever and setting his sights on new personal records.

This is his story…

The Fall That Changed Everything

So many motivational reads, so many motivational forums, so many motivational organizations… But the greatest source of motivation for anything you want to achieve in life comes from within.

In December 2013, Arzhang embarked on an expedition to Mt. Aconcagua, the tallest peak in the Southern Hemisphere, standing at nearly 23,000 feet. The breathtaking scenery and raw beauty of nature made it impossible for him to resist the challenge—he had to climb this mountain.

The ascent was exhilarating, but the descent took a tragic turn.

A severe fall left Arzhang stranded, enduring hours of crawling, self-rescue, and excruciating pain before being airlifted to base camp. He had shattered three metatarsal bones in his right foot—a devastating Lisfranc injury.

In January 2014, surgeons fused his bones with a metal plate and screws. The prognosis was grim: he might never walk normally again. The thought of living with a permanent limp was unbearable for someone who had spent his life training, playing sports, and embracing a fitness lifestyle. But Arzhang refused to accept that fate.

The Road to Recovery

Confined to a wheelchair for four months, Arzhang took immediate action. He invested in a Chair Gym to train his upper body while slowly introducing light lower-body movements. He also conducted extensive research on natural foods and supplements to promote bone healing—something his healthcare team had never mentioned.

Once out of the cast, the real battle began. Walking was nearly impossible, but he gradually rebuilt strength, starting with basic movements. With guidance from skilled chiropractors, he committed to three-hour daily training sessions, painstakingly relearning how to walk.

I felt like a newborn trying to walk for the first time. But I knew the key was to never give up—and I didn’t!

One month later, he took his first steps, albeit with a significant limp. His next milestone? A single bodyweight squat. It may seem like a small goal, but for Arzhang, it was everything.

After months of pain, perseverance, and dedication, he finally did it.

That’s when he called me.

A Relentless Drive for Strength

When Arzhang first came to me, his leg had experienced severe atrophy. He could barely manage an unsupported step-up on a single aerobic step—let alone a weighted squat. But his goal was clear: to squat 225 pounds (two 45-pound plates per side) for 10 sets of 10 reps.

He trained with me four to five times a week at first. Considering that he worked and lived in downtown Toronto, this was no small feat—the commute to Richmond Hill during rush hour was at least an hour each way. He made that drive for months.

Even after transitioning to monthly in-person sessions, he followed every program I wrote with unwavering discipline.

Today, Arzhang is just 20 pounds shy of his goal, performing full, tempo-controlled, “butt-to-heels” squats for 10 sets of 10 reps. When we return to this training phase in a couple of months, he’ll finally achieve what once seemed impossible.

And knowing Arzhang, this won’t be his final milestone.

“After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” – Nelson Mandela