A few years ago, I shared the story of Arzhang and his horrific fall off Mt. Aconcagua in the Southern Andes. Through hard work and perseverance, Arzhang climbed his way back into shape and is now setting personal records. If you haven’t read it, check out Climbing to New Heights: An Inspirational Story.
Now here’s another inspirational comeback—this time from Jessica, a longtime client of mine.
Jessica was making solid progress in the gym with some impressive lifts and ambitious goals… until a nasty fall on a ski hill shattered her right leg. Extensive surgery followed.
After months of dedicated rehab, Jessica is back on her feet and working on regaining her strength—particularly her squat and deadlift numbers. Of course, proper form is paramount. To ensure she’s on track, Jessica occasionally sends me videos for feedback. Below is one of those submissions:
In the left clip, she’s keeping her knees back and hinging from the hips. While that’s not necessarily wrong, I wanted her to think more like a front squat—driving the knees forward to help her stay upright. The hex bar allows that knee travel, so I told her to “sit down” instead of “sit back,” which is the typical cue for a barbell deadlift. The right video shows her executing that cue—and her form improved significantly!
Jessica’s resilience is remarkable. I have no doubt she’ll shatter her previous numbers in no time.
And if you’re wondering what she’s capable of when fully healthy, check out these upper-body feats:
Let this be a reminder: setbacks are temporary. With grit and guidance, no injury will stand in your way!
