Never underestimate the powers of the handicapped...
I'm not usually one to jump on the 'viral video' bandwagon, but any time a piece of evidence arises that supports everything I preach... I have to share it.
In today's video (which contains NSFW language, please mute your speakers) two young men have begun a street fight...
And one of them has prosthetic legs.
That means fake. He's got two fake legs.
Not only does he have two fake legs, HE'S SUCH A SAVAGE THAT HE TAKES BOTH OF HIS LEGS OFF, TOSSES THEM ASIDE, AND STILL ISSUES A DAMN BEATDOWN.
Beyond that, his opponent punches nothing but air because this guy has sick head movement while walking on his damn hands.
WHAT?!
Click here to watch how he does it...
Now, the video ends a bit prematurely, but you can see where it's going. And it's impressive.
Fortunately, most of us have our legs. But, we do lose them occasionally. A sprained ankle, a knee surgery, or even plantar fasciitis (tendonitis of the feet) can take our 'wheels' away from us at a moments notice.
The trick is obviously turning these hindrances into gifts, as this young man has done.
He's got more functional upper body strength in his one arm than most of us have in both.
I got a somewhat relevant email this morning, in which a member of the "How to Fight Bigger People" course has sustained a back injury... but of course wants to keep on training.
Those of us who train obsessively will often push ourselves into further injury... or just prolong our existing injuries to the point that our output is diminished... seemingly forever.
So here is the response that I sent:
"The key to training with back injuries is to execute all of the same techniques without torso bend, so the muscles in your back remain unstrained, and can heal.
Google "howtofightnow conor mcgregor fighting style and technique" and take a look at that video.
One of the things that I discuss is Conor's torso position, and his balance. You're going to want to mimic that style. That sort of 'upright' position will allow you to fight and to train with minimal strain on your back.
YOUR THIGHS ARE GOING TO NEED TO BECOME RIDICULOUSLY STRONG.
All of the U-Slips in this program can still be conducted with a straight posture. You just have to take the movements deeeeeeep into your thighs to effectively get under the punches. Long after your back has healed, this new power will stick with you.
Rotation in the torso is another issue. Be careful with explosive rotations. I would taper off punch power and focus on punch flexibility for a while. How far can you gently rotate your torso into your punches? Building this flexibility will make it easier for you to punch in the future, and by being able to tear your punches through a greater range of motion, you will have more power.
Again, once you're healed.
At the end of the day, this injury will become a gift.
When you're on the other side of it, your torso will be more flexible... which will make punching more 'effortless', and your thighs will be in a position to bear your weight much more efficiently. You'll be more explosive. You will be a better fighter for it.
The trick is to do the same thing with ALL of your limitations."
Just as the young man in today's video as done.
Despite the foul language, and the whole 'brawling in the middle of the street" thing, he can be an example for all of us.
Toss your injuries aside, and be a warrior.
Have a great weekend.