"I’m a 50-year-old former powerlifter and strongman competitor. I first hurt my lower back when I was a senior in high school playing baseball. I was trying to beat a throw to first base and felt something pop in my lower back when I stepped on the base. A couple of years ago, I bought Gift of Injury and Back Mechanic and “loosely followed the instructions” and found a little relief, but not enough to matter. In April 2021, I reached out to Brian because I saw a video of him squatting 1306 and thought, how in the world is that possible with the damage I had read about that his back had? After our phone consultation, he had me doing big 3 two times a day and religiously walking three times a day, along with telling me I had to change my movement patterns, stop squatting and deadlifting, and let the pain settle, which was probably the hardest thing I had done in a long time. A few weeks later, I went to Jacksonville, and Brian did a full hands-on assessment and gave me a game plan, which I followed to the letter the best I could. It’s been almost a year, and after continuing to move well and doing the big 3 along with walking, suitcase carries, etc. I honestly have a core of iron. I am back to squatting and deadlifting heavy again with no pain, which is a miracle. Brian’s guidance has changed my life because I just figured that low back pain was what I had to look forward to for the rest of my life. After all, the chiropractor said I had degenerative disk disease, which I’ve learned is not true at all. Thank you so much. Also, I'm already back to walking with the 700-lb yolk, Pulling 600 with no pain whatsoever, and squatting 550lb raw. I can tell you this—I never expected to squat over 500 again or ever be pain-free, for that matter! "

Nate Ball

"I have been working with Brian for about a year now. I’ve had daily back pain with two herniated discs for several years, and about 3 to 4 times a year, I would pull my back out and be down for three or four days. I started working with Brian and read his book Gift of Injury. Within a couple of weeks of following Brian’s instructions on daily movements and doing the exercises he instructed me to do, I was almost pain-free. After a couple of months, I was pain-free with just a little pain in the mornings. Working with Brian has completely changed my outlook about my back. I pretty much just convinced myself that I would not be able to function or do things I used to be able to do anymore because of my back issues. Now I am confident that as long as I continue to follow Brian‘s instructions and training I will not be hindered from doing certain things because of my back."

Shane C

I’m a police officer, and your book, Gift Of Injury, saved my life. I’m 42 now; I had lower back issues in my late 20s from heavy lifting and wrestling… I overcame that and always made warm-up, movement prep, stretching, etc, a big priority. Then, right around the time I hit 40, I had the standard L5 S1 back pain that took its toll on my training and daily life. I’m a police officer in our emergency service unit (SWAT/HEAVY RESCUE) and a dad of two young, very active, athletic boys, so the pain, lack of movement, and explosiveness became a total mind f@&k... All of the epidurals, movement research, and decompression didn’t work. I got a hold of your book, thoroughly read it, and practiced it all. It was life-changing. I have zero pain and can move, explode, squat/deadlift, and wrestle! Anyone currently with lower back pain or who doesn’t even want to go down that road of debilitating back issues should read and study this book. Any athlete or person on a regular fitness/strength training routine will benefit from this material. This book is the real deal, legit, easy to follow, and couldn’t be any more genuine coming from someone of your immense accomplishments. Thank you,

Ron C

“Just as the pandemic hit, a lingering back injury hit an all-time high and there was really no escaping it. I purchased “Gift of Injury” and read the entire thing cover to cover in three days. I soon connected with Brian for a consult/assessment and he immediately offered 1:1 support to dive into my specific injury and determine my pain generators. I was extremely grateful for his assessment, help, advice, and guidance during this tough time in my recovery. Despite the time differences and residing in different countries, he stayed in consistent communication with me and asked for frequent updates to ensure I was staying on the right track. At the start of our work together, we started over only walking and doing the big 3, then soon progressed to carries, then goblet squats with a 14kg kettlebell; fast forward a few months – just last weekend I was able to hit near max lifts once again, but PAIN-FREE and with proper lifting mechanics and form cues I learned from Brian while starting over. I am grateful for the learnings I’ve taken from Brian, you can tell his passion is to help others. By bringing his own experiences to his work makes him even more of a unique coach.”

Thea Lund – Olympic lifter, Physique competitor and professional dancer

“Brian and Professor McGill, Thank you for writing Gift of Injury. I was in Texas a few months ago and Ed Coan told me to read your book. It has given me a new outlook and helped me get back on track. Like you and many others, I have been searching to be able to not only keep lifting but move without pain. Your book as done that for me. My story might be a little different than most powerlifters. On top of the stress of Deads, Squats I am a 22 year still serving Army Ranger that has been jumping out of planes since 1996. Needless to say my spine has endured a lot of impact. In the last few years I have slowly gotten worse and got to the point of giving in to the medical professional of looking at getting cut or even being medically boarded out of the Army. Not something that is easy on the mind. Not being what I used to be sat heavy on me. And then being told my way of coping with stress (powerlifting) might have to stop as well was not good. All of this was a source of darkness that was growing with me. I was looking for answers and solutions and none was there but ones that make me live a life that was not what I wanted. I honestly was a little skeptical that moving well, doing the McGill Big 3, and walking would help my condition. I mean 8 months of Physical Therapy with direct attention by the doctor and nothing, I didn’t expect much. I am glad to say I was wrong. Overnight my pain was put in check, reduced immensely, my back felt relaxed and not like I was one movement away from getting a major surgery. Life feels better again. I am religious about moving well, doing my Big 3 twice day and getting my walks in. I started lifting again and has got back on track after taking months off. I thank you and Dr. McGill for this.” Very Respectfully

Brian Baumgartner

“In a world that pushes pain medication and costly surgery to “fix” back pain, this is a breath of fresh air! Brian Carroll and Dr. Stuart McGill combine for one of the most valuable books ever written on how to correctly address this injury. The Gift of Injury is a brilliant must have book for every strength athlete, coach and medical practitioner.”

From Dr. Aaron Horschig, Author of Squat Bible and owner of SquatUniversity.com

“If you have suffered from back pain (as I have) and have begun to give up hope of ever getting out of pain then you MUST read this book. If anything, Brian Carroll’s story will give you hope. The book if chock full of information and ways to take control of your life, back and pain. It’s especially geared towards the powerlifter, but I suspect most athletes can relate and will benefit from the information contained in this book. This is the kind of book you read and wish someone would have put it into your hands years ago!”

Dan B.

“This book is a must have for all athletes and coaches alike, the best of its kind.”

Ryan

“It’s a brilliant, fantastic book, one that should be the standard of the fitness industry! It’s a rare book that honestly confronts, analyzes and fixes the athlete. Oh, sure, you can find books with little band stretches, mobility work and some time in the tub, but Stu McGill and Brian Carroll take us inside both the athlete’s and the therapist’s minds. Section Two alone is a book in itself; it is more of a weekend workshop showing what the best and brightest do in their approach to training. There are so many insights throughout the book, but this little hint really made me think: Brian walked 15 minutes a day with free swinging arms before every meal as part of his back injury fix. It just struck me that this simple point was the culmination of so many tests, discussions and hands on work…and it is so simple, logical, and practical.”

Dan John

I’ve followed Brian for many years throughout his weightlifting career. I always appreciated how humble he is despite everything he’s achieved. After suffering a minor back injury myself, I figured I’d give The Gift of Injury a shot. My goal has always been to keep my body injury-free so I can lift weights until the end. And if a world champion powerlifter could heal his massive injury and go on to set more records, there must be something to it. After reading the book (and re-reading many passages), watching Brian’s videos, and working the McGill method, I’ve been pain-free for a couple of years. The insight here has completely changed how I view training, injury, and recovery. Not an easy feat after 28 years of lifting weights! But I will continue to use these concepts for many years to come.

Elizabeth Bienas