I read your book and a few others by Dr.McGill. I am an amateur lifter but nonetheless it’s my passion. I sustained a disc bulge injury from lifting a few months ago. Just like you went to a few doctors telling me the same bs advice they tell every patient, saw multiple PTs who gave me the wrong guidance. Finally after some intense research I found a McGill trained trainer and have a rehab plan set it motion. Now that you know my brief background, I wanted to ask you a personal question. How the hell did you deal with the mental strain of this injury? I am a medical professional and understand that this will take time and hard work to come back from. First
heal and then progress to perfect my form believe me, I get it. Although I’ve only started my rehab 2 weeks ago, I’ve been dealing with this injury for about 6 months now. Progress is slow and it’s difficult to watch all my hard work in the gym fade away. Just yesterday I picked up a heavy package incorrectly and as soon as that pain came back I lost my shit. I am a real asshole when the pain is bad and I hate myself for my inexcusable behavior. I never used to be like this, luckily I have an amazing girl by my side who understands the struggle, if it wasn’t for her I would probably throw in the towel by now. I am sure you got tons of emails but I would really appreciate some advice regarding how you kept your mental health on point

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Brian Carroll

Owner and Founder at PowerRackStrength.com
Brian is a retired world-class powerlifter with over two decades of world-class powerlifting. From 1999 to 2020, Brian Carroll was a competitive powerlifter, one of the most accomplished lifters in the sport's history. Brian started off competing in bench press competitions 'raw,' then, shortly into the journey, he gravitated toward equipped lifting as there were no "raw" categories then. You only had to choose from single-ply (USPF) and Multi-ply (APF/WPC). Brian went on to total 2730 at 275 and 2651 at 242 with more than ten times his body weight in three different classes (220, 242, 275), and both bench pressed and deadlifted over 800 pounds in two other weight classes. He's totaled 2600 over 20 times in 2 different weight classes in his career. With 60 squats of 1000lbs or more officially, this is the most in powerlifting history, regardless of weight class or federation, by anyone not named David Hoff. Brian realized many ups and downs during his 20+ years competing. After ten years of high-level powerlifting competition and an all-time World Record squat at 220 with 1030, in 2009, Brian was competing for a Police academy scholarship. On a hot and humid July morning, Brian, hurdling over a barricade at 275lbs, landed on, fell, and hurt his back. After years of back pain and failed therapy, Brian met with world-renowned back specialist Prof McGill in 2013, which changed his trajectory more than he could have imagined. In 2017, Brian Carroll and Prof McGill authored the best-selling book about Brian's triumphant comeback to powerlifting in Gift of Injury. Most recently (10.3.20) -Brian set the highest squat of all time (regardless of weight class) with 1306 lbs – being the first man to break the 1300lb squat barrier at a bodyweight of 303 lbs.
Mike De La Pava Answered question December 11, 2018