Your Story Is Only as Good as Your Villains: Facing Fitness and Life Head-On
Every great story has a hero, but without villains, there’s no struggle, no conflict, no growth. The same is true when it comes to fitness—or life itself. Our villains shape us. They force us to push harder, fight smarter, and uncover strength we didn’t know existed. Yet, these villains are often more familiar than we’d like. They can take the form of injuries, bad habits, mental health battles, or even the voice in your head telling you to quit.
I know this because I’ve faced my own villains, and while I stand here today as a personal trainer—fit, determined, and passionate about helping others—it hasn’t been an easy path. This is my story, and maybe, in some ways, it’s yours too.
Chapter 1: Facing Physical Villains
Fitness has always been a part of my life, but at 16, I hit my first major roadblock. A freak accident wrestling in high school left me with a torn ACL. At 19, I underwent surgery, and recovering from that was one of the hardest fights I’ve faced. Rehab wasn’t just physically grueling—it was mentally demanding. Every session felt like a battlefield. The pain was sharp; the progress was slow. But I told myself I’d come back stronger, and I did.
Four years later, though, another villain emerged. Poor biomechanics from my knee injury caught up with me, and I tore my hip labrum. The setback felt brutal. To move forward, I had to pause my momentum, reassess everything, and focus on healing. It was exhausting, but in hindsight, it taught me a crucial lesson—you don’t win by rushing. You win by being deliberate, patient, and resilient.
Now at 30, I know the battle isn’t over. I’ve been lifting for 17 years, and while I feel strong, I also know the clock is ticking. Father Time is undefeated, as they say. Arthritis is a reality I’ll face, but that’s just another villain to learn from, to manage, to outsmart.
Chapter 2: The Darkest Villain
My physical injuries were tough, but they paled in comparison to battling the darkness in my mind. When I was 15 and 16, I fell into severe depression. It wasn’t just sadness—it was suffocating hopelessness. There were suicide attempts, moments where the villain wasn’t external at all. It was me. Or maybe it was a twisted, darker version of me that wanted to pull me under.
The scars from those years don’t fade, but they’ve become my reminders. They’re why I tattooed the date of my biggest attempt on my body—because that date is also the beginning of my “bonus time.” I’ve had 15 extra years since then. Fifteen years I wasn’t supposed to have, and I’ll be damned if I waste them.
To keep those mental villains at bay, I’ve structured my life in a way that keeps me grounded. Lifting weights isn’t just about strength—it’s about survival. Getting good sleep? Same thing. Staying social, active, and proactive? That’s not just routine. It’s armor—shielding me from sinking back into that darkness.
But here’s the truth, and it’s something I tell every client I work with. The villains don’t disappear. Injuries don’t un-happen. Darkness doesn’t just evaporate. The fight isn’t about defeating them forever; it’s about keeping them at bay. It’s about choosing to battle daily and never letting them win.
Chapter 3: The Villains We All Face
For my clients, the villains look different, but they’re just as real. Maybe you’re battling unhealthy habits—skipping meals, emotional eating, or over-relying on comfort foods to cope with stress. Maybe your villain is self-doubt—the little voice whispering that you’re not cut out for this, that you should stay in your comfort zone. Or maybe it’s a lack of motivation, the constant tug to take the easy way out.
I’ve seen villains surface in countless forms during training sessions. I see it in the client who desperately wants results but keeps getting stuck in cycles of inconsistency. I see it in the person who’s convinced their body is “too far gone” to change. I even see it in myself on the days when I feel like I’m falling short—when the gap between who I am and who I could be feels unsurmountable.
That gap can feel like hell, can’t it? The thought that there’s a version of you out there—a stronger, more disciplined version—and you’re not quite there yet.
But here’s the thing—and this is hard to hear but so important—that gap isn’t your enemy. It’s your motivation. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to inch yourself closer, day by day.
Chapter 4: Becoming Your Own Hero
The reason I share my story isn't to shine a spotlight on myself—it's to light the way for you. Because every good story has a hero, and your story is yours to write. The villains may feel powerful, but they’re not insurmountable. Here’s the mindset and philosophy I hold on to, and maybe it’ll help you too:
Nobody Is Coming to Save You
This one’s tough love, but it’s the truth. No trainer, partner, or external force can fight your villains for you. You have to step into that role yourself. Own it. You’re responsible for your story—even the parts that weren’t your fault.
Progress, Not Perfection
One bad day doesn’t erase all the good ones. Sure, I have days where my choices aren’t in line with my goals—when I eat the wrong thing, skip a workout, or feel mentally off. But beating myself up doesn’t help. Instead, I choose to recognize my progress and use it as fuel to keep going.
Reflect on How Far You’ve Come
When I feel weak, I think about that teenager who could barely get out of bed. That boy would’ve given anything to see the life I’m living now, to feel the strength I’ve built. He couldn’t see this moment back then, but I can. And I owe it to him to keep fighting.
Chapter 5: Building Your Narrative
Every great story has a turning point—a moment where things shift. If you’re reading this, maybe now is your moment. Take a step back and ask yourself, “Who are the villains in my fitness story? My life story?” Maybe it’s time to name them, to recognize the battlefield you’re standing on, and to start fighting back.
Here’s why this narrative matters so much—because when you look back at the challenges you’ve overcome, it becomes almost impossible to quit. You’ve faced worse and survived. You’ve been knocked down and gotten back up. Remind yourself of those moments often—it’s the fuel that keeps the fire alive.
Closing Thoughts
I’m not here to tell you it’s easy. It’s not. Some days, the villains feel too big, the fight too hard. But the beauty of being the hero of your own story is that you always get back up. You learn to rally, to adapt, to conquer—one step at a time, one choice at a time.
Your story is only as good as your villains. But it’s also as good as your courage. The choice is yours to make. Write something worth telling.