How To Train Through the Mess (That’s Where Progress Lives)
Life doesn’t wait for the perfect time. Injuries, stress, busy seasons, family obligations—they’re all part of the journey.
Adaptability is what separates those who talk about goals from those who reach them. As Marcus Aurelius wrote, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Obstacles don’t stop progress; they shape it.
Think about the Olympian who wins gold, the client who finally drops the weight, or the person who transforms their health. None of them succeeded because the road was smooth. They faced setbacks, injuries, and challenges. The difference is that they didn’t wait for perfect conditions. They found a way forward.
Take Sarah, who tore her labrum while training to be a yoga instructor. Many would have stopped altogether, waiting for surgery and putting fitness on hold. Instead, we redirected her training. We focused on building her upper body strength and designed movements that allowed her to maintain as much lower body strength as possible without aggravating the injury.
The plan wasn’t static—it adapted with her. As she moved through the pre-surgery stage, we checked in often, adjusted exercises, and made sure she could still feel progress and momentum. Every step of the way, Sarah had structure and confidence instead of frustration and fear of losing ground.
When recovery time came, she wasn’t starting from zero. She was stronger, more resilient, and mentally prepared. Because she never pressed pause, her comeback was faster and more powerful than if she had waited for the “perfect” time.
Or take Alison, who battled hip impingement and leg pain every time she ran. For years, running had been part of her identity, but the pain made it feel impossible. Many would have accepted it as the end of their running days. Instead, we built a new approach.
We started by strengthening her lower body in ways that didn’t flare up the impingement. We focused on controlled strength work, building stability around her hips and core, and gradually improving her mobility. The plan was carefully structured to challenge her without pushing her into pain.
As she progressed, we layered in movements that mimicked the demands of running, always adjusting volume and intensity based on her response. She learned how to listen to her body—when to push and when to hold back—so that training became a tool for healing, not a trigger for more pain.
When she finally returned to running, it wasn’t just pain-free. She came back with better performance, stronger legs, and more confidence than before. Because she didn’t quit when things got messy, she discovered a new level of resilience that carried into every run that followed.
If you wait for life to calm down, for the injury to heal on its own, or for the schedule to clear, your goals risk ending up in the graveyard of “someday.” Waiting is hard, but training through the mess is also hard. The difference is that one moves you forward.
Why coaching helps: Coaching is the bridge between intention and action. It provides an informed, experienced plan with real-time support. A coach helps you know when to push and when to back off, while keeping your progress moving even in the middle of life’s challenges. With adaptability and guidance, obstacles become the very reason you succeed.
👉 Want the full picture? This is just one part of our framework. Check out The 4 Essential Qualities for Fitness Success to see how all four levels work together, and take the next step toward building your foundation.