#9 September Edition - The Secret to Success in Your Fitness Journey

Hello Everyone!

I hope everyone had a great summer. For myself I had an extremely busy one. As most of you know besides working clinically I am the head of sports medicine for the Vancouver Bandits. One powerful lesson stood out this summer: Winning is incredibly hard—both on the court and in your personal fitness journey. 🏋️‍♂️

This season, we achieved many remarkable milestones. We finished with the best record in the league 🥇, maintained consistent performance without losing back-to-back games, and were led by the CEBL Coach of the Year, Kyle Julius 🏆. Our roster was a blend of incredible talent, including Koby McEwen, the Top Canadian Player of the Year 🇨🇦, and Taze Moore, the league’s MVP ⭐. Despite all these accomplishments, we learned that success isn’t guaranteed. Just 30 minutes before the final game, an unexpected setback—a sudden back spasm in one of our key players—threw us off our game plan. Despite our best efforts, we lost by just 2 points.

So, How does this relate to your fitness journey?

Much like in sports, in fitness and rehabilitation, we often set ambitious goals—whether it’s losing weight, recovering from an injury, or improving overall health. It’s easy to become fixated on these outcomes. However, just as we learned this season, focusing solely on the end result can lead to frustration when things don’t go as planned.

Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” 🏀 This quote resonates deeply with our experience. We realized that true success comes from our commitment to the process—the daily grind, the recovery protocols, the training sessions, the nutrition plans, and the resilience to bounce back from setbacks.

Here’s how you can apply these lessons to your own fitness journey:

1. Embrace the Process: Like our players who adhered to rigorous recovery protocols, from ice baths to tailored nutrition plans, your fitness journey requires a commitment to daily habits. Focus on what you can control: showing up for your workouts, following your rehabilitation exercises, and maintaining a balanced diet. 🥗

2. Manage Setbacks with Resilience: Just as our team faced unexpected challenges, you might encounter setbacks—whether it’s an injury, a plateau, or a busy schedule. Remember, setbacks are part of the journey. The key is to adapt, stay consistent, and trust the process. 💪

3. Prioritize Recovery: In sports, recovery is as important as training. Similarly, in your fitness journey, give equal importance to rest, hydration, and sleep to ensure your body has the time it needs to repair and strengthen. 💤

4. Build a Supportive Environment: Our team’s strength came from a culture of togetherness and mutual trust. Surround yourself with a community that supports your goals—be it family, friends, or a fitness group. Share your struggles and celebrate your progress together. 🙌

The Takeaway:

To succeed in your fitness journey, shift your focus from the end goal to the steps you take each day. The journey to fitness is not about perfection but about consistency, resilience, and growth. 💯

I’m here to support you every step of the way. Let’s embrace the process together and work towards your health and fitness goals.

Hope everyone has a physically active month,

Kosta Ikonomou