The Disability Bodybuilding Show

The physical & mental challenges of balance with my disability

I went to the Naidex conference this past month, designed around accessibility, disability & inclusion, meeting so many people in the process, doing amazing work. I tried new adaptions via the exhibitor space that have could have potential enhance elements of my gym training. It was so good to see a variety of adaptive pieces of equipment for different environments – in the home, gym and other pla...

Growing up I felt like I ‘should’ have been able to fit into a mould, Which through my cerebral palsy, I feel like I wasn’t able to, in many parts and I was left feeling quite isolated in many ways. It wasn’t until years later that I realised that I am not made to fit into a pre-determined box. You can create that mould as much as anyone else! I have the creativity and ability to carve what I woul...

For a number of years growing up, lots of reactions to my disability painfully made me feel weak. Not through my own doing, which looking back, actually brought sadness. But what I didn’t realise at the time, those emotions would be later channelled into a positive…. A positive emotion because from the obstacles presented, the comments directed at the difference in my left sided cerebral palsy – h...

There are challenges every day. A new one to start, to continue or finish, but there is always an opportunity at a fresh platform upon waking. I’ve had a number of hurdles as everyone does, I’m still trying to figure things out into my 30’s but I love the feeling of a new page to wake to. This past week had required a slow down in pace due to some joint pain but still maintaining the thinking of a...

I couldn’t control the restrictive movement, but although I was far removed from this for years, I control how I feel about my movement in my cerebral palsy on my left side. It’s too strong to say I hated my disability, but just saying that I had one was challenging for a long time. I didn’t want to stick out, have to answer questions with every new discussion – I didn’t want it to be a topic. Tha...

I wouldn’t have had the experiences I’ve had without people sharing their stories of their own journeys of opening doors & breaking down barriers. It’s in part why I do this here. That I owe it to those who helped me build that confidence to pay things forward and shine a light either on my own past experiences or share someone else’s current story to shout loudly what they’ve done (if they would...

There was a regular exercise I was given in my younger days during physiotherapy that was all about balance. How long could I stand unaided on my left side (compared to my right) the muscle tone has always been lower in my left and with other factors it remains a tricky discipline to carry out. That being said I enjoyed (around the frustrations) the challenge – could I find a technique to help – c...

I’ve tried to keep things simple this week – a lot of recent trials with attachments and new exercises have had relative successes – however it’s not lost on me to keep things simple with my workouts, keeping in what works well for me and whilst taking in new ideas, keeping a solid base to work and improve on.

The FitXpo was something that had been on my calendar for months and there was much anticipation for a number of reasons. Right up the top was to the chance to reconnect with friends and learn from industry experts but to also once again witness and support the opportunity for a mixed disability class to take to the stage in the Strom Classic during the weekend. The event had everything – lots of...

This podcast, the blog & content has documented my thoughts, findings, challenges & positive angles when training & beyond. What I’ve found really powerful is to take the time to schedule writing and transforming those into pods to try and make them as accessible as I can. This has helped me delve into areas that I’ve previously found challenging to express feelings around when going back over som...

I’m always on the lookout for something new or a tweak / improvement to make in many areas of my life and that starts with the springboard to my day that is the gym. At first, the new adventure had lots of new ground to explore. Many weeks and months were spent going through many pieces of equipment - some were used as they were presented when I got there, others had to be figured out as time went...

I remain incredibly grateful for the movement have in this life, no matter any frustrations this come along the path that at first glance may seem restrictive, but I’m often reminding myself that while I do have muscle limitation in structure, it could have been even more challenging had things not been as quick when I was born. That drives the journey in many areas in my life and I’m faced with c...

I first entered a gym full of thoughts of the limitations, of what I couldn’t do. I would go around and take machines & even whole areas off my list of things, never thinking I would be able to use them. It was a long page! free weights, Barbell Cable cross with both handles. You name it, it was a long list But I could do a few things and even if I could work my right side for some of it I’d give...

Something I realised of late is how extra careful I need to be with the extent of the volume of my sets involving pressing a bar that includes my left hand within the lift. I’ve long advocated the joy in finding different ways to adapt and seeing attachments around the gym to compliment my workouts have evolved into more of a need. I’m experiencing more challenges with press exercises through my d...

“What’s wrong with your hand?” Why do you have a limp?” Yes, all questions posed to me when I was younger with CP. when I came into this world I didn’t know I had a disability, it was through those conversations I was told there was big differences. Differences that brought questions, some just purely out of curiosity, some of not so nice nature. I found I had to unlearn that I wasn’t “broken”, it...

A stunning event at the PCA Universe this past weekend featured top class athletes from across the globe competing in many categories. The one closet to my heart that continues to grow and showcase top level competition kicked off the day as members of Team GB & Team Finland Mixed Disability class proved once again the incredibly high standard in our category!

Supporting physical & mental health…

Well into my 30’s now, recovery times are even more crucial with my training, HOWEVER! I still feel we’re only just getting started. I’ve been training consistently for around 8 years, but I’m still learning every day, I think that’s why I still love it. Training and bodybuilding is a world of discovery. As is my own disability, I’ve asked questions of it my whole life. I understood I have cerebra...

I loved getting to Exeter this past weekend to take in my first bodybuilding show of 2022! Although I’m not competing this year, there is so much to learn during these times and a feeling of just enjoying the sport plays a huge part in travelling to support the competitors hard work throughout the season. It took me back to when I first started bodybuilding – one of the best pieces of advice I rec...

The last two weeks in the gym have been ones of recovery and discovery. It was certainly time to reset some things, freshen up the routine and to almost reconnect with my set up. Its always important to keep things moving but to also try and keep some consistency. That being said, I have to make time to discover more about my body and its adaptability to my surroundings. I developed a good habit o...

Following on from the news earlier this year that 2022 was set to witness the largest number of opportunities within the disability category through the PCA & FITX, it was announced that the GPO UK federation are introducing two disability categories for their shows this year…

Reaching a year of weekly podcasts - lessons and future conversations!

I’m still not comfortable in describing my left side as the ‘weaker’ of the two. Yes my right is the dominant area muscle wise but this is mostly down to working with a different structure. Something that has played into my development with training is the question of symmetry. How do I train two separate sides of my body? Not wanting to risk injury to my left (CP side) but wanting to push higher...

The reality is, I’m getting older! There’s an acknowledgement on my part that my muscles on both sides will need more attention, but in different ways for different outcomes. I’ve become aware of greater emphasis on looking after my joints throughout my life but to also continue to protect my muscle development too. Throughout my childhood, a huge focus was given to stretching my muscle reach and...