Injury Pivot

[Jason Kleinhenz]

Hi Jocko,



Thanks for all you've done and continue to do. I've been inspired to get after it, be disciplined, and take ownership - transitioning into leadership roles in most areas of my life, finishing my 3 personal big projects, having the best couple seasons of rugby in my life, better relationships, and a promotion at work.



I've played rugby for 16 years after being a decent swimmer for almost that long. In 2009 I started with my current club and I was 25 years old (one of the youngest on the team). Now in 2017 I'm one of the oldest and have taken on a leadership role because of my age and due to a mass exodus of players. Over the years I've racked up some decently serious injuries and am currently rehabbing 2 of them. After talking to our team orthopedic it seems that it would be smart to retire from rugby, but I'm not sure getting into martial arts will be any safer. If I retire now I fear that I won't have met my goals; to train someone to take my place and to get into the Hall of Fame (ego). Less impact-threat, but similar, if not more, joint-threat of injury between rugby and martial arts. Do you have any advice based on your experience or feedback from followers?



Thanks for your time!

[mynewunit]

Good questions. Retirement should be final. One option is to reduce your playing time. Either every other game, or only one half every game. Jiu Jitsu does not have a lot of injuries when training with a good teacher and good training partners. You will have a lot of injuries that feel like nothing to a Rugby guy. Occasional bruise, sprain, finger or toe. It generically doesn't have the collisions of football or rugby. Also, the lower body injuries and dislocations are more field and throwing injuries.

Exercise is so good any single aspect can make you healthier. Rugby is exercise. Jiu Jitsu is exercise. Weights, yoga, running, swimming are exercise. Also, hit the fish oil / krill oil for joints. MobilityWOD is another good resource.

Lets step back. If you are going to stop your "goal" of rugby, find a new fitness goal. Loose body fat. Up your Deadlift, Squat, Press. Parkour, gymnastics, climbing, wrestling, rucking, or whatever I missed. New goals can have the benefits of infatuation. As that goes away find a new focus.