Stop Accepting Pain as Normal
It is not!
Most people live with pain.
A stiff back every morning.
Knees that take 10 minutes to “wake up.”
Shoulders with a dull, persistent ache that you've quietly accepted as part of life.
But here's the truth: Pain isn't something you have to live with.
You've been conditioned to believe it's normal. I'm here to tell you it's not.
The Moment Pain Becomes Impossible to Ignore
It's easy to live with a little discomfort. You adjust your life around it, hardly noticing the concessions you make every day.
But imagine this scenario:
You're late for work.
You dash out the door and realise the elevator is broken - again.
With no choice, you rush toward the stairs.
One step, fine. Two steps, okay.
By the third flight, your knee locks, your back spasms, and you stop, gripping the handrail, sweat prickling your forehead.
Your heart races. Not just from exertion, but from the sharp realisation:
“How did I let myself get this bad?”
Pain Is Not the Price of Getting Older
Here's the real problem: we've normalised pain.
We think aches and stiffness inevitably come with age.
We assume strength training might worsen our pain or cause injuries.
We convince ourselves that recovery is so slow it's pointless.
Most people handle pain by either ignoring it completely or by continuing activities that aggravate it.
Both paths lead to the same place: a body trapped in chronic discomfort.
You don't have to live like this.
The Day My Body Said “Enough”
Two years ago, I was in the thick of training for my StrongFirst certification. It demanded intense, heavy kettlebell snatches. One session, despite clear signals-tightness gripping my lower back, whispers from my body urging me to ease off-I pushed through, chasing those extra reps.
It was a colossal mistake.
Pain exploded through my spine. What should have been a five-minute walk home became a 45-minute ordeal of staggering agony.
I couldn't roll out of bed. Coughing or sneezing felt like a punch to the gut.
Yet, worse than the physical torment was the relentless self-criticism.
“Had I just ruined months of careful preparation?
How could I have been so fundamentally reckless?
Would I even be able to show up for my certification?”
The physical pain was intense, but the mental anguish cut deeper. I questioned everything-my approach, my judgment, my readiness.
Yet, as always, the setback became my teacher. It showed me how fragile I was-but also how resilient I could become.
The Path from Pain to Strength
That injury occurred in February 2023. Three months later, I passed my StrongFirst Elite test, which included:
100 kettlebell snatches in 5 minutes
A double-bodyweight deadlift
That final rep was more than just victory. It embodied every painful moment I'd endured since February: the tedious breathwork drills, daily core exercises, and meticulous movement retraining. The injury didn't break me-it rebuilt me.
Rehabilitation isn't just physical; it's deeply neurological. You teach your nervous system to trust your movements again. Injuries heal not with aggressive “no pain, no gain” bravado, but with slow, steady, intentional practice.
You Don't Have to Get Used to Pain
Waking up stiff every day, needing a prolonged warm-up just to feel normal-that's a red flag.
It signals compromised recovery, poor sleep quality, and diminished energy.
Your entire day runs at half-capacity without you even realising it.
Pain isn't a badge of honour. It's not proof you worked hard. It's your body's warning that something needs attention.
Here's What to Do Next
Here's how you start (yes, it can actually be this simple):
1. Reject Pain as Normal
Pain is a signal, not a permanent state.
2. Start with Mobility and Stability
Restore movement in your ankles, hips, and thoracic spine. Build core endurance.
3. Consult the Right Expert
Start with a physical therapist or sports doctor before considering invasive treatments.
4. Rebel Against “No Pain, No Gain”
Proper strength training reduces injury risk; recovery demands patience, not heroics.
5. Keep Moving
Even injured, find safe ways to stay active-it helps physically and mentally.
Imagine waking up refreshed, moving freely without hesitation, climbing stairs without worry, and feeling resilient every day.
The Bigger Picture
The past two years deepened my exploration into the nervous system, breathwork, and mindful recovery.
These weren't abstract theories. I felt the difference firsthand every morning when I woke up refreshed instead of stiff. For those over 35, these practices aren't optional-they're transformative.
Your body isn't inherently fragile, but it does require intentional care.
You Are Not Destined for Pain
Injuries may happen, but chronic discomfort doesn't have to be your story.
You can build a body that doesn't merely survive but thrives.
But first, you must reject the idea that pain is inevitable.
Pain isn't your destiny.
Your body isn't fragile.
But it needs the right kind of care.
The daily aches you've normalised aren't inevitable consequences of aging.
They're symptoms of a system that needs attention.
You can build a body that doesn't just "get by" but thrives.
A body that handles stress better, recovers faster, and stays strong for decades. Stop accepting pain as normal.
What Pain Have You Been Ignoring?
Hit reply and tell me. I read every response, and I'll help you figure out the first step.
Would you be interested in some of the mobility and nervous system tools that changed my recovery game? Do let me know.
The rebellion against pain starts now.
Well articulated, Arvind ! Just being reflective of cognitive pain during the workout and it is often overlooked. Thank you Arvind!
Totally agree. But If you have chronic neuro condition the morning wake-up warmups are definitely required