How to Rally by Richard Ader

Author:Richard Ader
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Forefront Books
Published: 2021-11-09T00:00:00+00:00

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But how do you actually do it? How do you move past these obstacles that initially seem impossible to overcome, in life or in recovery? For me, the biggest piece of advice is that so much more of it is mental than you realize. Your body may be standing in your way, but that’s why you rely on your doctors and therapists and trainers. They know the exercises you need and the treatments that will give you the best shot. They can help you with the physical piece. But they can’t help you find that desire and access that mental strength.

My assistant, Barbara, talks about my willpower to resist even the most tempting bowl of candy on her desk, even when it’s something she knows I’d enjoy. But here’s the thing: I wouldn’t enjoy it knowing that it was something I wasn’t supposed to be eating. I wouldn’t enjoy it knowing that it was going to keep me from being my best.

Whether it’s food, or television, or anything else you might be tempted to overindulge in, you have to focus on the knowledge that in the end, it’s not worth it. It’s not worth skipping a workout because you’ll never get that day back, and you’ll be one day behind in your race to recover. If you skip today, what stops you from skipping tomorrow, and the day after that? Pretty soon, you’re still in bed, weaker and weaker, and then it’s that much harder to start a new streak.

I see such willpower, such mental strength, in the kids who come for programs at the tennis center I built in Vermont. It isn’t easy for them to always show up, do their homework, and take part in the activities we provide (which I’ll talk more about later in this book). It isn’t easy for them to skip hanging out with their friends, and potentially getting in trouble, but they understand that their futures depend on making good choices and building a better life for themselves. So they push through the short-term temptations, and come, day after day, until it’s no longer a choice but something they do, and something they love.

We have all seen the stories on television of people born with missing limbs or members of the armed forces returning from battle with challenging injuries. Their strength and determination are inspiring. Matt Stutzman is a medal-winner in archery at the Paralympics and holds the world record for the longest accurate shot. He was born without arms and uses his teeth to string the bow. If that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what would.

I didn’t think my own recovery would be as long or as hard as it has been. I’ve been at it for two years as I write this. I see progress almost every day, but I want so much more. Do I enjoy physical therapy? Not always, but I know it helps, so of course I’m going to do it. It’s not even a question.

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