I am the world’s first 1 legged professional wrestler, a 13 year veteran of the squared circle and I still remain very active as an in-ring competitor.  As an amputee and a stay-at-home dad to a very active 3 year old, my physical well-being needs to be a priority.  I’ve gotten by up on traditional weight lifting and cardio exercises, but the there has been zero consistency.  I’ll go full head of steam for a month or 2, then take 3 or 4 months off, then go hard for 3 months, then take a month off, ad nauseam.  My diet consistency was more up and down than a yo-yo.  But I got by that way, thanks to my natural athletic ability.  But at what point does simply “getting by” cease to be enough?

That time came for me in the fall of 2014 when I ran into DDP at an independent wrestling show.  I approached Dallas to express gratitude to him for how many  people he has helped.  As I was talking to him, I saw a lightbulb go off in his head.  He asked me, “Have you ever thought about doing DDP Yoga, bro?”  I laughed because I had thought about it, but in my head, it “just wasn’t for me”.  I should say I’m also a recovered alcoholic and addict, my last drink and drug was February 14, 2010 and God willing that date will never change.  The foundation of my recovery process is to maintain an attitude of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness.  How that manifests is me saying the word “yes” a LOT.  When Dallas asked me if I wanted to do the yoga program, I immediately said yes.  Now, because I said yes, I made a commitment.  Another huge part of my recovery is honoring my commitments.  This commitment took the form of the 13 week Advanced DDP Yoga workout plan.  

I remember the first week of doing the workouts!  It was made very clear to me that my balance, flexibility, core, and leg strength were terrible.  I couldn’t figure out how to modify some of the movements (having 1 leg requires to change a few things).  I was uncomfortable and slightly dejected.  I wanted to quit.  

But I made the commitment.  I was going to see it through no matter what.  And something AMAZING happened around week 4 or 5.  It all clicked.  I was stronger, more flexible, and balanced.  I figured out how to modify all of the movements that I couldn’t do before.  I started to feel better after the workouts.  Even more incredible,  I started to LOOK FORWARD to the workouts!  There’s something to be said about sticking with it and not giving up, even in the face of adversity.  At a certain point, after I figured out how to modify the movements to get the same benefit out of them, I felt empowered.  Self-esteem wise, I felt good about myself.  I was becoming stronger mentally and spiritually as well as physically.  DDP Yoga fits right in with my lifestyle.  My in-ring work has never been better, I’m moving around like I’m 18 again.  My body has zero pain.  Zero discomfort.  I’ve been hopping on 1 leg for 22 years, wrestling for 13 of them.  Yet I have zero pain in my body.  

If I can do it and get the results, then you can do it.  Get out of your own way, make that commitment, and don’t quit before the miracle happens.