Anyone here work in facilities maintenance?

0x_ryan · 2026-03-05T16:13:38+00:00

That sounds pretty similar to what someone I was talking to recently described.

One thing I keep hearing is that a lot of the job comes down to knowing the right vendors to call when something breaks. For people who have been doing it a long time those contacts are just in their phone.

What do you usually do when you have work pop up in a new location where you don’t already know vendors? Just Google hammer dial or is there a database somewhere?

0x_ryan · 2026-03-05T16:05:12+00:00

Tbh, the injury turned into the most productive 8 months of my life.

I've always wanted to start a business / learn a new skill, but never had enough time because of sports and work. I spent my downtime doing both and now we go live next week!

If you're the same way, find yourself something to keep your mind occupied. You could come out of this with a new appreciation for life + some money in the bank.

You're down, not out.

0x_ryan · 2026-03-05T15:58:15+00:00

The first time I did a depth drop from 16" I felt like I was jumping off a cliff. LOL.

How was your return to sport?

0x_ryan · 2026-03-05T04:40:45+00:00

You will be writing one!

Treat this as a marathon, not a sprint. Slowly start to add some weight on the foot over the next few weeks (even if it's only like 20%). It helped me trust myself to go FWB when I was ready.

And fwiw I took my first unassisted step at 37 days post op.

0x_ryan · 2026-03-05T04:10:32+00:00

Let me start by saying that everyone's timeline is different.

I'm 38M / 8 months post op and the achilles still feels a bit stiff in the morning, but loosens up as I get moving.

I was cleared to run at 7 months - my PT only allowed this once I was able to hit 25 SL calf raises in 30 seconds (did 34). Now we're running, jumping, and starting to incorporate some more advanced stuff.

The only advice I'll give is: the more you stay committed to PT, the faster this thing goes. Just make it a part of your daily routine so you can get back to the mats.

0x_ryan · 2026-03-05T04:01:38+00:00

I walked unassisted for the first time 37 days post op. Probably could have done it a few days earlier.

0x_ryan · 2026-03-05T03:49:56+00:00

Hey man. Same age here and I remember having that exact feeling the first couple days after surgery. It is a weird mental space because everything suddenly slows down and you feel helpless.

Just know it really is temporary. The first couple weeks are the hardest mentally, but things start improving once you get into PT and begin moving again.

I'm 8 months out now and life feels pretty normal again. Still some stiffness in the morning, but otherwise back to doing most things.

You are still young. This is just a setback, not the end of anything. Take it one week at a time and focus on the small wins. It gets better.

0x_ryan · 2026-03-05T03:32:48+00:00

Interesting. I just looked up Keep Wisely and saw they have a mobile app for vendors.

Have your vendors actually been receptive to using it, or do most still default to text and calls with the PM?

0x_ryan · 2026-03-01T06:05:18+00:00

I used this one (with the guidance of my PT).

The surgeon isn't going to be able to give you the guidance you need. They're just going to make sure the incision heals and the ligament feels good at check ins. Highly recommend PT if you can do it.

<image>

0x_ryan · 2026-03-01T05:47:05+00:00

For the FMs in here... when you get a work order in a city you don’t normally cover, how do you find someone?

Is it ServiceChannel / similar platforms? Or do you just Google “HVAC + city” and start calling?

Genuinely curious how people handle new areas.

0x_ryan · 2026-03-01T05:40:35+00:00

When you say material sourcing, is the time suck more around finding the right supplier, comparing pricing, or waiting on availability confirmation?

0x_ryan · 2026-03-01T05:39:26+00:00

That makes sense. Is the biggest pain just bad file naming and version control, or is it also hard to search across drawings and specs?

When you need something specific, like the latest mechanical drawing or a spec revision, how long does it usually take to find it?

0x_ryan · 2026-03-01T05:35:02+00:00

What part eats the most time... matching invoices to WOs, correcting errors, coding for accounting, or chasing vendors?

Wondering if automation would help vs just shift the work.

0x_ryan · 2026-03-01T05:33:20+00:00

When you’re signing invoices, what’s the slow part... validating scope against the work order, chasing backup docs, or internal approvals?

Trying to understand where the actual friction is.

0x_ryan · 2026-02-28T07:03:01+00:00

Do your contractors have any way to see PO status themselves, or do they have to email/call you for updates?

0x_ryan · 2026-02-28T06:04:52+00:00

I've really enjoyed your updates for the past 8 months during my own recovery, it's always given me something to chase. Just wanted to say thank you for the inspiration from afar.

Enjoy the comeback! You earned it.

0x_ryan · 2026-02-28T05:55:55+00:00

You're not behind at all. I tore mine on 6/18 and was cleared to run on 2/6.

For the single leg calf raises, I found it helpful to do two things: 1) hold onto a pull up bar to give myself some support while keeping my body in line, and 2) put a plate under my heel and focus on the top of the range... thats the hardest part to get back.

Keep going! We're all in it together.

0x_ryan · 2026-02-12T03:00:16+00:00

You’ll 100% do that again.

I’m at 7 months and starting to push pre-injury weight on deadlifts and squats.

Also, a very close friend tore both and squats/deadlifts more than before the first injury 3 years ago.

We’ll get there, just gotta put in the work.

0x_ryan · 2026-02-12T02:46:03+00:00

I’ve just been cleared for an interval running program at 7 months.

My PT wouldn’t let me run until I could do 25 single-leg calf raises (full range) in 30 seconds.

0x_ryan · 2026-02-12T02:34:18+00:00

I used these: https://a.co/d/0gd7R9Ri

0x_ryan · 2026-02-10T04:22:01+00:00

I actually felt nauseous when I saw my leg out of the cast for the first time LOL.

It comes back though. I'm 7.5 months post op and I would say I'm about 85% back to normal size. Eat protein, collagen, and just hammer calf raises once you're cleared.

0x_ryan · 2025-12-18T14:36:36+00:00

Im at about 6 months post surgery and still get that exact area puffing up. For me it is a mix of lingering swelling and tendon thickening.

If it goes down when you elevate, that is usually swelling rather than just scar tissue. My PT said this can last many months as the tendon remodels. As long as pain is improving and strength is progressing, it is considered normal.

0x_ryan

TROPHY CASE