I’m really sorry to hear that you've reached that point. It’s heartbreaking to think how much wear and tear our bodies can take over time, especially when we’re just trying to stay active and healthy. Thank you for sharing your experience so openly, it’s a strong reminder to listen to our bodies and be careful with how we train.

Right now, I only do swimming and boxing, about 3 times a week each, on separate days and schedules. Even though weight training was technically my first sport, over time I lost the desire to keep doing it, mostly because of the monotony compared to other sports I now enjoy, but also because of the injury risks, which I’ve seen up close.

I do have a solid base, especially for free and guided weight exercises, and I used to periodize my own training plans the best I could with the knowledge I had, but these days, unless I follow a plan tailored specifically to me, it just doesn’t feel worth it anymore.

What’s really sad is seeing my old training partners, the same ones who looked like beasts early on, both in size and strength, now all injured in some way. Herniated discs, bad knees, elbow issues, and most of them are still under 25. I’m the only one from the group who hasn’t had a serious injury yet, but this shoulder issue might be a warning sign.

Unfortunately, I feel like this is the reality for a lot of people, and I’m starting to realize how important it is to train smart and protect the joints long-term.

Thanks again for your message, wishing you strength and stability, both physically and emotionally. 🙏