Boring But Big and Beating Cancer

Boring But Big and Beating Cancer

Note from Jim: I received this email to our store and thought it would be great to share.  This is a great story - both inspiring and educational.

 

Dear Jim,      

I am writing to thank you for what you do – your work changed my life.

I was diagnosed with throat cancer in January of 2020, I was 61 years old at the time and faced throat surgery and then radiation treatment.  I am a life-long training fanatic and have been using your 5/3/1 program in both my training and training of my boys that both went into the military (USMC and USAFA ’17) in our home gym since I purchased it in 2010.  I’ve been a follower of yours ever since, love the work you are doing at London HS, and love your merchandise.  I have purchased numerous shirts, hats, books and I love the knee sleeves

2020 was a brutal year for me – I dropped from a solid 175 pounds pre-surgery to an emaciated 153 pounds at the end of my radiation treatment.  It sucked and I felt weak as hell.  I was able to walk every day and do some limited body weight movements. Some days I could hardly move I was so fatigued from the radiation, and I could not eat very well since my throat was being treated.  I wanted to die.  I was declared cancer free at the end of August 2020 and my journey started.

The next four months I just walked, did body weight movements and used a weight vest (very light) to challenge myself physically and mentally.  In January 2021, I started a year long 5/3/1 program to rebuild myself.  I planned out the entire year of training on paper and started super light, I’m embarrassed to even mention the training maxes I used at the start of the program.  I used Boring But Big (BBB) only and trained every other day: dead lifts and bench press, squats and press.  I had good days and bad days, but I was consistent and never missed a rep and strived for rep PR’s, which kept me motivated.  I stuck to a sound nutrition plan and walked on my off days.  I followed the program as written.

Using your principles, I was able to gain 20 pound of solid muscle over the past year.  I feel 100% better physically and 1000% mentally.  On my 63rd birthday in August I was able to perform 15 dead hang pull ups, 63 strict push-ups, and ran 1 mile in 7:35.  Those numbers were remarkable to me.  My strength is returning, and I look forward to every day again.

I am finishing up another cycle of BBB and have plotted out my training for 2022.  I can’t thank you enough for sharing the 5/3/1 program and principles, your philosophy on training and life.  The 5/3/1 program saved my life.  Thank you and God bless you and your family.

My one year results - 531 BBB

January 24, 2021 after one cycle:
Squat - 155 x 5 reps
Deadlift - 235 x 5 reps
Bench - 160 x 4 reps
Press - 95 x 5 reps

January 22, 2022 after 10th cycle:

Squat -190 x 10 reps
Deadlift - 275 x 11 reps
Bench - 190 x 5 reps
Press - 130 x 4 reps
Boring But Big Wall Sign

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