Cultivating Clarity

Read Time: 4 Minutes

Are you in pain?
Maybe that's a good thing.
Hear me out.

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We've all been there:
Sore back despite (because of) not doing anything physical all day long.
Sore neck and shoulders from looking at a computer.
Burning in your fingers and wrist from tending to the keyboard and mouse.
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Background

Laird Hamilton is a professional big wave surfer.
Informed by years of healing injuries, he's developed a radical philosophy surrounding pain.
He's broken his right foot 7 times and had a hip replacement.
But Laird, age 59, hasn't slowed down.

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Laird's Philosophy Around Pain

1. See pain as information

Your discomfort is a sign that something's not right.
It's similar to getting an email at work.
It's neither good nor bad; it's just a message.

The same is true with pain.

Your neck pain is your body asking you to take a break from the computer.

2. Recognize the patterns behind the pain

Maybe there's a certain movement that causes pain.
Or a particular body part is injured, so it hurts.
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Act accordingly--move in a manner that doesn't worsen your problems.

And tend to those nagging injuries via targeted movements.

3. Feel the pain

Laird doesn't like ibuprofen.

In his words, "reduction in your pain is reduction in your healing time."
If your back hurts and you can't find a position of comfort, that's a signal to stay in motion.

Movement encourages blood flow, which accelerates the healing process.

4. Consider the consequences of immobilization

If you're not active, your body can lose up to 1% of its muscle mass per day.

Rebuilding muscle lost to immobilization can quickly become more challenging than healing the injury itself.

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The next time your back starts to ache after a day of sitting, remember Laird's philosophy:

Pain isn't a problem. It's a message.

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One step further:

Laird on The Ready State podcast
​Laird on The Joe Rogan Experience
​Laird on The Gabby Reece Show​

Recommended Reading:

This blog article changed my thinking.
Hard things are hard for everyone.
They only get easier by doing them, over and over.
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​What Do You Want to Want? by Kyle Eschenroeder​

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Parting Thoughts:

If you're a busy professional who struggles with your health, I'd love to hear more about what's tripping you up.
Maybe you don't have time for fitness.
Every time you start training you tweak your back.
You have kids who require your time and attention.
Whatever it is, I'd love to hear.
Reply to this and tell me what's standing between you and improving your health.

If you'd like to hear from me more frequently, follow me on LinkedIn.
If you're looking for 1:1 support on your journey to health, you can book a free introductory call with me here.

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Until next week,

Marcus

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