Broken Symmetry, Kintsugi, and the Athlete of Aging

[@redneckinthebardo]

This is exactly what I didn't know I needed to hear today. I just ended a 6 month online diet and exercise coaching program which was, for me, an expensive failed experiment. Even though I thought I was in that company's target demographic as a post-menopausal woman in her 50s, I was apparently way too complex and broken for their program to apply to me, and my coach didn't have the ability to customize and train me as an individual, even though that's how they market themselves in their quasi-predatory way. So, with the help of your book and your videos, my own ongoing research and knowledge of my own capabilities, I will just train myself. I will also look into becoming a Greysteel patron.

[@kenjishab]

At 65 yrs old, I had a massive heart attack 3 weeks ago. Prior to that I was training and in great shape. The word I was thinking for this is FUBAR, but “Kintsugi” seems a much more positive term. Thanks for this.

[@xyzct]

Sorry to hear that, brother. That must be a real shock. As a wise person told me many moons ago, health is the ability to adapt.

[@andreperiquito5989]

For my own knowledge, what is the reason, do you know why? Any of the normal risk factors?

[@johnnickless2529]

Ya wow that was beautiful. I turned 54 Sunday. It marks my 40th year lifting. I am very flawed from injury but still plugging away. This video was inspirational

[@duxnlabs]

Beautifully written and presented. Thank you.

[@ecab6740]

Going to the gym with new framing and mindset. Thank you!

[@ChrisMosner]

What a way to begin my day - I'm an elementary school principal and look forward to introducing the term "kintsugi" to the staff. Incidentally, I work on the Rosebud Lakota Reservation. Lakota beaders traditionally include an off-color bead to "spoil" the pattern. Nothing is perfect. I've missed your content recently. Happy to see the new environs - studio looks great!

[@anthonyhulse1248]

Cool: I teach kids from a Dene reserve in Alberta. I’ve learned a lot from them.

[@juanpablopalacios812]

Great video Dr. Thank you foe posting it!!

[@sonyagrace1918]

I absolutely love this. Thank you.

[@northernlights6459]

Deeply philosophical. Thank you Dr Sully.

[@danlauffer8540]

Beautifully put. "Healing only comes to open wounds", so Christians and other wisdom tell us. Thanks for the insights from one with a bad shoulder and trouble doing presses.

[@anthonyhulse1248]

A timely video. Having recovered from cancer and knee replacement and an ankle fusion I was feeling really proud of my accomplishments under the bar, but I’ve just been hit with two new challenges, a shoulder impingement that I just can’t work through and a bout of diverticulitis, which has flattened me. Part of being an athlete of ageing is constantly facing obstacles and finding ways to go round through or over them. It’s tiring but it’s so worth it.

[@robertreynolds564]

Thanks much coach for your perspective and inspirational insights! I needed this as I'll be entering my eighth decade this summer. Time for a sequel to The Barbell Prescription or perhaps another literary undertaking?

[@Second2LastPioneer]

Congratulations on the new gym 👍

[@Hyperionid]

This is frankly one of the most wonderful videos when it comes to excerise above a certain age. It addresses the inconvenient truth that few like to admit openly. However there is a complex, compeling yet beautiful realization when we come to terms with our particularity and - well - our weakness in comparisson. We can evolve, mature, progress by embracing what we are, we can mature without resigning.

[@deeess7082]

That was lyrical ❤ I never comment but this video got me coming out of the woodwork when all the other excellent strengthen training videos got only a quick 👍🏼

[@gregorymccoy6797]

Very good essay. You are quite the wordsmith Dr.

[@arymniak1]

Excellent insight - and a great way to keep everything in proper order. Kintsugi.

[@BillLinAZ]

As a lifter in my early 60s I really appreciate these videos. Thank you.

[@scottsilva2325]

Really great analogies👍🏻

[@elisacohenusa]

Thank you for such an inspiring post.

[@biknjak]

Wow. Well said, Dr. Sully! "Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Three total hip replacements and a heart attack, here. I drive my orthopedic surgeon nuts because all I can talk about is "Yeah, but when can I start deadlifting again?!"😅 I really enjoyed this video. When things break, you've got two choices. Stay broken (or worse) or heal and be stronger. As you said - it's all around us in life in the physical world. Welds, scars and on and on. My drill sergeant said it best decades ago, "Get up, shake it off, and drive on. You can mourn later". I enjoy your videos and philosophy and am seriously considering your training (although I do enjoy doing curls and riding my bike!)😂

[@denisbeaulieu5600]

Very thoughtful perspective and I will be looking for asymetry to celebrate in my day to day

[@robertmendelson7724]

I am watching this waiting for the ice pack to get cold again for the new tendinitis in my left elbow (9ne of those screw curtain rods got me, sigh), I am thinking about all of my asymmetries and those of my friends. We all adapt and move on. I love your channel and the wisdom you bring to active aging.

[@GreySteel]

Thank you. Heal up soon!

[@Abraham_Kist-Okazaki]

Back when I was training at Gold's Gym in Harajuku, I used to joke that I was doing 金トレ, now I think I might call the process 筋継ぎ! Thanks for the thoughtful message.

[@TheDoctor23452]

Hope you are recovering well. Glad to see you. Beautiful talk for those seeking "perfection".

[@4Zelda1]

Good timing to watch this video! Healing from pneumonia and sepsis. This path is so different than a muscle or bone issue! Slowly painting the gold into my lungs :)

[@c.o.i.l.fitness850]

Absolutely perfectly said. Thank you so much for the shift in perspective. I really needed this.

[@robertthompson5501]

Heavy Man!🏋‍♂️🏊🦊

[@DS-vu5yo]

Well done

[@richsaborsky5398]

So Cool! Thanks Sully!

[@randybungo2941]

Interesting philosophy. work around the damage and repair with gold. Apply to training. I repair broken pieces with Hotmelt glue,JB weld, duct tape. Finding what works on your body is the challenge.

[@stevethomas7146]

beautiful

[@xyzct]

If I may hint at the beautiful obverse of the symmetry coin. Amalie Emmy Noether (1882-1935) was a Jewish German mathematician who made many stupendous contributions to the incredibly important and central field of abstract algebra, at a time when there were basically no women in mathematics. The mathematical giants of the time held her in the highest regard. Few are aware that she was a mathematical mentor to Einstein; his theory of general relativity is really but one application of her ideas. But this chick didn't just kick the boys' asses in mathematics. She looked over at the physics sandbox and said, "Hey guys, underlying every one of your cute little conservation laws that you so cherish -- you know, conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, conservation of angular momentum, conservation of charge - is a symmetry," (the symmetry of translation in time, translation in space, rotation, and local gauge symmetry, respectively). Her insight that underlying every conservation law is a symmetry is known as Noether's theorem, and it is one of the most beautiful and important concepts in modern physics. No physicist can get an honest day's work done without leaning on her insight. And amazingly, she didn't even lift!

[@GreySteel]

Thank you. Yes, Noetherr is a hero of mine.

[@xyzct]

@@GreySteel, wow, Sully, I'm impressed yet again. Most have never heard of her. You're certainly an interesting character! Btw, there are some really enjoyable YT videos on Emmy Noether. Hers is quite a story.

[@martystrasinger3801]

“A thing isn’t beautiful because it lasts. It’s a privilege to be among them.” I thought it odd that in the Marvel comic movies, the two best lines were said by an android. This one, and “What is grief if not love enduring”.

[@larslange4078]

Well, I have a lot of Kintsugi in my martial Arts and my strength training.

[@MikeBarbarossa]

"You , who needs a safety squat bar" Me? I have impossibly oversized shoulder blades. They crowd and bump together before I can get in squat position with a regular bar. My shoulders have to stretch way too much, and it just hurts too much when I try

[@Redranddd]

My left ear likes this video

[@wtm567]

Wow

[@ezequiel689]

No matter what the people say against the deadlift, in the end, i need my barbell dosis at least once a week. When i'm moving heavy weights whith a barbell i'm free.

[@edwatson4997]

👍

[@trevorkejarukua1195]

you look like you lift, how come Ripp doesn't

[@GreySteel]

You would have to ask him. I assure you he does, in fact lift....and heavy.

[@dbongo1]

So we all have cracks/problems as we age? I always wondered why I hurt at times. Thank you for the enlightment captain obvious.

[@GreySteel]

Thanks for watching. Sorry you failed to take the point. I take comfort from the comments of the many others who seem to get it.