From Injury to Strength A Decade of Showing Up and Getting Stronger

I’ve been training with Don for over a decade, and I can honestly say it’s been a very positive impact on my life.

I first came to him after a serious back and hip injury from a hockey game. I was left on the ice with no power in my left leg and couldn’t even stride back to the bench. I had already seen several physiotherapists and ART specialists with little success. When I met Don, his approach was completely different. Instead of chasing the pain, he looked at my body as a system and figured out which parts of the chain were weak and contributing to the problem.

We started with the fundamentals. A lot of bodyweight work focused on getting the right muscles to fire, especially my core and glutes. As I learned what proper movement was supposed to feel like, we gradually added load and built real strength. That foundation made a huge difference in relieving my back pain. From there, we expanded into full body training, strengthening the entire chain, not just the problem areas. I got to the point where I was back squatting 315 lbs for 2 reps for the first time. It was such a powerful moment for me to realize how far I came, from bodyweight squats to lifting almost double my weight at the time.

What really sets Don apart is his deep understanding of how the body works as a whole. I remember doing breathing drills with a balloon or lying over a soccer ball thinking this is weird. But those exercises helped free up my diaphragm, allowed my core to engage properly again, and played a big role in getting me out of pain.

Even after I recovered, I kept training with him and still do. I realized this wasn’t just about getting back on the ice. It was about working towards a longer life, long term health, and resilience for everyday life.

Don isn’t easy. The workouts are tough. He holds you accountable. He won’t let you cut corners, drop weight for no reason, or skip the hard stuff. It’s tough love. But you know it’s because he understands your strengths, knows your capabilities, and truly cares about your progress.

Over the years at Corexcellence, I’ve also gained something I didn’t expect, a community. The people there motivate you, support you, and become friends. You walk out of every session feeling accomplished and one step closer to your goals.

I continue to look forward to the early morning workouts and working with Don for many more years to come!

-Micheal