Break down, build up: Coaching, mentoring, leadership insights from muscle spasm rupture

I want to share a true life story of my recent experience with a muscle spasm rupture in my lower back. It was Easter Monday afternoon, and I had decided to take advantage of the holiday to run some errands. One of the errands was to change a flat tire on my car.

I had changed tires many times before, so I did not anticipate any problems. However, I soon encountered a tough bolt that was challenging to remove. In my frustration, I exerted too much force, causing me to lose my balance and fall to the ground. When I landed, I felt a sudden, sharp pain in my lower back.

At first, I thought it was just a muscle strain and tried to continue with the tire change, but the pain only got worse. I eventually went to see a chiropractor who diagnosed me with a muscle spasm rupture. The pain was intense and made it difficult for me to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Simple activities like walking or bending over became challenging, and I had to make adjustments to my daily routine to accommodate my injury.

The experience was a humbling reminder of the importance of taking care of one’s physical health and seeking the necessary treatment when needed. As a mental health advocate and coaching psychologist, I am always emphasizing the importance of prioritizing mental health. However, this experience reminded me that physical health is equally essential and should not be taken for granted.

Despite the discomfort, I will continue with my chiropractic treatments and  the recommended stretches and exercises to help alleviate the pain and promote healing as the chiropractor indicated it would take some four to eight weeks to fully recover. I am fortunate to have access to quality healthcare and supportive friends and family who are helping me through this difficult time.

As I reflected on my experience from this muscle spasm rupture in my lower back, I identified five key insights that can inform coaching, mentoring, and leadership practices:

1. Mindfulness is essential for self-care: This experience has highlighted the importance of being mindful of one’s body and taking proactive measures to maintain optimal physical health. Leaders, mentors and coaches can encourage individuals to prioritize self-care and promote mindfulness practices to foster well-being and resilience.

2. Safety and risk management are critical: The experience has shown that taking unnecessary risks can result in significant injury and impact one’s ability to function. Coaches, mentors and leaders can emphasize the importance of safety and risk management practices, such as proper training and the use of appropriate equipment, to prevent injuries and promote physical health.

3. Seeking help is a sign of strength: In seeking the necessary treatment and support, I have learned that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Coaches, mentors and leaders can create a supportive environment that encourages individuals to seek help when needed and promotes a culture of well-being.

4. Adversity can be a catalyst for growth: The experience has been challenging, but it has also provided an opportunity for growth and learning. Coaches, mentors and leaders can help individuals reframe adversity as an opportunity for growth and resilience-building and support them in developing coping strategies to navigate difficult times.

5. Health is a critical component of leadership: This experience has reinforced the idea that physical health is a critical component of effective leadership. Coaches, mentors and leaders can prioritize their own physical health and model healthy behaviours to promote well-being and inspire their teams to prioritize their health as well.

Overall, these insights highlight the importance of prioritizing physical health and well-being, fostering a culture of support and resilience, and embracing adversity as an opportunity for growth and learning in coaching, mentoring, and leadership practices.