I was never an athlete. I still don’t call myself one. But I do train for a better life, and that’s what I got from training with Donovan.
In mid-2013 I had constant, debilitating back pain. Trips were cut short, housework got ignored. Most doctors said “Exercise. Take ibuprofen. Stretch.” Okay. But the light bulb went up when my friend Marisa mentioned that she had a personal trainer and the three magic words: “No back pain.” Well, sign me up.
I have skipped some days. I have whined plenty, especially on days that were hot. I have whined that I was too weak to lift a kettle bell. But I still went and lifted. Donovan Muldrow does not belittle you or yell at you. He learns how you move and how you learn, he writes your workout programs, and most importantly, he teaches you what your body is capable of and how to do it right. And despite my protests before (okay, and some during), I never, ever leave a workout feeling bad. I am elated, and sweaty, and accomplished, and that is the mark of a most excellent trainer.
The back pain is gone. Granted, it got replaced with a little soreness after leg day, but that reminds you that you worked on something and that something is developing. I have biceps and quads now. I move better. I feel more comfortable in my own skin. What you get out of training with Donovan is a new sense of self-respect, better understanding of the wonders that your mind and body are capable of, a strong desire to test and push beyond your boundaries, and you get the friendship of one of the best men you will ever meet.
As a side note, I noticed while writing this that I had a lot of difficulty finding a “before” picture, because I hated having my picture taken. There’s a lot more recent ones now to use as “afters.” That should tell you something.