Ever since I was 13 years old, I have been dealing with persistent pain in various parts of my body. Sound familiar?

Whether it was pulling a groin muscle every time I played hockey or experiencing uncontrollable jaw locking causing immense pain, growing up in a physically demanding sport taught me to play through pain, even when I probably shouldn't have, due to the fear of being considered "soft."

As I got older, I started weightlifting, but I never felt physically at my best. I learned that my jaw locking issue was temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), but I couldn't figure out why my groin always hurt. I simply brushed it off as something everyone had to endure. Eventually, I moved to the east coast to pursue my dream of playing college hockey. At that point, my body was constantly in pain – my hips, neck, and breathing were all affected, with oxygen seemingly unable to reach beyond my chest.

Then, one fateful day during a pregame warmup, I felt a slight dislocation of my shoulder while reaching for a tennis ball. It was an "oh shit" moment, but sticking to my "play through the pain" mindset, I didn't seek medical attention or tell my coach. Looking back, this decision was both a significant mistake and a turning point in my life.

The pain in my left shoulder eventually became unbearable. It hindered my sleep and caused my arm to go numb whenever I raised it over my head – all while still dealing with constant hip pain. That's when I realized I needed help. I consulted with over five doctors, but they all assured me that my shoulder was fine. Physical therapists told me I would have to live with these issues for life, but at the age of 20, I refused to accept that.

I stumbled upon yoga, which provided some pain relief and improved body control, but it didn't address the underlying problems. I also tried massage and chiropractic treatments, which offered temporary relief but didn't solve the root issues. Daily stretching seemed promising, but it only offered short-term benefits. It became evident that I was missing something crucial – the root cause of my problems. I needed a solution that not only loosened my tight muscles but also strengthened my weak ones. This "a-ha" moment led me to correct my own posture and escape daily pain. Now, I want to share my knowledge with you, so you don't have to endure the painful learning experiences I went through for six years. Spare yourself from that suffering.