44 Years of Iron,
Built to Last
Behind Long Game Lifting is a lifter who has trained regularly since 1982, earned three advanced degrees, survived nine surgeries, 13 damaged spinal discs, a car accident, a decade of beer league hockey, roughly a dozen concussions, and emerged with a training philosophy that prioritizes longevity over ego.
The Journey
From an 11-year-old picking up a barbell for the first time in 1979 to a lifelong advocate for adaptive strength training.
Early Setbacks
Two left inguinal hernia surgeries at ages 9 and 18. Even before the barbell entered the picture, the body was already learning to recover and rebuild.
First Time Under the Bar
First bench press at age 11. By the summer of 1982, regular training became a way of life—a commitment that has never stopped.
Car Accident at 16
A car accident knocked the hips out of alignment—damage that wouldn't fully reveal itself for another 25 years. Training continued regardless, building strength around a problem that was quietly getting worse.
Bilateral Shoulder Repairs
Both shoulders required SLAP repair surgery. Months of rehabilitation, years of adaptation, and a completely rebuilt approach to pressing movements. Every bench press and overhead movement had to be reimagined from scratch.
Carpal Tunnel Release & Hip Diagnosis
Bilateral carpal tunnel release surgery restored grip strength that had been deteriorating for years. That same year, at age 41, orthopedic surgeons delivered the verdict: both hips needed replacement. Six different surgeons all said the same thing.
Hockey Ends
A decade of beer league hockey—which had been wearing down already-damaged hip cartilage—ended abruptly when a slapshot to the jaw caused a concussion and permanent tinnitus. After roughly a dozen concussions over the years, doctors said the cumulative damage made continued play too dangerous.
Bilateral Hip Replacements
Both hips replaced—February and July 2015. The car accident at 16 had left the hips misaligned, and a decade of hockey ground down what cartilage remained. With new titanium joints came new possibilities and a data-driven approach to recovery.
Knee Surgery
Left knee meniscus partial removal—33% of the meniscus taken out. Another setback, another adaptation, another reason to train smarter instead of harder.
Spinal Diagnosis
MRI imaging in February and October 2024 revealed extensive spinal damage across all three regions: 6 herniated discs and 7 bulging discs spanning the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine—plus widespread disc desiccation, spondylosis, Schmorl's nodes, and spinal canal stenosis at multiple levels. Deadlifting was eliminated entirely, and barbell squats were capped at 225 pounds. Machine work like 360-pound hack squats continues. Training adapted once again—the bar never stops moving, even when the spine says slow down.
Long Game Lifting
Born in 1968, training since 1982—over four decades under the bar. Combining that experience with three advanced degrees to help others train smarter, recover better, and build strength that lasts. Nine surgeries, 13 damaged discs, bilateral hip replacements, and still showing up.
Academic Credentials
Three degrees that bring analytical rigor and evidence-based thinking to every training recommendation.
Bachelor of Science
Information Technology
Foundation in systematic thinking and problem-solving applied to training methodology.
Master of Science
Cybersecurity & Information Assurance
Risk assessment principles applied to injury prevention and training safety.
Master of Science
Data Analytics
Evidence-based approach to programming, recovery tracking, and performance optimization.
Forged Through Adversity
The story starts before the barbell. Two left inguinal hernia surgeries—at ages 9 and 18—meant that even before training became serious, the body was already learning to heal and come back. A car accident at 16 knocked the hips out of alignment, setting up problems that would take 25 years to fully surface.
In 2004, bilateral shoulder SLAP repairs meant a complete reconstruction of pressing mechanics. Every bench press, every overhead movement had to be reimagined from scratch. Five years later in 2009, bilateral carpal tunnel release restored grip strength that had been failing for years. That same year, at 41, six different orthopedic surgeons all delivered the same verdict: both hips needed replacement.
A decade of beer league hockey had been grinding down hip cartilage that was already compromised from the car accident. In 2014, a slapshot to the jaw ended hockey for good—causing a concussion and permanent tinnitus. After roughly a dozen concussions over the years, doctors said the cumulative damage made it too dangerous to continue. Both hips were replaced in 2015—February and July. Then in 2017, a partial meniscus removal took 33% of the left knee meniscus.
Nine surgeries, a car accident, a decade of hockey, and a dozen concussions. Most people would have stopped. But each surgery became a laboratory. Each recovery became a lesson. And those lessons—documented, analyzed, and refined—are now shared here so others facing similar challenges know that the barbell does not have to be surrendered. It just needs to be respected.