All summer I worked hard on transforming my body into the best that I have achieved thus far in my 27 years of life. On October 4th, I was training with my trainer and was only two reps away from completing a part of the workout. The leg press with one leg was something I enjoyed and done well on; however my leg muscle gave out and I found myself to be injured like never before. I wanted to go home and quit, but my trainer didn’t let me give up. He spoke with such positivity about how this is going to be, and we will continue to find ways to reach new levels while making sure that I would be comfortable and healthy. I was unsure of how I would return from this traumatic moment; all night I thought if I would be able to recover. Because of the positivity and empowerment that my trainer gave me, I was able to come back and continue the exercises that are helping me not only become physically stronger but mentally stronger.

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I felt that he used the COPE method by communicating with me on the steps to move forward. He offered a lot by asking me what I wanted to do and how I felt, asking me to decide what to do. He offered to grab the weights for me moving forward and to hand them to me when needed. The positivity factor has been the biggest part because he has encouraged me that this is not a negative experience, but that we will make it a positive and find the best outcome. His positivity has really pushed me to wanting to continue and fight. Lastly, he has empowered me in deciding what I want to do and if a certain exercise may not feel right, that I have the decision to change it. He used the COPE method to help me recover mentally when I truly felt the weakest in the past few days. By using the COPE method and being such a positive person, he was able to assist me in my belief that I will come back stronger than ever.

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