FLEX
134 MUSCLE & FITNESS^ /^ AUGUST 2019
We caught up with Phil *not that he
is difficult to catch at the moment*
to see how the recovery is going and
how long before he is back kicking
ass at strongman events.FLEX: What’s it been like going back in
the gym after such a sickening accident?
Phil: Going back to the gym was stressful.
I had to have someone with me the entire
time. I was so unsteady on my feet. I had
to have someone pass me everything, my
weights, crutches, everything. As time
progressed, I needed less and less help.
Now, I can easily walk to the dumbbells,
grab a weight and walk back to the bench.
I stopped using crutches a few weeks ago.FLEX: Are you managing to do the
exercises you need to?
Phil: Obviously, I can’t do any strongman
training, as it would involve too much
standing on my foot. I can do most normal
bodybuilding style exercises. As I said,
I can’t do standing exercises. This is
because I don’t have the strength or the
reflexes in the ankle or foot. If I were
to stumble, I can’t put my foot out fast
enough and stabilise myself to stop me
from falling over. So, everything must be
seated at the moment. My upper body
is starting to increase down to the sheer
amount that I’m training it compared to
anything lower body wise.FLEX: Has your consultant been happy
with your progress?
Phil: The consultant warned me. He said,
“Don’t expect hardly any changes in the
x-ray at the six-week mark.” He noted that
the six-week mark would be too soon to
see any of the bones fusing or making any
marked improvements. But, when they
did the x-ray, we were all taken back. The
bones had made a significant improvement,
and we could visibly see the bones already
starting to fuse. The consultant was
shocked but pleased at my fast recovery.FLEX: Mentally, what was it like to feel
you have to start from the beginning
of your career again?Phil: I won’t lie; it’s been hard. Especially
once the severity of the accident sunk
in, my pride has taken a huge hit. I have
lost so much weight, I was 24 stone
when I had the accident, and now I am
20 stone. So, I don’t feel like I did back
then. I look in the mirror and see a
complete stranger, and my brain knows
that I don’t look right, not what I’m
used to. I am not as full as I used to
be due to the size loss. The biggest
shock is people not being as bothered
with you. When I was winning shows,
there was always a lot of people
hanging around me.
It was almost like they were basking in
my glory and notoriety. I have lost a couple
of friends since the accident. I have since
learnt that people are willing to associate
with you when you’re at the top, but
when something happens, and you
have nothing to give them, they vanish.
This is the most valuable life lesson
I’ve learnt. Those that stay with you
when times are hard are your real friends.
The hangers-on are not worth my time.FLEX: What do you think you will feel like
when you win your first trophy after you
have fully recovered, knowing what you
have gone through?
Phil: After having to feel like I’m
starting from the beginning and going
so far back. That first win will be
emotional I’m sure. When you have
to work so hard to get somewhere,
knowing what a difficult journey you
have walked to get there, it makes it
even more gratifying and rewarding.
I do admit, I will be terrified doing
the atlas stones for the first time.
But I have to do them. I have done
them a thousand times before, and
once I get over the fear, I’m sure
I won’t ever worry again.