From Setback to New Beginning: Why I’m Returning to Bodybuilding
It’s taken me a little while to put this into words. When injuries happen, it’s not just your body that takes a hit, it’s your mindset, your confidence, and your sense of direction. Over the past few months, I’ve had to face all of that head on once again. Only this time, is a little bit different.
The Quad Tear That Changed Everything
On August 18th, while squatting with the safety squat bar, I was going for a set of 6 at 525lbs. On the third rep, I felt the dreaded pop. I knew immediately it wasn’t good.
An urgent care visit, MRI, and follow ups confirmed it was a grade 2 quad tear. Thankfully, it wasn’t the tendon, so no surgery needed, but I was looking at 6-8 weeks of recovery.
What made this harder is that training on the SSB was all I had after my bicep tear surgery. While stuck in an arm brace, I couldn’t train upper body the way I normally would, so I made it a point to hammer my legs. The SSB became my training partner and then, just like that, while squatting with the arm brace on, it was gone too.
For a stretch, I couldn’t train upper or lower body, aside from physical therapy for my arm. I had time to think... Time I didn’t want, but time I needed.
The Reality Check
I had to ask myself some tough questions:
Do I want to grind through another powerlifting prep, knowing the risk of injury only increases as the weights climb?
Do I want to keep pushing toward max weights when an injury just happened with only around 80% of my max?
Or is it time to reevaluate and challenge myself in a different way?
That reality check hit me harder than the injury itself.
Full Circle: Back to Where It All Started
Before I ever competed in powerlifting, I stepped on stage as a natural bodybuilder. I competed in 2011 and 2012, before switching to powerlifting in 2013. I honestly thought I’d never return to bodybuilding because I hated politics, the subjectiveness, and the massive egos involved in men’s bodybuilding. But as I sat with my thoughts during recovery, something inside me shifted.
Bodybuilding is a different kind of grind. It’s brutally hard, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. I’ve always said it’s harder than powerlifting and I will always stand by that. The training is different, the discipline with nutrition is relentless, and the daily grind doesn’t let up, but it also comes with less wear and tear on the joints and a chance to challenge myself in a new way.
This is more than just training. It’s a chance to step back into an arena I once left behind, with a new mindset, a new level of experience, and a new purpose.
What This Means Moving Forward
I’ve committed to this next chapter fully. I’ve brought on Anthony Cecere, a coach I know, trust, and someone who knows what it’s like to fight through setbacks himself, to guide me through this process.
When I do something, I give it 100%. This will be no different.
This isn’t about where I place on stage. It’s about proving that setbacks don’t define us, they redirect us. They challenge us to grow in ways we didn’t expect.
I’ll be sharing my journey openly on my social media IG @sheridanstrength…
The differences between bodybuilding and powerlifting.
The lessons I learn along the way.
The progress I make, physically and mentally.
And of course, my passion for powerlifting doesn’t change, I’ll still be fully dedicated to coaching my athletes in The Crew and helping them chase their strongest selves. It’s where my heart will always be.
Closing Thoughts
If there’s one thing I hope people take from this, it’s that no matter how many times life knocks you down, there are always new paths forward. You just have to be willing to take them.
This is my new beginning and I’m determined to make it the best chapter yet.
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