
A disk had ruptured, and I went from someone who played hockey once or twice a week, to someone who had to use a walker to get to the bathroom and then back to bed.
3 weeks later I had surgery, went to physical therapy, and did the prescribed exercises at home.
I went back to work (I have my own pest control business) but could only work 3 to 4 hours a day before my back couldn’t take it any longer and I’d have to sit down and rest.
My son works with me and he stepped up and picked up the slack. 2 years later things were about the same, my back hurt to some degree 90% of the time and I could only work about 4 hours a day.
My son had an opportunity to work at his wife’s family business and I encouraged him to do so.
I had 6 months lead time to figure out what I was going to do.
I could sell the business, I could scale it back to what I could do, or I could try hiring someone else.
A friend of mine was very enthusiastic about Breakthrough and suggested I try it.
I was concerned about doing something that would hurt my back but he insisted that they teach you proper form and tailor exercises to accommodate any injuries.
I figured okay I’ll try it, I have 6 months before my son leaves, I’ll give it 6 months see what happens and I’ll be into my busy season and have to stop anyway.

Well after 6 months of working out 2 days a week, my back went from hurting 90% of the time to less than 10% of the time.
I could work 8 hours a day 5 days a week. I was a happy camper.
So instead of quitting after 6 months, I stayed with it and started working out 3 days a week.
My business has grown, I’ve been able to keep up with the extra work, (including some back-to-back 12 hour days) and I feel great.
My wife can’t believe that in spite of how busy I’ve been, I’m still committed to working out 3 days a week.
My response was “Look where I am compared to where I was. If I stop I’ll just backslide, and I have no intention of going back to the condition I was in.”
That was no way to live if you don’t have to.
The instructors are sticklers for proper form so you don’t hurt yourself.
The classes are challenging and fun.
My classmates are amazing, and everyone is supportive and encouraging.
It doesn’t matter at what what level you’re are, as long as you make an effort everyone is behind you.

So my advice to anyone is: Invest in yourself, get into an exercise regimen, stick to it, you’ll never regret it.
Paul Kaercher M.S.
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