Finish never is by Samuel Frauenstein
“Finish never is…” – Hansie Cronje
These words echoed in my mind as I was lying in hospital a week after surgery on my legs. Between the pain of tearing all the muscles in both quads, ripping off all the ligaments and tendons on both knees and breaking both kneecaps and the fear of never being able to train, let alone compete again, I had very little keeping me going.
The stench of failure and disappointment mixed with the piercing smell of disinfectant. The only visible movement was my finger on the “call” button as I couldn’t even go to the toilet alone. This was humiliating and took the last bit of self-respect I had left.
I competed in a strongman show where I had bettered every previous lift and event I had ever done. I was on top of the world. I was beating the greats and making a name for myself. Until a freak accident on the car flip event. All the competitors and my new friends came to my rescue as the car that had slipped out of my hands was crushing my legs. I recall ripping off a fingernail from digging my fingers into the earth to try and cope with the pain. Falling in and out of consciousness my strongman career and in fact my life made a blurry mess of the faces starring at me.
At the hospital I was told that I would never train again, that I am lucky to have not lost my legs entirely.
I share this with you to give you an idea of the low I hit. Everything I valued and that I thought defined me was about to get taken away. Fortunately I have God on my side and I trusted He would find a way for me to rise again.
After a second opinion from a top surgeon I was told I could compete again in 8 months. Id be walking by 5 months without the help of a walker or crutches.
Fast forward 3 months and I’m back in the gym, walking on my own, doing rehab and feeling strong. Prepping for nationals in 4 months. “Finish never is”. Those words will be my mantra for 2012. There is never a point were you are finished. You can always push a little more. Not even death is the end, it is the beginning.
“I can do all things through Him that strengthens me” Phil. 4:13, should be tattooed on the heart of every warrior. My best friend told me something I will never forget while I was crying over my “finished” career. “Don’t stop fighting when you are tired. Stop fighting when you win”
Brothers even though we are about to hit the end of 2011, remember that finish never is.
God bless and have a beautiful and safe new year.
Strength and Honor
