“Start where you are.
Use what you have.
Do what you can.”
Arthur Ashe

Six weeks ago today, on the morning of June 5th, Brendan was completing the first of his three workouts per day at 24 Hour Fitness in San José. Just a few months earlier, he had launched his new business — True Form Basketball. He had already started working with a number of clients for whom he provided individual basketball training, and was looking forward to slowly growing his business.

That morning, as Brendan drove to the hoop and elevated for a slam dunk, the patellar tendon in his right knee ruptured. The next day, he underwent surgery to repair the damaged tendon. The six weeks since that surgery have been spent patiently waiting for the tendon to grow together again. Brendan’s leg has been immobilized, yet it is weight-bearing. His physical therapy appointment last week went well. The therapist told him that she was impressed with his overall physical condition and pleased with the progress he’s made with the knee so far. She encouraged him, “Keep doing what you’re doing.”

This past Saturday, Brendan and I went for a walk. With his leg still in a brace to immobilize the knee, we walked from our home in West San José to Santana Row, then across the street to the Valley Fair Westfield Mall where we did even more walking. On a number of occasions, I asked Brendan how he was feeling. Each time he indicated that the knee felt good.

Before heading back home, we stopped for a break at Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta to enjoy a cold beer. I don’t know that a beer has ever tasted better than it did that day. We then headed back home. In all, we walked just over six miles (15,000+ steps). Along the way, we enjoyed non-stop conversation on a variety of topics. It was a delightful day.

Brendan’s attitude throughout this ordeal has been impressive. At no point did he get discouraged. At no point did he point a finger of blame at anyone else. At no point did he take his eyes off his ultimate goal, which is to get healthy and back to work providing personal training for basketball players of all levels. 

The doctor informed Brendan from the outset that recovery would be a 6-12-month process. Brendan has not forgotten this, but with his positive attitude, his courage to challenge himself a bit, and his willingness to do the recommended exercises, I get a sense that, perhaps, he will be back to 100% sooner than predicted.