Barry's MovementWise Journey

I have been treated by Tania since 2004. I was introduced to her whilst I was on holiday in Chamonix. My left knee was deteriorating, fast. In 1992 I had a fall while rock climbing solo which resulted in a fracture/dislocation of my left knee. Added to that was a condition from birth on my left arm – I have only 30% use of it due to birthing complications. In 1992 I had had three operations to repair as best the damage to the knee.

In the intervening years I had been able to climb and mountaineer to a reasonable level but in 2005 it was giving me some concern. The left knee was beginning to just suddenly give way – not a good thing at any time. I had had an arthroscopy – it’s a bit like a clean-up and inspection of the knee joint. I knew that an artificial knee joint beckoned me with increasing certainty. So, I met with Tania. She was introduced to me as a physio – but a physio who had strong views on balance and posture. At the time I thought that posture was all about standing like a soldier on sentry duty. Tania, when I met her, was not like the other physios. Other physios had basically pulled and pushed the joint and given me some exercises.

Tania took a much more mechanical view of what was left of my body. She explained how a particular muscle group governed another part of the body and if you didn’t control it or stand or sit correctly then it would cause problems and pain. At this point I had been very lucky in not having any real pain. I have friends who have had proper pain from joints – the sort of pain that wakes you up during the middle of the night.

At this time as well I was carrying some excess weight, to say the least. The expansion of my corporate career had also expanded my waistline. In a very constructive manner Tania urged me to lose weight – excess weight only adds to the existing problem. But she was savvy enough to realise that modern life has its habits – but savvy enough again to tell me to make the choice for the best of my knee.

Tania showed me the real need to good posture and body carriage at all times. And it worked on me.

In 2006 I registered as a candidate for an International Mountain Leader – in France this is an Accompagnateur de Haute Montaigne. This involves a big logbook of over 40 mountain routes, two formal training programmes and two demanding formal assessments involving speed and navigation tests over high mountain terrain. It is usually a three year term.

Tania was a major reason why I passed both summer and winter IML assessments. I passed in just over 18 months from start to finish. She showed me how to position and carry my body to get the best results from what I had left of it – which was a fair amount in all fairness. After all, I still have four limbs.

It is now 2014 and I am still monitored by Tania, although with a bit less frequency – just to ensure that I am doing what I need to be doing to get the most out of my left leg and arm. Tania is a mixture of having a great knowledge of the subject; great pragmatism & practicality as to how best adapt your body to your sport or everyday life; and all with an engaging coaching style.

The fact that Tania had had a few injuries herself also lends itself to a great amount of sympathy – she knows the pain!!!

I live in London but travel to Tania in France – that is my mark on the excellence of her treatment, advice and coaching.

Tania asks Barrie, what are his three ‘take home messages’

1. What was the biggest difference you made to the quantity and quality of your 1. exercise habits  2. eating habits when you wanted to improve your performance and lose weight.

In terms of exercise I followed a plan with the least possible stress and weight on the left knee –  as proscribed and demonstrated by Tania Cotton. I consciously changed my posture and weight distribution. My own interpretation on quantity and quality of exercise was to ensure that I sweated a lot – that was the measure of the success of the training –  mainly on the bike or cross-trainer. I also placed greater emphasis on strengthening the quads and gluts. Change of eating habits centered on smaller portions and NO processed or manufactured foodstuffs such as hams, bacon etc. and more water. But I ate as many fresh vegetables as I wanted. I neither drink alcohol in any discernible quantity nor smoke tobacco – or indulge in recreational substances.

2. Before we met, what did you think about your ability to run (quality of movement, speed and efficiency).  Did you believe you could pass the timed orienteering part of the IML exam before you learnt to move efficiently? How did you manage to change your limiting beliefs?

My ability to run in any speed or efficiency was hampered by the physiological impact of my injury and but also the psychological one of not wanting to chance anything too much. And I didn’t believe I could pass a timed speed test  – but I did, in one of the fastest times ever recorded for the course, once I had ‘relearned’ how to move with economy and purpose.

3.. Do you remember any ‘light-bulb moments’ (things that made sense, things that you felt differently when doing a movement etc.) during the time we have worked together?

Yes, I do, very clearly. You were trying to show me how to run up and down a slope with economy and efficiency. You showed me several times and I could NOT get it nor emulate your demonstration. I was quite near to telling you that we should give it a rest for the day. It was also at a critical time in my preparation for the whole IML Assessment. I was still 15kgs overweight and not looking as though I was making progress. You told me to watch you closely – you repeated this several times, so I watched you closely –  I watched all of your movements of both upper and lower body. Then I tried it again as closely as I could – and it was the easiest I had run since BEFORE my climbing fall. It gave me great inspiration to believe that I could actually nail this award. It really was a turning point and I am still very grateful for it.