Restarting dedicated flexibility work

[Kit_L]

If this is any kind of encouragement, I did not have any idea what I was put on earth here to do until I was about 43 – in between I've been a truck driver, plant operator, stage hand, standby propsman on location and in the studio, television director, commercial photographer, film producer and director, trained in oriental medicine in Japan over a four year apprenticeship, and about 10,000 other things. Only then did I go to university.

You are uniquely qualified, I would say, to practice in a niche area in law. Go out there and find it – it's waiting there for you.

[Matt Chung]

> If this is any kind of encouragement, I did not have any idea what I was put on earth here to do until I was about 43 – in between I've been a truck driver, plant operator, stage hand, standby propsman on location and in the studio, television director, commercial photographer, film producer and director, trained in oriental medicine in Japan over a four year apprenticeship, and about 10,000 other things. Only then did I go to university.

@Kit_Lthank you for sharing this part of your journey: I had no idea about your various pursuits apart from your PhD and ST. I just turned 37 this year and despite a long 18 year career in tech, I'm only now starting to feel like I have more purpose (i.e. my daughter, movement) in my life.

[Gareth O Connor]

You're only hitting your prime Matt

[AlexanderEgebak]

Continueing "the grind" here, the work I put into hip mobility has paid off as my right pelvis has slightly more cold posterior kipping ROM and feels less tense. This highlighted more pieces of the puzzle, specifically the quadratus lumborum and the oblique abdominal muscle groups.

I have started a mobility exercise where I lie sideways on a 45 degrees back extension machine. I anchor myself to laterally flex my spine into a deep stretch for like 10-15s and then repping my way up. Rinse and repeat for 10 reps and 3 sets. First time I even managed manipulate the SI joint. As Im training 4x weekly Im doing all this quite often and I have been having DOMS in said muscles since starting the exercise.

Now Im going for a vacation, treating it as a deload week with minimal effort outside of gentle mobility. In my experience this is where the gains show - as systemic inflammation subsides!

Im planning, with low frequency, to start lying relaxation practice with a minimum of 1-2 times weekly right before my singing warmup. I am confident in sticking to that plan for now at least. So theres that!

On the more existential front I am more energetic, happier, less anxious/depressed and starting to let my energy just flow to activities because they feel right, not just because they are sound logically right.

[Gareth O Connor]

Well done on the thesis Alexander the hard work payed off

[AlexanderEgebak]

12 hours ago, Gareth O Connor said:

Well done on the thesis Alexander the hard work payed off

Thank you Gareth! Its been quite the journey on multiple fronts!

[Gareth O Connor]

Diamonds are forged during pressure

[AlexanderEgebak]

On 6/26/2025 at 5:46 AM, Kit_L said:

If this is any kind of encouragement, I did not have any idea what I was put on earth here to do until I was about 43 – in between I've been a truck driver, plant operator, stage hand, standby propsman on location and in the studio, television director, commercial photographer, film producer and director, trained in oriental medicine in Japan over a four year apprenticeship, and about 10,000 other things. Only then did I go to university.

You are uniquely qualified, I would say, to practice in a niche area in law. Go out there and find it – it's waiting there for you.

I somehow missed reading this comment, Kit! Thank you for sharing, and in a way it is an encouragement to let myself be reminded I am not isolated in the turbulence of a self-discovery journey. "Surviving" for a long time had its benefits; I did manage to attain qualifications, built strength for relentless pursuit and acquired unique insight I just need mobilize towards goals or directions that are in alignment with myself.

I agree I can fit into a niche or create my own (risk aversion is a nemesis of mine). Im discussing starting a consulting firm with a friend from law studies who has similar diversified background. And Im in talks with another friend who is doctor of psychiatry about creating a product in the private healthcare system. We would cover aspects of mental and physical health through diagnosis, medication, cognitive therapy, physical therapy, nutrition, and addressing social challenges like career, education, economy, social media and AI. In short: An attempt to cover most bases.

Just giving myself time and grace is my working strategy now. The rest appear to come flowing intuitively to me.

[AlexanderEgebak]

On 7/14/2025 at 5:06 PM, Matt Chung said:

> If this is any kind of encouragement, I did not have any idea what I was put on earth here to do until I was about 43 – in between I've been a truck driver, plant operator, stage hand, standby propsman on location and in the studio, television director, commercial photographer, film producer and director, trained in oriental medicine in Japan over a four year apprenticeship, and about 10,000 other things. Only then did I go to university.

@Kit_Lthank you for sharing this part of your journey: I had no idea about your various pursuits apart from your PhD and ST. I just turned 37 this year and despite a long 18 year career in tech, I'm only now starting to feel like I have more purpose (i.e. my daughter, movement) in my life.

How are you doing now Matt? Would love to hear your considerations if you dont mind sharing?

[AlexanderEgebak]

I have taken a more relaxed standpoint to exercising and have been focusing less on planned pursuits and more on where the river flows. Tomorrow, I have an interview in the Danish Psychologist Association - an exciting opportunity!

Im bothered less by my hips and also noticed more relaxation in the area. Im now realizing that the obliques and quadratus lumborum are the main sticking points! Sitting a lot (likely with unilateral side bending and anterior tilting of the pelvis), poor lifting posture (overhead press and bent over front rows mainly) and general stress-induced inflammatory processes (poor sleep, life situation etc...) are the main drivers.

Doing side bends and raises on the back extension machine really helps a lot. Im very conscious about avoiding hip/spine rotation during this movement while actively pressing my feet strongly against the support to maintain an anchor point, avoid knee bending and recruit tensor fasciae latae as it seems to connect to the issue.

I have practiced guided meditations once per week for a month now. Even though my body isnt felt as if its "relaxing" more, my mind is. I will continue with this.