Calum von Moger has been on the sidelines, but that doesn’t mean he’s counting himself out just yet.
We all stumble sometimes on the way to our ultimate goal. Whether you’re an artist, an athlete, a business owner or any other profession under the sun, there are going to be times when you face adversity. To resist against it is like resisting against the tide, a futile action that will only help to thwart your plans of ultimate greatness. Sometimes we have no other choice but to accept the fall, to embrace the hardship and find a way to climb back out again.
For bodybuilding standout and rising star Calum von Moger, accepting that fall is his current reality.
With his recent successes on and off the stage, it seemed that Calum von Moger’s star was steadily on the rise. Qualifying for an IFBB Pro card as well as making a turn as Arnold Schwarzenegger in his first acting role in the film Bigger has seen Calum grow as both a bodybuilder and entrepreneur.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OZMgUc_RqI
But the rise would soon be thrown into jeopardy.
After a mishap during a cliff repelling accident, Calum suffered a torn quadriceps tendon as well as once again tearing his bicep. For a bodybuilder there’s nothing worse than receiving such devastatingly bleak news. The industry is based on an athlete looking their best in order to make a living. A series of injuries like these could potentially derail an athlete’s career.
But Calum von Moger isn’t content to simply lay down and accept defeat. Instead battling back to the heights of his powers is his top priority. Calum sat down with Generation Iron to discuss the trials and tribulations he had to endure after suffering such crushing injuries.
When asked if he ever thought about quitting after his injuries his response was simple and concise.
“Not once.
“At first it was very hard to accept my circumstances and I spent a lot of time thinking about it over and over again. When will I be able to train again, will it be the same etc. but I have since then accepted my injuries and am thankful to be able to have great support and physical therapy to get me back on my feet.”
It’s the sign of an indomitable will, a surging passion to rise again from the ashes. While accepting his injury was half the battle, there are simply some devastating realities that feel like a crushing punch to the guts. The muscle atrophy Calum has suffered is both alarming and concerning. Building back all that lost muscle is far from a simple task and could prove to be the potential death knell on an athlete’s career. Despite that, Calum is taking everything in stride and seems to have found a silver lining.
“This is a bodybuilding nightmare, a hard one to cope with. But I’m not afraid of losing some muscle because I know when the time comes I can get it all back. I’m also very lucky because even tho I downsized I was able to keep in really good shape. A lot of people even said I look better this way (smaller).”
Calum von Moger isn’t content to simply sit and wait for things to work themselves out. Instead, the Australian bodybuilder is choosing to do what he can with the tools that he has available.
“I took about 7 weeks off the gym. Then I started doing push-ups and sit-ups at home. Now I’m doing light upper body workouts (still have a torn bicep) and left leg workout.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOdFMlNFCJs
While he may be steadily getting back into the groove of training, that doesn’t mean he’ll be able to return to normal straight away. The Aussie bodybuilder recalls the difficulties he endured with the most mundane tasks, delving into some of the hardest parts of being injured outside the lack of ability to train.
“Daily activities we take for granted. Walking upstairs, going to get food, trying to shower etc. all have been very hard.”
Nursing two major injuries at once is a daunting task, one that will require the bodybuilder to have a tremendous amount of patience. The key to recovery is being honest enough with yourself to accept that at least for the time being you’re not going to operating at one hundred percent. From the sounds of things, Calum understands that fact well and has given a realistic timeline in regards to training at full capacity.
“I believe in myself that I will recover enough to get back to training by 2019.”
That’s still a large amount of time to wait for someone who was steadily rising up the ranks and surging towards pro status in the IFBB. But just as an athlete must be stubborn to achieve great gains so too must they be stubborn in recovering when they’re on the sidelines.
As such, Calum has kept himself busy, structuring a new online fitness program, the “6 Week Shred”, in hopes of changing the lives of those who wish to get into tremendous shape, one of many training programs that featured on his official website. Now able to able to walk without assistance, Calum continues to make big moves both in and outside of the fitness industry.
“I couldn’t walk for the first few weeks. But now that I can walk and drive again I’ll be pursuing other things such as acting classes, working on my business, and planning on travel for fitness expos in the upcoming months.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ljDdPtey7k
So what was the secret to Calum von Moger’s patience and acceptance of this harrowing situation?
Simply put, it’s the fans.
Calum understands just how important his fans and admirers are and that their constant support is a source of positive energy during his current down time.
“[Fan] support has been amazing. I really don’t think I would’ve coped as well as I did without daily emails and messages from them. If I could send out one message it would be thank you so much for the love and support, it’s very encouraging for me and I’m happy to admit that this time you motivate me to get back and become stronger.”
And so the circle of influence and inspiration has led Calum von Moger to a new reality. Now as he continues to recover, his fans give him the drive and motivation to keep his spirits up much in the same way as his inspirational posts on social media.
With plenty of time ahead of him and a clear will to continue to strive for greatness, Calum von Moger is waiting patiently for his chance to soar towards his dreams once again.
Calum Von Moger also attributes his recovery and return to strength to his very own supplement line – STAUNCH. Maticulously made to be the premiere supplement company in bodybuilding, you can check out their Whey Protein Isolate right here. It made our top 10 protein powders of 2020.
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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
