When facing physical challenges, like recovery from surgery or illness, we often focus on regaining external strength. But true resilience comes from within—building inner strength during times of weakness.
Before my first hip replacement, I met with my friend Troy, the owner of Restore Physical Therapy, to discuss my recovery. While we talked about physical rehab, the real conversation was about mindset. Troy emphasized something I’ve seen as a martial artist and teacher: the people who focus on inner strength—who embrace the mental, emotional, and spiritual side of recovery—are the ones who make the greatest progress.
It’s easy to feel powerless during recovery. When your body is weak, the temptation is to focus only on the physical. But real growth happens when you turn inward and strengthen your resolve. Inner strength is about more than physical stamina—it’s about fortitude, spirit, and mental resilience. It’s about trusting that, even when you feel weak, you can still find the strength to keep going.
Inner strength is something that can be developed and refined over time. Like any skill, it takes practice, patience, and consistency. In my own journey, I’ve found several ways to cultivate this inner resolve:
1. Planning for the future: Create a clear vision of where you want to be. Having a roadmap gives you something to focus on, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. For me, planning my return to martial arts in 2025 has been a powerful motivator.
2. Learning to accept change: Recovery isn’t a straight line. There are setbacks, surprises, and moments of doubt. But learning to accept these changes—without fighting them—allows you to adapt and grow stronger.
3. Practicing mindfulness: Being present in each moment, without rushing ahead or dwelling on the past, is a key part of cultivating inner strength. Mindfulness allows you to focus on what you can control, which is your attitude and mindset.
4. Examining limiting beliefs: Often, the biggest barrier to our growth is the beliefs we hold about ourselves. By challenging those limiting beliefs—“I’m too old,” “I’m not strong enough”—we open ourselves up to new possibilities.
5. Committing to self-care: Inner strength doesn’t come from pushing yourself to the breaking point. It comes from knowing when to rest, recover, and nurture your body, mind, and spirit. For me, that means listening to my body and giving it the care it needs to heal.
6. Following your inner voice: At the end of the day, your inner strength comes from listening to that quiet voice inside you that knows what’s best. Trust yourself to make decisions that align with your values and your long-term goals.
Throughout my recovery, I’ve reminded myself that building inner strength is an ongoing process. It’s about showing up every day, even when it’s hard, and trusting that every small step forward is progress.
Some synonyms for inner strength include resolve, fortitude, spirit, backbone, nerve, grit, tenacity, mettle, and stamina. These words remind us that inner strength is about standing firm, even in the face of adversity. It’s about knowing that no matter what life throws at you, you have the ability to rise above it.
So, as I continue my journey—preparing for my second hip replacement and looking ahead to returning to martial arts training—I’m committed to focusing on my inner strength. It’s this inner resolve that will carry me through the challenges ahead and help me build the life I want, one step at a time.
Let’s all take a moment today to focus on our own inner strength. What can you do to cultivate that resilience within? How can you embrace the power of resolve, grit, and tenacity, even when you feel weak? The answers lie inside you—trust the process, and keep moving forward.
