🗓 Sunday Recap: July 8–13
Another week in motion, medicine, and meaning. Here’s what we explored, uncovered, and reflected on over the past 7 days:
The Power of Listening, Reassurance, and the Right Conversation
We started the week by highlighting what many clinics overlook: sometimes what patients need isn’t another scan or shot—it’s to be heard. Fear drives so many clinic visits. Miscommunication can derail lives. This post explored how small shifts in conversation can preserve activity, confidence, and health.
💪 Muscle Isn’t Just for Strength — It’s for Survival
One of the most-read posts of the week. We challenged the idea that strength training is just about lifting heavy things. In truth, muscle is a metabolic organ, a reserve against illness, and a predictor of longevity. The post reframed muscle as a necessity, not a luxury, especially with age.
📘 Book Launch: Knee Osteoarthritis: What 30 Years as a Surgeon — and a Patient — Has Taught Me
We officially launched Chapter 1 to paid subscribers. The message was simple: You’re not broken. The book will offer clarity, correct misinformation, and empower readers to move more, not less.
📣 Intro & Book Announcement (Free)
🎥 Surgery Prep: A Personal Message
For those preparing for an upcoming procedure, this short post offered guidance and perspective—what to ask, how to prepare, and what mindset helps most in recovery.
And The Winner Was…
🕒 Fitness in 20 Minutes: Because Something Beats Nothing
Our most popular post of the week. This was a call to action for those who feel like they “don’t have time” to train. You don’t need an hour. You need intention. We broke down what a fast, efficient workout might look like when time is tight—and why consistency always beats perfection.
🧬 Good News in Health: Liver Fat Reversal With Exercise
A new study published in JAMA Network Open showed that even without weight loss, exercise led to a significant reduction in liver fat in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Why it matters: This reinforces that movement heals metabolic disease, even before the scale moves. Just another reason to keep walking, lifting, and moving—even if you’re not “losing weight.”
Source: [JAMA Network Open, July 2025]
🚑 Injury of the Week: Carlos Alcaraz’s Ankle
Wimbledon finalist Carlos Alcaraz rolled his ankle during his semifinal match but fought through it. Reports from his camp confirmed a lateral ligament strain—thankfully mild—but a reminder of the demands tennis places on the foot and ankle.
In high-level sport, even subtle mechanical issues can lead to injury under fatigue. And for the rest of us, it’s a cue: balance, proprioception, and foot strength deserve more attention.
🏋️♂️ Gym Notes
This week in the gym was about rotation and responsiveness—training the small, often-overlooked movements that matter when we trip, pivot, or get caught off balance. Think: landmine presses with a twist, asymmetrical cable work, and quick foot drills.
🎧 OR Soundtrack
Music drifted between old Counting Crows, a few tracks by Spoon, and a guilty return to Radiohead’s In Rainbows.
🧭 Final Thought
This week, the threads came together around a simple but essential message:
People deserve clarity, not confusion
Muscles are medicine
A few minutes of movement beats perfection
And you're never too old—or too busy—to start
Thanks, as always, for being part of this journey.
— Howard