À propos Mensud Muharemovic
I'm 52 yo war veteran with 4 years of combat experience in Balkan wars in 90s... Although I've been honourably discharged from Bosnian Army 29 years ago, despite having a steady job, I still occasionally suffer from PTSD and sometimes, depression. My friends suggested I should see a doctor and take some medication for my condition, but I decided to fight my own way....10 years ago, in November 2014, I entered a gym to lift weights for the first time since I was 27. Back then I tried, but it didn't last long as I was just a bum, an ex-soldier who spent his best years in muddy trenches and all I wanted was booze and parties. No drugs, thanks God, I've never been fond of it. Booze was that I liked...and cigarettes and coffee as I've got a doorman job. After got into a dispute with a boss, a few years of work in bars, clubs and restaurants I decided to try my luck overseas. I moved to Australia but my demons moved with me, too. I couldn’t stop thinking about my friends killed or badly wounded in action, about my close cousin killed on his second assignment, only 19yo at the time. He was Special Forces too. After I got my engineering diploma and got into routine of everyday life ,demons attacked again.. I resisted. I started to attend Taekwondo classes with my daughter and I found martial arts the best way to channel my depression, anxiety and sometimes aggression to something useful.
After I've got my black belt in Taekwondo (my daughter's got it too), instead of continuing my journey, I quit. Again, inner demons took over, and I started smoking, drinking, and looking for every opportunity to go back to Europe to catch up with old friends... Not a good path...In November 2014, I realised my overall health and well-being was deteriorated. I had to change something. And... I changed everything.
I quit smoking. Cold tyrkey. I severely cut on my drinking. Socialising drinks and a few over a weekend was my new limit. I started to get up early, first walking around a block, then a lap around a lake, 5km walk... Then I started to jog, than run - brisk walk - run routine. Military conditioning exercises, set of 8 or 10 at the end of my cardio walk or jog. Sometimes before just to surprise the body. I lost weight. I toned my muscles. I started to feel better, mentally and physically. My life changed.
Simultaneously with my morning walking routine, I started my lunchtime routine of skipping a big meal and going to the small gym in the ground floor of my company building. There is a few cable machines, a multi-machine, Smith machine a few benches, cardio bike, rowing machine, Elliptical crosstrainer, treadmill...and weights. I started with the Elliptical. I used to ride on it for 30 to 45 minutes, take a shower and fresh and energised I was going back to work. I loved the results..My whole body response was great. I lost weight. I toned my muscles and started to build some more of them. I started to feel better, mentally and physically.
My biggest reward besides my overall well-being and health improvement were some young men and women who occasionally approached in a public gym and asked for advise whether about exercises or nutrition and supplements. And they told me they liked that I always answered their questions with smile and positive attitude. That's great feeling. To be alive and useful to someone again. Also a few work mates told me that they started their own morning walking and jogging routines after a chat with me. I was feeling blessed. I did it and I helped others to do the same.
And the biggest reward of all of them...my daughter became a physical education teacher and my son has got his black belt in karate and now, he teaches little kids and teenagers, sometimes even adults, goju ryu style karate.
I consider my mission on this planet accomplished.
If this story made any impression on you, or if it inspired you to start your own fitness or wellness journey, buy me coffee. I'll buy one to you in return, if we ever meet in this life. Or just leave a comment, positive or negative, I'll appreciate it very much. Thank you for your time you spent reading my story ❤
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