As a seasoned athlete, Jad has always strived to perform at an exceedingly high level. After a meniscus tear injury stalled his progress and impaired his motivation, he knew he needed help from an expert in the field. What started as rehab quickly evolved into a journey of rediscovery, new passions and personal growth.
About Jad
Jad has lived and breathed athletics for as long as he can remember. Racket sports growing up, basketball as an adult, and even a career in sports media. Jad’s motivation to work out, and inevitably train with Body + Soul Fitness, comes from a desire to elevate his athletic performance. He was looking for a personal training experience that truly understood the demands of high-level sport – especially with a meniscus tear injury in play – so he could keep pushing his limits safely and effectively.
The Challenge
Based on Jad’s goals, health, and athletic history, he was matched with Paul Hudson, Senior Personal Trainer at our Front + Berkeley location, who specializes in athletic development, pain management and strength training and conditioning.
Paul’s initial key focus was helping Jad work through a demotivating meniscus tear that impacted both his physical ability and mindset – both in sport and daily activities. Paul needed to help Jad rebuild confidence in his ability to move and help him find joy in training again. It became quickly evident to Paul that Jad was missing that sense of sport and fun in training and needed something more engaging.
The Program
Based on Jad’s health and fitness assessment, goals and recovery needs, Paul created a custom program with a focus on returning to sport. To rebuild confidence, Paul focused on trust and connection, turning workouts into something Jad genuinely looked forward to and was energized by. Boxing played a major role in his training plan, bringing back the joy and sense of purpose that Jad had lost in his workouts.
To keep Jad focused, Paul broke his journey down into stages and habits – one at a time, ensuring each change felt sustainable and purposeful. Based on his meniscus tear, they first focused on injury recovery and general strength training. Before moving forward, Paul always checked in with Jad to check-in with how he’s feeling physically and mentally. From there, his program evolved into plyometrics, lifts and circuits to support athleticism, and lastly, they progressed with more boxing and athletic performance training.
Jad mentions that he feels incredibly aligned with Paul—both share an extroverted energy, and Paul’s positivity, support, and motivation have helped Jad stay engaged and excited.
“The positive effects of training have cascaded throughout my life,” mentions Jad. “I feel like a better person overall. I have a purpose, I’m happy, I have less brain fog, I’m able to be more present in my relationships and at work, and I have a higher willingness to be consistent in all areas of my life.”
The Results
In just 4.5 months, Jad has seen remarkable transformation, both physically and mentally, thanks to a dedicated program combining rehab work and personal training with Paul. Initially seeking relief from an injury, Jad experienced a significant reduction in pain, which gave him increased freedom of movement and comfort in daily life. But that was only the beginning of his journey.
Physically, the results speak for themselves. Jad lost 15 pounds of body fat, gained strength and dramatically improved his performance in his chosen sports. He’s faster, fitter and thriving not only in his original athletic pursuits but also in new ones. His energy levels are higher, and he approaches everyday life with a healthier, happier perspective.
Jad has picked up a newfound passion for boxing. With Paul’s expert coaching, and the integration of boxing into his overall strength program, Jad has found a deep love for the sport and is already competing in matches.
The impact has not just been physical. Jad’s mental wellbeing has seen a profound shift. He feels happier, and more focused.
“The positive effects of training have cascaded throughout my life,” mentions Jad. “I feel like a better person overall. I have a purpose, I’m happy, I have less brain fog, I’m able to be more present in my relationships and at work, and I have a higher willingness to be consistent in all areas of my life.”
Training with Paul has become more than just a fitness routine, but a source of inspiration and resilience.
“It’s hard work. If I can push myself in the gym like this, I know I can do more. I have the confidence to go for that new job or take on bigger challenges in other areas of life.”
Jad approaches challenges with a can-do mindset, one where “if I can do this, I can do that.”