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Real MMA Training, Injury Management, and the Grind

byPushkaraj ShirkeOnline mentorship and travels to athlete's gyms across IndiaStarts from3,000 per sessionView full gallery

I don't just coach; I live the combat sports grind. Dealing with osteoporosis, multiple fractures, and the reality of training at 40, my approach prioritizes science and longevity over ego.

Dealing with a shoulder impingement from a Judo accident. I'm using this time to work on strength and cardio with controlled movements on machines, focusing on what I can do rather than what I cannot.

Training with osteoporosis is a bitch. At 40, with the bone density of a 64-year-old, I have to be smart. I avoid hard sparring and play a controlled game that works on my strengths. It's about being realistic, not letting ego take over.

A post-training shot. The grind is real, but this is my therapy. It keeps my ADHD in check and my mind focused.

In Delhi, getting some last-minute strategy and technical work with Coach Mohit Chawla at The Combat Laboratory before a competition.

Back at the mothership, Warriors Cove MMA. It's more than a gym, it's a powerhouse of knowledge and a tribe of good people.

Back on the mats after a two-month injury layoff. It feels good to be back in the flow.

A PSA for the new year. If you want to make a real change, get a professional consultation. Stop the "new year, new me" circus and make a plan that lasts.

Broken knee? Keep moving forward. An injury is an opportunity to work on other attributes. Here I'm working on the rings while my lower body heals.

The reality of fitness goals. People look for free tips from influencers instead of getting a professional consultation, then wonder why they don't get results.

There's a difference between being capable of violence and choosing peace, versus being incapable of violence. The first is strength, the second is weakness.

About My Own Grind: Training, Injuries & Competition

People often think the goal is just to sweat until you drop. Real training is about understanding bio-mechanics and knowing when to push versus when to preserve. I train with 26 fractures and osteoporosis, so my programming isn't about arbitrary 'gainz' or social media aesthetics. It is about building a system that keeps you fighting long after others have burned out. If you are willing to drop the ego and look at the actual science, we can build a plan.

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