In this episode, I break down the first stage of my spinal surgery at L5-S1.

This wasn’t just “back pain” anymore — this was nerve compression, structural damage, and a decision that led to major surgery.

I go deep into:

* Why the anterior approach was chosen

* What an interbody fusion actually is

* How the damaged disc is removed

* What happens when surgeons access the spine from the front

* The mental battle between procedures

* Waiting to see whether the leg pain improves

No hype. No scare tactics. Just the real process of what happens during stage one of spinal fusion surgery.

If you’re dealing with chronic back issues, nerve pain, or facing surgery yourself, this episode gives you a clear understanding of what this procedure really involves.

In this episode of The ZacBow Insight: Beyond the Rep, the focus shifts from just my story… to yours.

Injuries aren’t just something that happen to “other people”—they’re something most of us deal with at some point. Whether it’s a small niggle you’ve ignored, or something more serious that’s affected your training, this episode is about recognising those patterns and learning from them.

I talk about the common mistakes people make when dealing with injuries—pushing through pain, masking the problem, or stopping completely—and what I’ve learned from going through it myself.

This episode is also about starting a conversation.

I want to hear from you—what injuries you’ve dealt with, how you handled them, and what you’d do differently now. Because the more we share real experiences, the more we can help each other train smarter and avoid long-term setbacks.

Plus, I introduce a new Myth Busting segment—starting with one of the biggest beliefs out there:

Is your metabolism really the reason you can’t lose weight after 40?

In this episode of The ZacBow Insight: Beyond the Rep, I take you through the moment everything changed.

What started as a small issue during half marathon training quickly turned into something much more serious. From pushing through pain… to experiencing nerve symptoms, numbness, and loss of control—I break down exactly what it felt like, when I knew something wasn’t right, and the journey through physio, scans, and diagnosis.

I open up about running the Half Marathon in pain, why I kept going, and how mindset can sometimes push us too far. And having to pull out of the Manchester Marathon 2025.

This episode isn’t just about my condition—L5-S1 spondylolisthesis with nerve compression—it’s about understanding the warning signs your body gives you, and what happens when you ignore them.

If you’re training in your 30s, 40s, or beyond… this is something you need to hear.

This isn’t textbook knowledge.

This is lived experience.

This is where it starts.

In this first episode of The ZacBow Insight: Beyond the Rep, I share my story—training over 40, dealing with injuries, and what happens when your body doesn’t cooperate the way it used to.

From Army life to personal training, and now facing spinal surgery, this isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about training smarter.

If you’re dealing with injuries, setbacks, or just trying to stay consistent as you get older, this is for you.

This is about longevity. Not ego.