Written by
Vincent Broussard
Founder
When you live with Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN), movement isn’t something you take for granted. Every step, every stretch, every rep in the gym becomes an intentional act — a way to fight back against a disease that tries to slow you down.
For me, training isn’t just about looking fit. It’s about staying functional. It’s about maintaining strength, mobility, and balance so I can live life on my own terms. I’ve had to adapt my workouts over time, listening to my body and learning when to push and when to pull back. Some days, my legs feel like lead weights. Other days, I move better than expected. But no matter what, I show up — because consistency is my weapon against AMN.
My philosophy is simple: do something every day.
That doesn’t mean I’m crushing a heavy lift session seven days a week. It means I’m staying active in whatever way my body allows. Some days it’s strength training, some days stretching or mobility work, and sometimes it’s just a long walk to get my blood flowing. The key is to keep moving. Once you stop, AMN wins — and I’m not giving it that satisfaction.
Strength training keeps me grounded.
I focus on compound movements that target large muscle groups — squats, deadlifts, presses — but always with control and form as the priority. I’ve had to let go of ego lifting. It’s not about how much weight I can move; it’s about how efficiently I can move it. On rough days, I might scale back and use bands or bodyweight exercises. The goal is to stay consistent, not perfect.
Mobility and flexibility are just as important as strength.
I spend time every day stretching, foam rolling, and using recovery tools to keep my muscles loose. The stiffness that comes with AMN can sneak up fast, especially in my legs, so I treat mobility like training — it’s a non-negotiable part of my day. I also incorporate balance work and core stability because those are the foundation for everything else.
Recovery isn’t optional — it’s part of the plan.
Living with AMN means fatigue is real, and pushing too hard can set me back. I’ve learned to respect my limits. Recovery days aren’t lazy days; they’re when my body rebuilds. I use sleep, nutrition, hydration, and mindfulness to recover as hard as I train. Listening to my body has been a tough but necessary lesson.
The gym is my therapy.
There are days I walk in with pain, frustration, or self-doubt — but I always leave stronger mentally. Training gives me control in a situation where so much feels out of my hands. It reminds me that I still have power, that I can choose to fight back every single day.
This disease may affect my body, but it hasn’t taken away my drive. The more I move, the more I prove to myself that AMN can’t define my limits.
In the next part of this series, I’ll dive deeper into the mental side — how I stay motivated, how I deal with the dark days, and why mindset is everything when you’re living with a chronic condition.
Because strength isn’t just built in the gym — it’s built in your mind.
