Clint, 43

"Like a lot of people, I did group fitness classes for years through my early twenties. Tabata, HIIT, TRX, RPM, whatever made me sweat. I credit my wife for getting me started there, otherwise I may never have started training."

Calisthenics followed, initially as a solution to lower back pain. When I was 32, I remember not being able to lift my daughter out of the cot because I couldn't bend down without pain.

A friend (@chrisnixon.calicoach) had used calisthenics to rebuild after a similar issue. I found I really enjoyed it, but longevity wasn't really a consideration.

Somewhere along the way I discovered a real love for gymnastics rings but I eventually got stuck and frustrated due to the abrupt gap between beginner skills and what comes next. I didn't even know what was beyond that… too hard, too scary, too risky without guidance! There was no progress beyond a muscle up or forward roll, only a never ending plateau.

I had been training sporadically with Ben Byfield (@meditativemonkey), and just happened to meet Phaon Phipat (@phaonp) while I was at Ben's studio. I guess that was my 'aha' moment, the point when things started to click.

I found the courage to reach out to Harry and Yannick and get involved with the Fellowship of the Rings backward roll program.

Once I started, the constant need to search Instagram for a magic drill or scrolling YouTube for the perfect tutorial seemed to evaporate. The biggest change was specificity. I had a guide, who could explain the why behind the plan. No guesswork, or what the algorithm was pushing on me that week. I like that. Exercises and drills felt worthwhile, part of a building block creating a foundation for something greater.

I simply started to be fit and healthy, keep up with the kids etc. but I've since learnt that the real joy is in the discovery, these little epiphanies when all of a sudden it all makes sense. Figuring things out keeps me coming back to the practice where learning and refinement is ever present, and that provides a sense of longevity. Without that, I don't think I'd have a practice.

The hardest thing for me has been learning to listen to my body. I am capable of more skills, stronger and move better at 43 than I ever have before but things take longer to prepare and to recover.

I don't see myself any differently than before and my life didn't suddenly change because of my new abilities. I see other practitioners differently now though, not better or worse than others but I can appreciate the graft that was required to cultivate their skill, whatever it may be, and feel lucky to have some level of insight into what they are so passionate about.

There is no grand finale, no crowd cheering for or against you. Just constant personal growth fuelled by consistent effort in the face of new challenges where patience and resilience is tested time after time. Your body needs to be honed and developed.

Don't be too proud to ask for help — in my experience, if you're interested enough to ask then people are willing to generously share their knowledge. You only get one body, why not optimise your experience within it by discovering what you're truly capable of."