Recent Posts by MT

Shellie,

If you are serious about promoting I would do everything to help you.  I think they had that show at a college or community center.  I can't remember.  It was a very nice venue.  I think you could get a lot of interest with Pittsburg so close.  You also have Joplin and Springfield.  Contact the INBF and I will help you.  The key is raising the funds and getting a good crew to help.  

 Peace,

MT

Well my goodness...  Just to let every one know.  There is no way I was going to give up my WNBF pro card.  I had been through a grueling rehab and in the back of my mind I thought every day of my return.  I can't imagine making a change now.  I will be promoting my show here in Springfield MO now affiliated with the INBF and I just got word it will be a PRO QUALIFIER for the WNBF.  That is great.  We have an awesome venue here at Missouri State University.  This year we are looking at having the event in late September.  We are a college town and this will draw a ton of students.  This will be a great, great, event.  Sean and I have been talking via email as we will be working together to grow the INBF here in the midwest. 

If you have any questions please email me at michael@michaelthomasonlineblog.com 

 Michael Thomas

Hey whats up Team Kers?  I thought I would blow the dust of this thing and let you guys know whats going on.  Well March 19 th I had the bone and cartilage transplant.  The defect was huge.  The doc sent me some pics from the surgery and from the looks of it I am very happy to have had the surgery.  I have been in a wheel chair for the first 8 weeks.  I could get around on crutches but the knee really swells up if I am upright for very long.  Right now I am 9 weeks out and have started bearing weight.  In 3 more weeks I will start closed chain exercises.  Light leg presses, shallow bodyweight squats, etc.  I have been able to train upperbody and my right leg throughout this time.  My left leg has atrophied but not as bad as I thought.  I have started light biking on an upright bike.  In three more weeks I will be full weight bearing and I am sure that will bring back alot of the tissue.  My weight has stayed pretty stable in the 205-210 range.  I have seen the doc every 3 weeks or so and he says the graft is healing marvelously.  I will have clearance to squat and deadl at 9 months out.  At 12 months out I'll be free to do whatever I want.  Actually, I will be able to train all these exercises sooner just at a very low RM.  I figure I'll do 100 rep squats if I have to to get this muscle back and even better.  In three more weeks I'll also be able to do higher int cardio non impact of course.  My doc has given me strict orders NEVER to perform leg extension again.  Way too much patella femoral contact.  I plan on returning to the pro stage in late 09 or 10.  I will get my bodyweight up to 220 and then slowly come down.  My right knee has a little bit of damage from taking the brunt of all the work from 20 years.  so I will prob have it scoped but that won't be a big deal.  I have quite a hill to climb and I must take things day by day and literally one step at a time.  I'll be back better than ever. 

Our show is coming together nicely.  I wish everyone the best of luck and keep training hard.  MT

Hello Guys.  I have been away for a while.  Have had so much going on I will try to stay more frequent here.  Been working on several business projects along with having a 7 month old now.  As many of you know I have had knee problems and was diagnosed with an articular cartilage defect on my left knee a grade 4 lesion about the size of a quarter.  So this summer I went to a specialist a barnes jewish hospital and he placed me on a transplant list.  Well, I got the call Monday night that they have found a donor and the surgery will take place on Monday Feb 4.  Basically, this surgery will involve opening up the knee and drilling a hole into the defect both cartilage and bone and then plugging that hole with the donors cartilage and bone.  Over a period of 6-9 months after my bone will eventually bond to that donor plug and my cartilage should bond to the donor cartilage basically resurfacing the end of the femur.  Or actually the lateral aspect of the trochlea is where my defect is.  Success rate being around 80-85%.  Apparently the patella femoral joint is a little complex in its biomechanics. 

At this point, I am a little frightened.  I know the rehab is going to be tough but I know I can make it.  I am a little concerned with pain postop.  I certainly look forward to a day in which I can really train my legs with squats again.  Right now, I have every intention of returning to the pro stage.  Up to this point I have had a wonderful career on stage actively competing since 1993.  Probably, my greatest moment was winning my procard and overall at the NANBF USA's. 

So now I must look forward.  Febuary 4 will offer a new beginning and new challenges.  I know I told Sean I would be back by 09 to do the Cayman show but at this point I think I'll probably return in 2010.  Currently my goals will be to keep as much lbm as possible knowing that my left leg will atrophy.  Follow my docs exact orders with my rehab and care. Take things one day at a time. 

Shellie and all others interested my show is on.  We have a great show planned at an awesome facility.  Check out www.naturalspringfieldbodybuilding.com for new info posted very soon.   

Michael

Hey, Cameron.  What a tough game.  As a Colts fan that was a tough one.  Well, anyway round 2 will happen in the playoffs and that will be a different story.  The only thing that sucks is listening to all the media now jump on the undefeated season the Pats could have.  They could run the table at least until the Colts meet them again in the playoffs in New England. 

The Bellecheck thing is what it is.  In my opinion he sure acts like a jerk.  Yes, I saw the handshake thing thats just the way he is.  Jerk or not he wins I gotta hand it to him there.  I really do believe the best team did not win yesterday.  Sometimes that happens.  The defense of the Colts looked incredible they just gave up a couple of big plays.  Makes for an interesting season.  My prediction is the Colts will probably go 14 and 2.  The pats will finish the season possible undefeated or 15 and 1.  I do think the pats are beatable.  The pats defense is suspect.  What makes this so great is the Colts will have a chance for redemption.  The Colts could possibly beat an undefeated team in the AFC championship in New England.  MT

He should probably start game 4.  That game will be in Colorado.  With the cooler weather who knows.  If the girls don't like baseball tell them they can't even chase

Joe I just read that retired stuff.  No way you got more in you.  Lets go 09, 11 13 at that point we'll both be in our mid 40's and were still good.  By that point science will have perfected this joint repair stuff.  Its all good.  Or we could just take up checkers : ) 

Hey, what what what I check in today and Sean is saying what???  YIPPPPEEER, I am in Sean gotta get my new hyaline cartilage first.  We'll see hopefully we get this thing done soon. 

 Can't wait to see your competition next year.  Should be a great experience and just one week before our Natural Springfield Classic August 9th.  The weeks are clicking by.  Like I said earlier we secured a new venue for our show at Missouri State Brand new facility with stadium seating.  Forgive the plug. : )

I guess we are on here at the same time.  I have a hole in my articular cartilage a pretty big lesion.  They are performing a osteochondral allograft.  Basically implanting a plug of arti cartilage and bone into the hole in my knee.  The rehab is very long due to my bone having to bond to the cadeavor bone and the articular cartilage healing to my arti cartilage.  Right now I am waiting for my donor.  Could be up to 6 months theys say it won't be that long though.  I feel for you man.  Bilateral tear thats gotta be brutal.  Like I say so often "This to shall pass" 

Craig, I understand totally.  I am waiting to have my surgery and am looking at a long rehab.  You will be back just give it some time and make absolute certain you are 1000% ready to resume your training.  Give it time.  You are a great pro and will be back on that stage soon. 

Joe, if you are reading this How long will it take to get back our development after being immoblilized for a period of say 8-12 weeks and then really not being able to train progressively for 9 months or so?  Thats what my rehab protocol looks like.

Super Charge is the bomb.  I like No X also but Super Charge is 1better in my book. 

Absolutely, I know everyone is getting things together right now.  Also, our meeting usually is in late Nov.  Sean, when is that US Cup scheduled?  I certainly don't want to be that weekend either.  I wasn't aware they have confirmed the US cup date yet.  Are they going to replace that show? 

Shellie that idea does sound great.  I know alot of the competitors that did my show also went to KC.  Sean and Joe any help you guys need let me know.  MT

Mary great journal.  You are incredible strong.  I look forward to following your journey.  Michael

Craig, you will be back in the weight room in no time doing some great training.  I am glad to hear you started doing some upper body stuff.  Keep us updated.  Michael