From Threat of Paralysis to Park Runs and PBs - Read Sarah’s Incredible Story
How Strength Training and Community Support Helped Sarah Avoid Spinal Surgery and Reclaim Her Life
Sarah Darbyshire, 48, from St Anne’s, was facing a life-changing spinal surgery before joining Transform Hub Fylde.
‘I have arthritis which is quite bad. It had caused me to need a hip replacement which I went through in late 2020. After moving house in February 2023, I started to get bad back pain. I thought I’d done too much in the move or it might be sciatica. I went for physio, acupuncture and ended up getting prescribed really high-dose painkillers and anti-inflammatories. Even the controlled drugs were not touching the sides. I couldn’t walk down the stairs without being in extreme pain. It took me hours to get up. It was horrific.’
‘I was told that I’d not injured myself moving house, I actually had a condition called spondylolisthesis. Now, I know that sounds like ‘supacalifragilistic’ that Mary Poppins might say, but sadly a ‘spoonful of sugar’ wasn’t going to help the medicine go down, I was told I’d need surgery to correct the base of my spine that had completely slipped, causing the extreme pain. With surgery came the potential complications of leg paralysis and foot drop. I was so worried.’
Sarah’s hip replacement in October 2020 had been a difficult recovery and the spinal surgery brought extra anxiety.
Sarah in September 2023 vs Sarah June 2024 after doing Total Warrior
‘The prospect of spinal surgery was terrifying’
‘When I had my hip replacement in October 2020 I was still with my ex-partner and even having help with the simplest of tasks had been hard. The prospect of facing the spinal surgery with only my teenage son to care for me was terrifying. The surgery would be full spinal fusion where they basically hack your spine away, pin it back together and hope they don’t cause any nerve damage in the process. I knew the recovery would be harder than my hip replacement but the surgery was serious and a massive risk. I couldn’t stop worrying. How would we cope? What effect would it have on my son?’
Understanding Sarah’s worries, she was offered epidural injections before surgery to see if it would help.
‘That played on my mind too. When I was pregnant with my son, the midwife stressed how risky epidurals could be. I felt like I had to give it a go and hoped it would work, as I signed the disclaimer to say I understood the risks of paralysis with epidural procedures.’
While the epidurals had worked for a while, Sarah found herself still having to rely on painkillers.
Sarah’s got involved in Hub community events like the mass breath work and ice bath challenge
‘I’m in my 40s, I don’t want this to be my life. It is only going to get worse.’
‘I was on so many tablets a day and I just thought “I’m in my 40s, I don’t want this to be my life. It is only going to get worse”, and I knew I had to do something different.’
‘My hairdresser Katie had started to shrink before my eyes at every appointment and she was raving about a new gym she’d joined - Transform Hub Fylde. I’d always thought that strength training and HIIT-based training would not be an option for me. I’d had gym memberships before but never used them. I’d never lifted weights properly. But something about the way she spoke of the Hub got me interested. I decided that I had nothing to lose. Strengthening the muscles around my spine could really help put me in the best health and position for my surgery.’
Sarah’s first go on the Ski-Erg had her wondering “How am I going to get through this?!”
‘That first session was so hard. I remember being on the Ski-Erg in the warm-up and thinking “How am I going to get through this?!” then I heard the encouragement from the coaches and it spurred me on. By the end of the session, I was in awe of what I’d achieved. I never in a million years thought I’d be able to exercise like that, but here I was, proving I could.’
Within a month of joining Transform Hub, now feeling so good in herself and seeing progress and results each day, Sarah decided not to renew her prescription for her painkillers. By the time she came to see her spinal consultant, he was astounded at the progress she had made and how life had completely changed.
‘I was off my painkillers and no longer in chronic extreme pain.’
‘As I was off my painkillers and no longer in chronic extreme pain, my consultant decided that we would manage my spondylolisthesis with my healthy lifestyle. I was encouraged to keep doing what I’m doing as it was obviously working.’
Sarah decided to continue her journey with Transform Hub after the six-week challenge, understanding that consistency with her fitness and nutrition will be a vital part of her ongoing journey. With the encouragement and support of her coaches, she has worked on her strength, stamina and nutrition.
‘I also have thyroid issues but coach Ellie has spent hours with me, researching for me and helping me tweak my diet to help my condition. She always keeps me accountable via the Transform Hub app and calls me out on my food choices at times. As a result of the nutrition side of things, my son and I eat better and it has a positive impact.’
Sarah’s 15-year-old son, Alistair, has been her greatest motivator in turning her life around and he is amazed at his mum’s progress.
‘We had such a lovely moment the other night. It was bedtime and he popped his head in and said “It’s so nice not having to put you to bed anymore Mum and I’m so happy you’re not in pain anymore. You’re nailing it.” He spent so much time last year having to help put me to bed, draw the curtains, get my water and tablets, put the dog out and all the things a son shouldn’t need to do for his mum. I’m just so happy that I’ve avoided surgery and therefore the burden of more care on him. It makes me quite emotional to think about how life is so different now.’
Sarah was captured in the middle of her Park Run looking ecstatic!
Sarah got involved with Transform Hub’s team at Total Warrior 2024
‘She inspires us all’ - coach ellie
Coach Ellie Clarke at Transform Hub Fylde said, ‘When Sarah walked through the doors back in December 2023, she was a very frightened person. Being lined up for major spinal surgery meant she was very serious and determined in her actions. She’s done everything we’ve asked of her, her habits have been ticked off on the Transform Hub Coach app and she’s been ‘on it’ from day one.’
‘Sarah is such a popular character and well-liked. She inspires everyone, including me. When I’m having days where I’m struggling I think of Sarah and everything she’s been through. She motivates me in to action. She constantly pushes herself to do things that with her issues, she shouldn’t be able to do. We support her and look after her and it’s a joy to coach Sarah. She is the most likeable, inspirational person who is a delight.’
From the threat of surgery to now doing Park Run and Total Warrior!
Sarah’s life is so different and she is doing so well that she has even started to do the Park Run.
‘Fellow Hub member Michelle O’Kelly encouraged me to do it. There’s always something going on at the Hub and side events and challenges. You’re always invited and everyone is welcome. When Michelle mentioned the Park Run she said “You don’t have to run the whole way. Just see how you do.” and I’m pleased to say that I did great. Strava says I did it in 37 minutes. Strava! Yes, I’ve even got a Strava app subscription and I actually use it! I don’t even know who I am anymore.’ Sarah laughed.
‘I can deadlift more than my body weight, I can bunny hop over benches. I still can’t believe it. I go to the Hub 3 times a week, I do yoga and other exercise around Hub sessions too, including Park Run. I even did Total Warrior at the weekend!’
Sarah’s positivity, laughter and joy radiate from the image taken at her first Park Run and is a testament to transformation not always being a weight loss story. She has lost 17kg (34lbs/2.5 stone) but says that was “just a bonus”. She’s also lost 13% body fat and gained 2% muscle.
‘The Hub is not like a gym. The coaches show you what to do and how to do it. They keep you accountable, personalise things to you and then encourage you so much in and out of sessions. It’s just such a good place to be. I have never been anywhere like it with so many like-minded and amazing people. I now know what I’m capable of and it has changed my attitude to exercise. In fact, Transform Hub has genuinely transformed my life.’
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