Member of the Month: Damian – From Brain Surgery to Strength
At Hustle One Fitness, we believe that fitness is about more than just lifting weights or hitting personal records—it’s about resilience, progress, and overcoming obstacles.
No one embodies this spirit more than our March Member of the Month, Damian!
A Journey Back to Strength
Damian’s story is one of perseverance and relentless determination. Originally from Charleston, he spent much of his 20s and 30s traveling the world before returning home.
But his fitness journey took a dramatic turn last year when he underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumor. The procedure damaged a balance nerve, leaving him without hearing in one ear and requiring him to relearn how to walk through months of physical therapy.
With the help of Coach Rebecca, he set his sights on rebuilding his strength, balance, and endurance—and the progress he’s made is nothing short of incredible.
Overcoming Challenges, One Step at a Time
For Damian, balance and endurance were the biggest hurdles post-surgery.
Everyday movements that most people take for granted—standing steady, running, jumping—became significant challenges. But through personalized training and consistent effort, he has steadily improved. Today, he is not only running again but also jumping rope and even conquering low box jumps—an achievement that once seemed impossible.
His favorite part of working out? The transformative power of exercise.
“Exercise is the foundation of everything good in life—mood, looks, freedom from pain, great-fitting clothes, positive attitude, a sense of accomplishment, training yourself to overcome obstacles, learning to endure challenges, building discipline, and so much more,” Damian shares.
Finding a Fitness Family
Damian’s introduction to Hustle One Fitness came through a recommendation from his PT at MUSC, who believed that Rebecca’s expertise in physical therapy would be the perfect next step in his recovery.
He quickly realized that Hustle One was the right fit—not only because of the structured programming tailored to his needs but because of the supportive community.
“Even though my workouts have been adapted to help me recover, I still feel like I’m a normal person, going to the gym. I wasn’t treated too gently. We’re all in there digging it out together, and that’s the kind of environment I want to be in.”
Life Beyond the Gym
When he’s not training at Hustle One, Damian can be found indulging in his lifelong passion: playing guitar. Despite losing hearing in one ear, he remains dedicated to his craft and finds joy in music every day. His other love? Running on Folly Beach—something he’s working toward getting back to with every step he takes at the gym.
Words of Wisdom for New Members
For those just starting their fitness journey, Damian offers this advice: “Don’t think about results. Like everything else in life, the journey matters more than the destination. Goals just give us the point to which we align our resources. Focus on being in the moment and have gratitude that you are even capable of existing in it. Don’t try to become a healthy person—live like a healthy person would live.”
Celebrating Damian’s Success
Damian’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, hard work, and a never-give-up attitude. He has turned adversity into motivation, proving that with the right mindset and support, anything is possible. We’re proud to have him as part of the Hustle One family and can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next!
Congratulations, Damian, on being our Member of the Month!
Member of the Month: Damian – From Brain Surgery to Strength
-Coach James
