The 4-Hour Body_ An Uncommon Guide to Ra - Timothy Ferriss [136]
International Medical Travel Journal Medical Tourism Guide
(www.imtjonline.com/resources/patient-guide) The IMTJ’s 10-step guide to medical tourism is a useful starting framework for those considering a fun but productive trip abroad. The plethora of options can be daunting, and this checklist will minimize the paradox of choice.
Bumrungrad Hospital (www.bumrungrad.com) This world-class hospital in Thailand has been featured in the “Top 10 World’s Medical Travel Destinations” (Newsweek) and is one of the “Top 4 Medical Tourism Pioneers” (Wall Street Journal). The pictures on their website will probably make your own US hospital look like a third-world hovel.
Med Retreat (www.medretreat.com) Med Retreat can walk you through the decision-making process and help you find the best international clinic for your needs. Popular destinations include Argentina, Costa Rica, and Turkey.
MedTrava (www.medtrava.com) Similar to Med Retreat and based in Austin, Texas, MedTrava can introduce you to hand-picked facilities around the world and save you up to 70% on common procedures.
PRE-HAB
Injury-Proofing the Body
I never struggled with injury problems, because of my preparation. In particular, my stretching.
—Edwin Moses, two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 400-meter hurdles; winner of 122 consecutive races
Preface: This is the longest and most difficult chapter in the book, and for a high percentage of readers, it will be the most important.
Pursuing rapid increases in performance without doing “pre-hab” for injury prevention is like getting in an F-1 racecar without checking the tires. The small upfront investment of time (even two to four weeks) will allow much faster progress while avoiding serious setbacks.
Skim it now or return to it later, but don’t forget to read this chapter if you’re incorporating strength or speed training.
1:30 P.M., CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
The security guard at Virgin Active Health Club was not impressed. In a country with 25% official unemployment, violence was less common than you’d expect, but it still paid to be vigilant.
I explained my idea again, which involved taking a thick three-foot metal pipe into the gym. The plan was to saw off the base of an umbrella stand and drill a half-inch hole in one end.
“No, really. It’s for my workout. Not for hitting receptionists.”
The last part didn’t seem to help my argument.
“But, but, Gray Cook told me to do it!” I wanted to pout. “Don’t you know Gray Cook?!”
He wouldn’t know him.
The real shame is, most people don’t, even if he could make their bodies indestructible.
Gray’s Anatomy: From the NFL to Special Ops
Michelle Wie was, for several months, arguably the most famous injured athlete on the planet.
During a brief time in 2008, her injuries prevented her from doing a single push-up or holding steady on one foot for 10 seconds. Not exactly what you would expect from the youngest woman ever to qualify for an LPGA golf tour event. Sponsored by Nike and heralded as “one of 100 people who shape our world” by Time magazine, it seemed that she had been forced past her prime. She wasn’t even 20 years old.
“Before [training], Michelle could drive 320 yards with the wind at her back. Now, one year later, she can still drive the same 320 yards. The difference is that she can now do it 300 times a day.”
Gray Cook, the mastermind behind Michelle’s rapid recovery, was schooling me from his quiet base in Danville, Virginia.
He saw what the general public missed. Even injured, Michelle could crush the ball. Most assumed that, if power was there, all was well. But she was inconsistent. Power was just one piece of the puzzle.
Fixing professional athletes in his human durability factory, Gray has become perhaps the world’s most sought-after injury-prevention specialist. In 2007, both the Chicago Bears and the Indiana Colts used him as their secret weapon to keep athletes on the field, and both teams ended up at Super Bowl XLI.
Gray wasn’t limited to the ranks of the NFL, MLB, NHL, or NBA.