He spent months doing everything “by the book”—doctor visits, X-rays, pain relievers, a steroid shot, and 3.5 months of traditional physical therapy. Still, he couldn’t do simple daily things without bracing for pain. Putting a dish on a shelf felt risky. Cleaning a mirror or car window with a circular motion wasn’t in the cards. Even vacuuming made him decide which arm hurt less.

This client didn’t want to keep grinding through the same plan with little to show for it. When he found Joey’s program, he was looking for something different.

His Story

Before the program, he tried what most of us would: an ortho appointment, X-rays that showed nothing concerning, a few weeks of pain relievers, then a steroid shot. The shot helped—briefly. Physical therapy followed, but much of it either overlapped with what eventually worked or turned out to be aggravating at that point in his recovery. Machines, pulleys, pressing and pulling with too much load and too little guidance on how to use his shoulder blades well—it just wasn’t the right fit for where he was.

He also had a nagging pain along the collarbone for months. On top of that, the instructions he got in PT were too general: “use your back,” “pull your shoulder blades back,” and “stop if it hurts.” After 3.5 months with limited progress, he decided he wasn’t going to spend another four to six months doing the same thing. He found Joey’s videos, signed up, and things started to change.

What Changed?

The first shift was clarity. Instead of “if it hurts, stop,” he learned the stoplight system. Green (go), yellow (caution, manageable), red (stop). That permitted him to move without flinching while still respecting his limits.

The second shift was communication. He didn’t just say, “I can’t do this.” He described what movement hurt, how it hurt, and when. In return, he got fast, specific modifications: a gentler version when something spiked pain, a medium version when he was ready to push, and an advanced version when he could handle more.

He also worked on targeted nerve exercises that helped resolve the collar bone pain. Visual anatomy tools made it easier to understand what he was feeling and why—so he could do each exercise with better form and more confidence.

Moments That Proved It Was Working

He noticed he wasn’t bracing for pain anymore. He could reach across his body and put dishes on a shelf without worrying about a flare-up. He cleaned mirrors and car windows using those circular motions that used to be off-limits. He even handled the vacuum without negotiating which arm to use.

Outside the house, he used heavy garden shears without a setback—something that would’ve wrecked him before. As spring approached, he started easing back into the yard work he enjoys and felt hopeful about fishing again, a hobby he’d been anxious he might lose for good.

Results & Impact

Quantitative Improvements

• Complete elimination of collar bone pain that had persisted for months.
• Full restoration of overhead reach for shelf placement.
• Pain-free performance of household tasks, including vacuuming.

Qualitative Transformations

• “I’m aware that I’m not flinching and anxious that I’m going to run into pain.”

Functional Victories

• “I can reach across. I can, you know, if I need to put a dish up on a shelf, that’s stuff I can do.”
• “Being able to do some, you know, clean the mirror in the bathroom, do some of the windows on the car that involves a certain amount of circular motion.”
• “Another silly thing is using a normal upright vacuum cleaner… I can do that.”

Return to Meaningful Activities

• He regained confidence that he could get back to fishing and handle yard work and gardening without flare-ups.

What He Wants Others to Know

Be specific about what you can’t do and how it feels. That’s what lets your coach adjust the plan. Don’t fake your way through a session—speak up if something isn’t working. Learn the difference between green, yellow, and red pain. And expect your program to adapt to you, not the other way around.

If You’re in a Similar Spot

If you’ve tried the standard path and you’re still stuck, it may not be you—it may be the plan. Look for a program that listens, gives you clear pain guidelines, and offers real-time adjustments. With the right approach, you can move without fear again and get back to the things you love.