I'm used to pushing my body. As a CrossFit coach, Masters athlete, and nutrition coach, strength has always been a huge part of my life.

But right now? I'm learning a different kind of strength.

On October 26, I had shoulder surgery to repair a partial subscapularis tear, address bone impingement, and deal with an injury involving my biceps tendon. Now I'm in a sling, my training looks completely different, and I'm facing something that makes every athlete a little nervous: losing hard-earned muscle while recovering.

Muscle Doesn't Stop Mattering When Training Stops

One of my biggest priorities during recovery is preserving as much muscle as possible.

That means eating enough, prioritizing protein, staying hydrated, sleeping, and following my rehabilitation plan.

It also means continuing to take YOLKED, a supplement containing Fortetropin®.

What Exactly Is Fortetropin?

In simple terms, Fortetropin is a naturally derived ingredient made from fertilized egg yolks using a specialized processing method that preserves certain bioactive compounds.

It's not a protein powder, creatine, or a steroid.

Instead, Fortetropin has been studied for how it may influence the body's muscle-building processes, including muscle protein synthesis (the process of building and repairing muscle proteins) and myostatin, a protein involved in regulating muscle growth.

Research suggests Fortetropin may help support muscle health, including during periods of inactivity. That's what makes it particularly interesting to me right now.

It's not going to repair my shoulder or biceps tendon. That's what surgery, time, and rehabilitation are for. But supporting muscle health while I recover?

That's a priority.

Why I Recommend YOLKED Beyond the Gym

As a nutrition coach, I encourage clients to think about muscle health long before they notice they're losing strength.

YOLKED is something I regularly recommend clients consider, especially those navigating:

• Sarcopenia and healthy aging: Age-related muscle loss can affect strength, mobility, and independence.
• GLP-1 medications and weight loss: Losing weight can also mean losing lean mass. Preserving muscle deserves attention alongside the number on the scale.
• Masters athletes: Recovery and maintaining muscle become increasingly important as we get older.
• Surgery, injury, or inactivity: When normal training isn't possible, maintaining muscle becomes an important goal.

The research is promising, although evidence for these specific situations is still developing. YOLKED isn't a substitute for adequate protein, resistance training, or medical care.

At 47, I'm Playing the Long Game

My goal isn't just to get back under a barbell. It's to stay strong, capable, and independent for decades.

That means taking muscle health seriously when I'm training hard—and when I'm forced to rest.

Because recovery isn't just about healing an injury. It's about protecting the strength you want to come back to.

Want help building a nutrition strategy that supports your strength, recovery, and long-term health? Schedule a free nutrition consultation at salusnj.com/nutrition.