Frequently Asked Questions - MYOTONIA & Athletics

When people saw me on the football field, they saw a Division I athlete—a guy who trained hard, earned his spot, and competes at a high level. What they didn't see is what happens behind the scenes: the stiffness, the slow muscle response, the frustration of willing your body to move and having it hesitate. That’s Myotonia Congenita.

I was diagnosed young, and for a while, it felt like a shadow that followed me everywhere. Every sprint, every rep, every kick—it all took more effort, more patience, and more mental toughness than most people will ever realize. But here’s the thing: I never saw it as something that would stop me. I saw it as something that would shape me.

This condition taught me discipline, humility, and grit. It forced me to study my body, to train smarter, and to find strength in places I didn’t know existed. It reminded me that sometimes your biggest challenge becomes your greatest teacher.

My hope in sharing this isn’t just to talk about football or training. It’s to reach anyone out there living with Myotonia Congenita—or any challenge that makes life feel heavier—and show them that it’s still possible to chase your dreams with everything you’ve got. You just have to keep moving forward, one rep at a time.

Myotonia Congenita can impact athletic performance by causing muscle stiffness, delayed relaxation after contraction, and fatigue, making some movements more challenging, especially during sudden activity.

Logan's Perspective: Honestly, it changes the game completely. My muscles don’t always respond the way I want them to. Sometimes they tighten up or delay, and that can throw off timing, coordination, or even basic movements. But I’ve learned to adapt. Over time, you figure out how to work with your body instead of against it—and that’s where real growth happens.

Yes, with proper management and training, athletes with Myotonia Congenita can compete at high levels. Understanding and adapting to their condition is key.

LOGAN: Without a doubt. I’m living proof. I made it to a Division I Power Five football program right out of high school, even while managing Myotonia Congenita. It wasn’t easy—but I refused to let this condition define what I was capable of. It became my fuel. Every time someone doubted me, it added another log to the fire.

Low-impact, consistent exercises like swimming, cycling, and moderate strength training can help maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness. Gradual warm-ups are crucial.

LOGAN: For me, it’s all about movement and control. Stretching, mobility work, and low-impact exercises helped me stay flexible and in rhythm with my body. The goal isn’t to go harder—it’s to go smarter. When you train with purpose and consistency, you can build incredible strength even with limitations.

Athletes should avoid activities that involve sudden, intense bursts of movement without a warm-up, as these can trigger stiffness and muscle locking.

LOGAN: Yes—but not out of fear, out of wisdom. Activities that demand sudden bursts of power—like sprints or heavy Olympic lifts—can trigger muscle locking if you’re not warmed up. The key is to prepare your body properly and respect its boundaries. Once you learn that balance, you can still do almost anything.

Warm-ups are essential. Gradually increasing intensity prepares muscles for activity, reducing the likelihood of stiffness and improving performance.

LOGAN: It’s everything. For me, a proper warm-up isn’t just part of the routine—it’s my lifeline. When I warm up correctly, I move better, I feel stronger, and I can actually perform at my best. Skipping it isn’t an option—it’s like asking my body to sprint before it’s awake.

Regular stretching improves flexibility, reduces stiffness, and helps maintain a full range of motion. Dynamic stretching before exercise and static stretching afterward are beneficial.

LOGAN: Stretching keeps me in tune with my body. As a kicker and punter, flexibility was already a big deal, but it also helped me fight off stiffness and muscle tension. When I stretch regularly, I feel loose, fluid, and ready—both on the field and off.

Yes, strength training can enhance muscle function and overall fitness, but it should be done at a controlled pace with attention to proper form and recovery.

LOGAN: Absolutely. Strength training changed everything for me. It not only built physical power but gave me confidence and control. You learn to move more efficiently and build muscle memory that helps you push through the tough moments.

Athletes can manage fatigue by pacing their training, incorporating rest days, prioritizing sleep, and maintaining balanced nutrition.

LOGAN: Listen to your body—it’s smarter than you think. For me, recovery became just as important as the grind. Sleep, nutrition, and downtime are your secret weapons. I used to think pushing through pain was strength, but I learned that real strength is knowing when to rest and recharge.

Yes, a balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates supports muscle health, recovery, and overall energy levels.

LOGAN: One hundred percent. Dialing in my nutrition completely changed how I felt and performed. When I started fueling my body right, I noticed fewer flare-ups, more energy, and better focus. Food became my daily medicine—it helped me compete and recover at the same time.

Consult a healthcare provider, but magnesium, potassium, and sodium supplements may help reduce cramps and maintain muscle function.

LOGAN: Always talk to a doctor first—but I found that maintaining healthy levels of magnesium, potassium, and sodium really helped keep cramps and stiffness under control. Small changes can make a big difference when your body is this sensitive.

Staying warm with appropriate clothing, warming up thoroughly, and using heated packs can help reduce stiffness triggered by cold.

LOGAN: The cold is brutal—it’s like kryptonite for my muscles. Staying warm is everything. I layer up, keep moving, and never let my body go still for too long. Once you learn to stay ahead of it, you can handle even the toughest conditions.

If muscles lock, stopping the activity, stretching gently, and applying heat can help. Resuming activity gradually is advised.

LOGAN: First—don’t panic. I’ve been there plenty of times. When my muscles lock up, I take a breath, let the contraction pass, and ease my way back into movement. Fighting it only makes it worse. Yeah, it can be embarrassing—but your health and safety always come first. Own it and move on.

Consistent training, proper recovery, and listening to their bodies can help athletes build resilience and adapt to their condition.

LOGAN: Consistency is the secret. The more you train, stretch, and adapt, the more your body learns to handle the condition. Eventually, you’ll discover what works for you. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress and persistence.

Physical therapy is vital for improving flexibility, strength, and coordination. Therapists can design individualized plans to address specific challenges.

LOGAN: Physical therapy is huge. It builds strength and flexibility in the right areas. For me, hip therapy was a game-changer since my kicking relied so much on hip mobility. PT keeps your body balanced and helps you move the way you’re meant to.

Monitoring intensity levels, incorporating active recovery, and tracking symptoms can help athletes avoid overtraining and its negative effects.

LOGAN: Simple: listen when your body says “enough.” I had to learn that the hard way. Rest isn’t weakness—it’s strategy. Every recovery day is an investment in your next performance. You can’t outperform your recovery.

Sports that emphasize endurance and controlled movements, such as swimming, cycling, or track and field, are often well-suited.

LOGAN: Definitely. Sports that don’t demand explosive bursts are usually easier to manage. I’d recommend positions like kicking or punting in football, long-distance running, cycling, golf, swimming, or even bowling. It’s about finding where your strengths shine brightest.

Yes, mental training techniques like mindfulness, visualization, and stress management can improve focus and help manage the psychological challenges of the condition.

LOGAN: For sure! The mental game is just as important as the physical. Adrenaline used to trigger my symptoms, especially during big games. Learning deep breathing, mindfulness, and visualization helped me stay calm and locked in. Once you master your mind, your body follows.

Yes, informing coaches and teammates ensures better support, understanding, and adjustments to training or competition strategies.

LOGAN: Yes—no hesitation. Be open about it. When I told my coaches, it created trust and understanding. They were able to adjust my training and support me when things didn’t go as planned. You’re not asking for pity—you’re asking for teamwork.

Compression gear, heat packs, foam rollers, and massage tools can aid in symptom management and recovery.

LOGAN: I relied on a lot of tools—compression sleeves, heating pads, massage guns, and foam rollers. They all help keep blood flowing and muscles loose. Find what works best for your body and make it part of your routine.

Athletes with Myotonia Congenita should remember that their condition does not define their limits. With perseverance, adaptation, and the right support, they can achieve incredible success.

LOGAN: Never let your condition define you. You define it. This journey will test you, but it will also make you tougher than you ever imagined. Use the challenge as your motivation. Every obstacle is a chance to prove—to yourself and to the world—that you can overcome anything. I did it, and so can you.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned through all of this, it’s that your condition—whatever it is—doesn’t get to write your story. You do.

There were days we felt defeated. Days we wondered why our muscles wouldn’t cooperate when we needed them most. But those same days taught us resilience. They taught us empathy—for ourselves and for others fighting their own invisible battles.

Myotonia Congenita made us different, yes—but it also made us determined. It gave us a fire that no setback could extinguish. Every time we fell or failed, we got back up. Every time we pushed through the stiffness, we were proving that our strength isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence.

If you’re an athlete dealing with this, or someone facing something that feels bigger than you, don’t let it break your spirit. Let it build you. You are capable of more than you realize. And when you finally push through the pain, the doubt, and the fear, you’ll see what we’ve seen: that the very thing you thought would hold you back can become the thing that sets you free.