The Stuff In The Basement
Watch Rocky Balboa Stuff In The Basement Scene
Rocky Balboa is the Rocky movie that even most Rocky fans have not seen. It is Rocky 6, the story of the middle aged former championship fighter who is struggling with his place in the world after his wife has died and his career is over. He decides he is going to start fighting again and he goes to see his best friend Paulie to ask him to help him train. At first, Paulie thinks the idea is crazy and ridicules the former heavyweight champ as only a best friend could do by saying “what you haven’t peaked yet?”. Then he wonders if Rocky has been driven crazy by the death of his wife. Finally, he listens while Rocky explains that he still has some “stuff in the basement”. Rocky fights back the tears as he explains he has a ‘beast’ inside him. Paulie asks him to describe the beast but all he can say is that sometimes he can’t breathe, he never knew life would be so hard, and that it wasn’t supposed to be this way. Paulie is unable to ease his friend’s pain. A few scenes later Paulie and Rocky converse in the alley behind Rocky’s restaurant and Paulie assures Rocky he will be OK. When Rocky asks how Paulie knows, Paulie replies, “the stuff in the basement”. He knows Rocky can control or even overcome the stuff in the basement. The stuff in the basement is who Rocky is at his core.
We all have stuff in the basement, but like Paulie said “what is this stuff?”. A beast is a pretty good description, but really ‘the stuff’ is anything and everything that lives within us. The hopes, the fears, the worries, the good experiences and the bad. I believe the “stuff” is everything that makes you, you. It is our soul, our spirit and our nature. I like to think of the beast as a wild stallion. Some people never even attempt to ride - it’s too dangerous, too scary, they heard of someone else who tried and it went horribly. These are the people who die at 25 but are not buried until they are 75. They watch life as a spectator and never fully experience what life could have to offer. Others ride and allow themselves to be thrown off never to try again. Another group will successfully ride the stallion, get thrown off, climb back up and ride again. Repeating the rise and falls of life until they are either too tired, injured, or old to keep riding. The final group is what we should all strive for - the ones who tame the stallion.
Now, it’s important to distinguish that the beast doesn’t necessarily mean a negative thing. It does not have to be some burden we are forced to lug around our entire lives. Rather, it is our relationship to the stuff and how we interact with this “beast” that truly matters. If you look you can notice how people handle the stuff. Most of us use a distraction method. The work-a-holic uses work to avoid confronting the beast but will often have success until he is no longer able to work. The athlete will be distracted with training and competition. People will be distracted with shopping , gambling, media, food, and partying. The unfortunate, will become distracted with drugs and alcohol to the point that they become addicted.
So, what does all this “stuff in the basement” have to do with medicine and orthopedics? Some of what you may consider the bad aspects of ‘the stuff’ could be ruining your health. Anxiety is the worry about the future and depression is the worry about the past. Both can result in chronic stress which can ruin your health leading to chronic disease. The physician, Gabor Mate, is an expert in how childhood trauma can increase stress and lead to chronic disease. His book, The Myth of Normal, is an excellent resource to explore this topic further. Some of us develop coping mechanisms which can be beneficial if used properly, but harmful if taken too far. The key is to be mindful of how you handle your own “stuff in the basement”. If your struggle with stress, trauma, anxiety, and depression is serious then I urge you to discuss this with your physician or therapist.
“The unexamined life is not worth living”
- Socrates
“To know thyself is the beginning of true wisdom”
- Socrates
The Greek philosopher Socrates would have wanted you to examine your own basement and ponder how you deal with your “stuff”. Some of the techniques you are using to manage ‘the stuff’ in the basement directly affect your health. Some are safe and healthy techniques but you need to be mindful not to take them too far or have a back up plan if you come to a point in your life where they are not an option. It is always best to address the root of the problem so you have an arsenal of techniques to clean up or get rid of “the stuff in the basement”. Tobacco, alcohol, exercise, work, and overeating are a few things worth considering in regards to your health.
Tobacco addiction is something orthopedic surgeons frequently need to address when treating patients. I am well aware that smokers have already been told by other physicians, family, and friends to quit smoking. At this point in my career, I am beyond judging you. I know plenty of people who believe cigarettes bring them a level of joy and stress relief. I’m thinking of the person who loves to wake up in the morning for a cup of coffee and a cigarette or the person who loves to sit with friends over a drink of whiskey and a cigarette. It is understandable if the smoker comprehends the health consequences and is merely choosing the risk of a shorter life and likely physically difficult old age for more pleasure now. I simply explain that good blood flow is needed to heal most orthopedic injuries. Smoking causes heart disease by clogging the arteries to the heart. It also clogs the arteries to the bone, tendons, ligaments, and skin. These arteries are microscopic compared to the heart arteries so you could have healing issues long before your heart gives out. This could range from being in a cast or brace for a few more weeks to not being a candidate for certain surgeries. If you are a smoker, consider the pros and cons and reevaluate frequently.
Nicotine’s Effects on the Brain & Body & How to Quit Smoking or Vaping | Huberman Lab Podcast #90
“ 90% I’ll spend on good times, women, and Irish Whiskey. The other 10% I’ll probably waste”
- Former Phillies relief pitcher Tug McGraw (father of music star Tim McGraw)
Alcohol is another common substance that can bring pleasure and help distract from the stuff in the basement but can lead to addiction for some. Alcohol can be a great stress relief and social lubricant in moderation. Previous studies on alcohol have suggested that moderate alcohol use could be good for your health. Current research shows all alcohol is toxic and likely harms you physically. Andrew Huberman, has a great podcast on Huberman Lab related to alcohol use. He explains the risks and benefits in a non judgemental way and lets you decide how much to drink.
What Alcohol Does To Your Body, Brain & Health - Huberman Lab Podcast #86
Something to consider is that our trauma centers and emergency rooms are filled with injuries related to alcohol use. These can range from drunk driving accidents to simple falls. In the age of Uber, never drink and drive. If you suffer from an alcohol related fall, I’d urge you to take a moment of reflection to make sure your injury was a fluke and not the sign of a bigger problem.
If you do suffer from alcoholism, I urge you to seek help. Understanding that heavy drinking can damage your body and interfere with your orthopedic healing. If you are admitted to the hospital make sure your physician is aware of your drinking so they can help you avoid acute alcohol withdrawal which can be life threatening.
“The hangovers hurt more than they used to, cornbread and ice tea take the place of pills and 90 proof “
- Hank Williams Jr
As you get older you may not be able to drink like you used to. Be mindful not to let drinking interfere with your family life or work life. Parenting or working hungover is like fighting with one arm tied behind your back. If you are working on improving your health, be careful not to let alcohol interfere with your nutrition, exercise, sleep, or stress reduction gameplan. A helpful hint from my extended family to yours. The best hangover cure is to wake up - hydrate, workout and sweat it out, then either go about your day or take a nap.
“Exercise is King and Nutrition is Queen. Put them together and you have a kingdom.”
- Jack LaLanne
”Who’s gonna carry the boats?”
- David Goggins
Exercise is a useful technique to clear out the stuff in the basement. Studies show exercise is as good if not better than medicines in treating depression and anxiety. Not only does it serve as a distraction, but your muscles and nervous system release chemicals when you exercise that can combat many mental health issues. An exercise addiction is usually something applauded by society. For many, it makes them a better spouse, friend, family member, parent, or provider. Physicians need to be aware that exercise is many patients’ main coping skill for the stresses of life. This means if someone's knee hurts when they run the solution is not just to tell them not to run. The physician and the patient need to come up with other exercises the patient can use to take the place of their preferred exercise. This is particularly important for patients in recovery. They need to be careful not to replace exercise with a harmful addiction. Older and disabled patients often need alternatives to their favorite exercise if their body no longer allows them to perform. I have had many patients who had difficulty coming to terms with their inability to do activities they used to love. I have had retirees work their whole life so they could play golf every day who could no longer play due to injury. Many need some non-physical hobbies and lower demand fitness alternatives to take the place of more rigorous exercise and sports. Fitness is beneficial in so many ways but I urge everyone to diversify their stress relief solutions to prepare ahead for possible injury and aging.
Fitness Toolkit: Protocol & Tools to Optimize Physical Health | Huberman Lab Podcast #94
No one on his deathbed ever said, “I wish I would have worked more”. I’m not sure I agree with this sentiment. For some, work-a-holic tendencies save them from a more harmful addiction. Others take great pride in their work and the ability to provide for their loved ones. The key is always balance. Do not let work interfere with your relationships with your family and friends or harm your health. If an injury keeps you from working you need alternatives to control your stress. A temporary disability can be prolonged due to stress. A permanent disability can be devastating if the patient does not find productive alternatives to their previous employment.
Finally, some patients use eating to distract from stress. Comfort eating can be useful in many situations. Ice cream with your children or nachos and beer with friends have their role and benefits in many situations. The concern is patients who are over eating unhealthy foods to detract from mental health issues. The temporary dopamine hit from the mouth pleasure does not leave people feeling better in the long run. These bad habits can ruin your health. Some patients can remain skinny, but the bad food results in chronic disease. Others now deal with obesity which complicates health even more. Obesity can no longer be treated as lack of willpower or laziness. For some, they need instruction on how to work with their genetics which may naturally cause them to be heavier. Others need to first work on mental health and I would suggest asking for help and starting therapy.
Healthy & Disorded Eating | Huberman Lab Podcast #36
So how did Rocky deal with the stuff in the basement? He started training again. He made a conscious effort to make new friends. He reached out to old friends. He repaired the relationship with his son. Ultimately, he started training Adonis Creed and found purpose in his life. Over 8 movies he had many ups and downs but he kept moving forward.