Jared Maynard, a well-known powerlifter and coach from Canada, recently shared his shocking story during the July 15, 2024 episode of the Iron Culture podcast. The story revealed how Maynard went from a fit, strong young athlete to fighting for his life with a life-threatening disease in almost the blink of an eye. The tale was shocking.
Almost as remarkably, Maynard returned to the powerlifting platform in just over one year to perform better than ever before. Maynard attributes his survival and rapid recovery, in large part, to strength training.
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Jared Maynard: From the Lifting Platform to the ICU (and Back Again)
Maynard began his competitive powerlifting career in 2016, first lifting raw with wraps in the 82.5KG class in the Canadian Powerlifting Federation (CPF) before becoming a light 93KG athlete in the Canadian Powerlifting Union (CPU).
Maynard lifted in two contests with the CPU over the 2017-2019 period, increasing his total and his DOTS score considerably each time.
- “DOTS” is a formula that allows for the comparison and ranking of powerlifters from different weight classes against each other.
Maynard’s powerlifting career stalled with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many did. But, as he was planning his return to the platform, he was struck down suddenly with a debilitating and life-threatening illness.
In just 30 days from the onset of symptoms, Maynard was on life support in the intensive care unit (ICU), fighting for his life. He was initially diagnosed with mononucleosis, but this triggered a much more serious condition: Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
At his lowest point, Maynard experienced a range of debilitating conditions, including liver failure, imminent kidney failure, enlarged spleen, and hemorrhagic tonsillitis.
What Is Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)?
Although HLH has many similarities with auto-immune disorders, it’s a hyper-inflammatory disorder. It is life-threatening and characterized by dysregulated immune activity resulting in malignant inflammation and multi-organ failure. In adults, the mortality rate is around 41 percent. (1)
- One of the most common triggers is viral infection, particularly with the Epstein-Barr virus. This was the route for Maynard, as the Epstein-Barr virus caused the mononucleosis that began the cascade of symptoms and triggered full-blown HLH.
After a broad spectrum of medical treatments, including dialysis and chemotherapy, Maynard escaped danger, but the road to recovery was long. Maynard had to regain his ability to walk as well as re-learn to speak and swallow due to the atrophy in his throat musculature.
It wasn’t square one or zero anymore. I OWED squares.
Occupational therapy and physical therapy were key aspects of Maynard’s recovery of functional strength and mobility. It was a long and difficult process but, exactly one year later, Maynard made his return to the powerlifting platform.
Not only did Maynard make it back to the sport, he set personal records in his first competition post-illness. He finally hit a long-term goal of eclipsing a 500-pound deadlift and improved his DOTS score by about five points.
The Strength of Strength Training
Maynard maintains that his muscle mass, strength, and fitness contributed critically to his survival. Part of it was the amount of lean muscle he carried which served as a reserve to draw on during the five crucial weeks when he received minimal nutrition.
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Throughout the illness, Maynard dropped from 193 pounds bodyweight to around 150 pounds. Much of the weight lost was muscle.
“I knew being strong and working on fitness came with a whole plethora of benefits,” Maynard said. “I never predicted it would end up being so needed in such a critical way.”
All of the lifting and building of lean tissue [was] this insurance policy I had no idea I was paying premiums on.
Maynard began lifting at around 15 years old with the intent to be stronger on the football field. He turned to more aesthetic pursuits as time went on. This gave him a strong and healthy base. He says that doctors said that if he hadn’t been as fit as he was, he would not have survived the illness.
Strength saved my life.
More Powerlifting Content
- Jamal Browner (110KG) Deadlifts 1,014 Pounds for a Rep and a Half In Training
- “Necessary Risk”: Watch Powerlifter Jesus Olivares Attempt 981-Pound Squat Double
- Should You Lift Faster to Increase Strength?
References
- Konkol S, Rai M. Lymphohistiocytosis. [Updated 2023 Mar 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
Featured image: @jared.rebuild_stronger on Instagram
