"Real Warriors Adapt": How One Athlete Refused to Let Incontinence Stop His Training

NorthShore Care Supply May 1, 2026

Jack shares his story

My name is Jack, I’m 55 semi-athletic but zealous with training. I never imagined I’d be telling a story about incontinence. I’m a runner, a weightlifter, and someone who has always defined myself by discipline and resilience. But a few years ago, long COVID hit me hard. It stripped away my stamina, my routine, and unexpectedly…my bladder control.

It started on simple dog walks. Half a mile in, I’d feel a sudden wave of urgency that I couldn’t control. Before I even made it home, I’d be soaked. It was unsettling. I went from marathon-level training to worrying whether I could walk my dogs without peeing my pants.

Then came prostate surgery for BPH. I hoped it would help. Instead, my urge incontinence got a little worse. I went from wearing pull-ups occasionally “when needed” to wearing them more often than regular underwear. There was a sadness in that — a quiet, private sadness most people never talk about.

But somewhere in that low point, something shifted. I decided that if my body was going to change, then I was going to adapt. I wasn’t going to stop training or abandon my goals. I was going to rebuild — even if I had to do it in pull-ups.

NorthShore gave me permission to keep living. Their pull-ups gave me confidence to walk, run short distances, strength train, and slowly reclaim parts of myself I thought I’d lost. I started lifting again even heavier. I joke with friends that I’m training to look like the Spartan dude from 300, but there’s truth in it: I’m forging myself again.

Incontinence doesn’t define my strength. What defines it is that I didn't quit.

If my story helps someone else feel less ashamed, or less alone, then sharing it is worth it. Real warriors adapt. And I’m still adapting, one day at a time.

Thank you for reading our customer stories.

NorthShore works to remove the confusion and isolation surrounding incontinence, helping individuals better understand that “incontinence is very common, often treatable, and regardless, very manageable.” — Adam Greenberg, President & Founder of NorthShore

We are grateful for the opportunity to share these journeys and provide products that help people live life to the fullest.

Learn more about sharing your story through the NorthShore Hero Club.

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