2014 was a turning point for Erbol Zheentaev, a young and ambitious man. At a wedding, during a typical altercation, a conflict arose that led to a serious fight. As a result of the incident, Erbol sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, which changed his life forever.
Three months in a coma: the aftermath of the wedding
At first, no one realized the seriousness of the injury; the hematoma on his head did not cause much concern. However, in the hospital, Erbol's condition worsened, and he underwent his first surgery. The morning after the operation, there was a repeat hemorrhage, necessitating a second surgery. After that, Erbol fell into a coma for a full three months.During that time, his family was going through difficult times: his wife gave birth to their second son while Erbol was caught between life and death.
“I saw people around me, but I couldn’t speak. Perhaps I was talking inside my head, but I couldn’t express it in words,” he recalls.
Returning to life: the first steps towards recovery
When Erbol was discharged from the hospital, new challenges awaited him. He spent a year and a half in complete immobility, fully dependent on his relatives. His family—his mother, brother, and friends—provided him with constant support.
Particularly difficult for him were the moments when he had to wear a diaper, something he could not come to terms with.
“My first goal was to get rid of the diaper. It meant I could achieve more,” says Erbol.
From that moment, his journey to recovery began. Erbol would rise, leaning on corners and furniture, and each step brought him joy—it was a return to normal life.
His children became a powerful motivation for him. “I didn’t want them to see me helpless. I didn’t want my loved ones to cry because of me,” he shares.
Erbol admits that he sometimes cried, but he never showed it to anyone. He was determined not to let his life end at 26.
At that time, he went through a divorce, but later tried to restore his relationship with his ex-wife, suggesting they start over. However, she refused, and Erbol realized that he needed to stand on his own feet for the sake of his children and himself.
His support came from friends. One of them, Bektur, brought him shawarma, which reminded Erbol of his previous life when he could eat whatever he wanted. At that time, he was being fed through a tube, and food was provided exclusively in liquid form.
Erbol smiles as he recalls how this small moment awakened in him the desire to live fully: to chew again, to taste, and to eat independently. Gradually, the tube was removed, and he set a new goal: to recover through nutrition and discipline.
New love and marriage
Over time, a new love entered Erbol's life. He remembers how they walked around Bishkek near the "White House," and he noticed that the legs that used to hurt were now no longer a problem.
“It felt like first love. In such spring, you can’t sleep; you think about a lot...,” he shares.
The wedding took place in November 2025.
A coaching career against all odds
Becoming a coach was not something Erbol had planned, but life circumstances forced him to change his plans. He started with small weights—lifting 2-kilogram dumbbells for a year. Despite doctors' prohibitions, he continued to train and always consulted with medical professionals, studying recovery techniques.
He has doctors he trusts and maintains constant contact with them.
“I became more cautious. If something feels off, I immediately consult the doctors. They know anatomy better,” says Erbol.
He undergoes preventive brain treatment courses every year: it used to be every six months, now it’s once a year, which helps maintain a stable condition.
Although the consequences of the injury remain—for example, sometimes his memory fails him; he forgets small things or may not recognize a person by voice until he sees them—he writes down important things, records them, and supports his memory with vitamins and medications.
For almost six years now, he has been working in one of the gyms in Bishkek not just as a coach but as an inspiring mentor. People come to him not only for physical fitness but also for psychological support, as he knows how to speak in a way that makes people reconsider their lives.
“Sometimes I talk to my students in a way that makes them cry because I understand what they are going through,” he notes.
Erbol receives numerous messages on Instagram from those wishing to train with him specifically, as he is not a theorist but a person who has gone through a challenging journey. He explains his philosophy like this: “If you just place a ball down, it will stay in place. But if you push it, it will start rolling. A person also should not stand still; they need to move forward.”
His approach is based on quality, consistency, and discipline. He does not promise miracles but teaches what truly works: discipline, water, limiting sweets, proper nutrition control, and exercise.
“I can provide motivation, but you have to build your own discipline. No one can raise you better than you can yourself,” emphasizes Erbol.
The power of faith: how faith helps to move forward
Faith occupies an important place in Erbol's life. He believes that Allah has always been with him and “showed the way.” In 2025, he fulfilled his mother's dream by taking her on Umrah, which he considers one of his greatest achievements.
Today, Erbol lives an active and fulfilling life: he trains, helps people, interacts with children, and maintains contact with his loved ones. He is convinced that goals should constantly grow and that movement forward should never stop.
The main lesson he has learned from his experience is that true strength is not manifested in easy times but in moments when it seems impossible to rise, yet you continue to fight.
The philosophy of overcoming by Erbol Zheentaev
