I had a chronic injury (rotator cuff) caused by years of weight lifting. It got so bad, sometimes I couldn't put my shirt on. The only "treatment" was laying off exercise. I thought I was doing something wrong until I realized that I had selected a "less than optimal" form of exercise.

I also had plantar faciitis, caused by years of improper running.

In 2005, I was recommended this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Yourself-Power-Ultimate-Transf...

which totally changed my thinking and led me to many other resources.

Now my exercises are:

  - Hindu squats
  - Hindu pushups
  - pushups & chinups
  - Heavyhands on stairs
  - moderate running barefoot or with minimal shoes
  - 5 rites
  - occasional superslow on machines in the gym

I am in the best shape of my life with NO injuries.

Even though some of my responses were a little tongue in cheek, this one probably best supported OP's theme of "never looking back".

I'm a runner who's just recovering from a injured Achilles tendon. Do you know what specifically caused your plantar faciitis? I want to avoid it, and I know someone who's suffering through it right now.