Why am I having to twist my motor around by hand, off a compression stroke, before it will start?

Guess because I don't know model. Check valve clearance.

Mine was doing this and had a loose cable

Which engine does it have? Read this related link https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/tools-power-equipment/20-5hp-briggs-compression-release-valve-89671.html

Battery is bad

This post is almost a year old so the poster is long gone. Monroe is new but needs to limit answers to known facts and not wild guessed like a dead battery. Many poster would give you a negative mark for guessing.

Guessing is the motherload of screw ups..