“ I tore my ACL last April; it’s been very challenging. Do you have any ideas on how to make the recovery process fun? Also, why do I feel so lost and confused without my sport—what should I do with this feeling?
—Ava
In season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast, mental skills coach Carrie Jackson answers a question every other week about the mental side of overcoming injuries.
This week, in response to Ava, she reiterates one of the key messages of The Injured Athletes Club: That you are still an athlete, and recovery is now your sport. And the first part of that recovery is feeling your feelings, not pushing them aside or denying they exist. To help, Coach Carrie recommends writing down your thoughts (in an Injured Athletes Club journal, if you like!).
As for adding fun to your routine, she suggests asking your PT if you mix up your exercises a bit. You can also set specific goals in rehab—ones that excite you—and plan celebrations for when you hit them. Finally, Coach Carrie suggests finding a goal buddy, who can make your journey both more exciting and more meaningful as you go through the tough stuff together.
Resources/links:
A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! The LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase.
You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show.
To access more resources for injured athletes:
Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook!
Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards
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