Advertise on podcast: The Injured Athletes Club

"  You already got hit with an arrow, right? You got hit with the first arrow. Don't hit yourself with another arrow. Don't contribute to your suffering by judging yourself and being mean to yourself and creating narratives that are unhelpful."   We're wrapping up our ninth season, after 7.5 years of podcasting. Don't worry—the Injured Athletes Club isn't going anywhere.   But we are taking our regularly scheduled podcasting break. To send you into the off-season, we're going back over three of Coach Carrie's clips that co-host Cindy found most valuable this year.   These include: How to consider other versions of your story The difference between comparison and clarity, and why it matters Why second arrows make injury or any other obstacle worse, and how to avoid them   We also share a bit about what's ahead for the show and the whole Injured Athletes Club endeavor—watch this feed, your email, and our social media for ways to share your feedback and shape our future.    Resources/links: Watch a 9-year-old coach herself up a very high climbing wall Join our Facebook support group, where we'll be hanging out all off-season A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

"It's so important to pay attention to how you are talking to yourself, because your words influence everything. So you really need to understand your self-talk and start to dive into it a little bit and know, OK, is the way I'm talking to myself right now—is that helping me or is that actually hurting me?" Imagine you're walking past two sets of coaches and athletes on the tennis court, track, or soccer pitch. One coach is yelling at an athlete for her poor performance, telling her it's all her fault and she'll never improve. The other is offering encouraging words, letting the athlete know she may have fallen short this time, but if she tries again, success is achievable.  Which coach would you rather play for—and which athlete do you predict will do better in the long run? Most of us would gravitate toward a leader who's empathetic and builds athletes up rather than tearing them down. But so often, and especially when we're injured, we serve as our own nightmare coach—blaming ourselves for any setback and constantly pointing out our own shortcomings. Coach Carrie sees this all the time in her clients, and in this replay of an episode from season 5, we're dedicating a whole episode to turning this equation around. Your self-talk matters, and there are many ways to notice that inner dialogue and shift it so you're nourishing your inner athlete, rather than feeding the monster of self-doubt and criticism. A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

"How do you date as an injured athlete when you identify strongly with specific sports and are drawn to others who also do those things … but you can't do them at this time? It becomes a source of anxiety and insecurity. Like, who would want to date a fellow runner who can no longer run? Or someone who seems to be perpetually in physical rehab?"—Evan   Navigating relationships can feel difficult as you're riding the roller coaster of injury recovery, Coach Carrie explains in this week's listener Q&A. And there are good reasons to consider not dating for a while: For example, you don't want to spend the time and energy, or you're feeling angry or jealous.   But if you're truly seeking companionship, it might just be a better moment than you think to get out there, she says. After all, your physical ability as an athlete is only one of many things you have to offer.    Because you know what it means to strive for big goals, you also understand how to support someone else in doing so, something athletes tend to appreciate in a partner. If you find a person you're compatible with when you're injured—something that can happen to any athlete or human, at any time—you can feel a lot more confident that your relationship can go the distance (pun intended).   Resources/links: Injured Athletes Club merchandise Injured Athletes Club Facebook support group A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

"  I got to the bottom after that jump and I started having thoughts of—'I've come this far, it's all gonna slip away if I can't compete and do well in this competition.' And as I walked across to the bottom of the jump to go back up the stairs, I basically said, 'I'm not gonna let that happen.'"   The first formative moment of Matt Petri's ski jumping career was probably when a coach convinced him to try the sport, rather than pursuing only alpine skiing. At that point, the event went from the scariest thing he'd ever done to something he couldn't wait to do again.   The second was at the 1984 Olympic Trials, when he bounced back from a bad first jump to take his longest leap ever, along with first place and a spot on Team USA  headed to Sarajevo in 1984.    But then there was another, when a serious crash before the Games even began that year threatened to take all he'd worked for away from him. On this week's episode, Matt shares what all these experiences taught him about the importance of focus and mental health—lessons that shaped his life, both on and off the slopes.   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

"How do I adjust my training mindset now that I'm a masters athlete? I have a hard time accepting that my body is no longer 20. I'm 35, about to turn 36." —Kelly   Society often tells us that getting older is something to be feared and refused—think about the concept of anti-aging. For athletes, there's an added layer of performance changes as we move into the masters categories.    The problem, Coach Carrie says in this week's Q&A episode, is that aging isn't an optional activity. By fighting against its reality, we often keep ourselves miserable and stuck. If instead, you accept that your body is shifting and has different needs and vulnerabilities, you can then take active steps to make the most of your current capabilities.    Rather than comparing yourself to others or to a past version of the athlete you were, seek clarity. Then, the focus isn't on how you measure up, but on what you need to make meaning of your athletic experience. That choice—to define what success means to you, and celebrate it—is always yours to make, and gives you the freedom to enjoy new and glorious paths forward.   Resources/links: Aging and Athletic Performance: Injured Athletes Club Webinar Recording Cindy's article in Runner's World: I Compared Myself to the Runner I Used to Be—I'm Learning to Let Go and Move Forward   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

"One thing that helped me—and I don't know if I really thought about doing this, I think I just did it when I was in the hospital—was just taking it a day at a time. Taking the day for what it is, not trying to look too far ahead. Obviously, you want to hit that goal of getting better, but take the day for what it is and what you can do that day."   As one of the world's most accomplished equipped lifters, Tony Carlino is used to hoisting huge weights over his chest and on his back.    But in 2019, he faced a challenge no gym session could have prepared him for: A bout of swine flu that led to a lengthy hospitalization and a 16-day medically induced coma. Afterward, with much of his muscle melted away, he had to relearn to walk before he could even contemplate lifting again.    When he did go back, the bar alone felt heavy. He wasn't sure he'd get back to competing, but he did, within five months. And just two years later, he officially benched 1,000 pounds for the first time, a feat he's repeated several times since (including earlier this year at a meet called Holy Wars, where he also squatted more than 1,000 pounds—the second person ever to do both at the same equipped meet).   Resources/links: Tony's Instagram and TikTok Everstrong, his clothing and supplement company   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

"I'm feeling left out, although I know it's not intentional. I joined a racing team this year, but have had to withdraw from several races already due to recovering from a bone stress injury. I did too much, too soon last year, and it finally caught me right after team training started—go figure!   There's another race this weekend that most of the team is running, and I'm always happy to support them, but it also sucks feeling like a wasted spot on the roster and not being able to attend any group runs or races while I'm recovering. Do you have any advice on handling this?" —Jacob   Even if your teammates are welcoming and supportive—which, Jacob told us in a follow-up message, his definitely are—it isn't easy to feel a part of things when you're sitting on the sidelines.   In this week's listener Q&A, coach Carrie validates those feelings of anger, disappointment, and even guilt and shame. But as she reminds Jacob, being a good teammate is about far more than what you contribute to the race times or final scores.   While you're healing, your role shifts from training and competition to taking care of your body. Often, there are ways to do that that deepen your connection rather than strain it—for instance, joining for the team warm-up, doing your rehab exercises alongside them at practice, or simply showing up to cheer and support when it counts.   Resources/links: Episode 139 | Professional Soccer Player Civana Kuhlmann: Strength in Vulnerability   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

" It's not going to be a linear journey, which is something that's been hard for me to wrap my head around. I have bad days and I have good days … I've had to learn that sometimes it's two steps forward, one step back."   Lyn Jutronich has been swimming since she was a child in the Chicago suburbs, and as an adult living near San Diego, she fell in love with the open water. But in November 2022, she experienced every swimmer's worst nightmare when a juvenile great white shark attacked her.   With help from her swimming partner, Lyn returned to shore. Her wounds healed in the weeks and months afterward. But what surprised her most were the psychological symptoms, including social anxiety and what was eventually diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder.   Time and treatment helped her manage. Then, on the third anniversary of the attack this past November, what was supposed to be a reclaiming of the day—and a triumphant return to the ocean—turned into another trip to the hospital with serious injuries. Now that she's starting down the next road to recovery, Lyn graciously shares the surprising approach that's helping her take things day by day and why she feels compelled to tell her story.   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

"I am nearly 8 months post-op after a femoral osteotomy to correct my knee. One of my biggest challenges is trying to figure out if my knee hurts because it 'should' as part of my recovery—or if it hurts because my body isn't used to this level of training after 7 months of not doing much. Can you help?"—Aaron   Sometimes, pain sends a clear signal to your brain that there's tissue damage or danger. But when you're recovering from an injury, those messages can get muddled, with an overactivated central nervous system firing off warnings even though there's nothing structurally wrong. And emotional stress, so common among injured athletes, can make the pain feel even more intense.   As Coach Carrie explains in this week's listener Q&A, one of the biggest challenges injured athletes face is telling the difference between pain that's a normal part of recovery and sensations that mean you're doing further damage.    Getting to the bottom of it is an individualized process that should involve your healthcare team. One thing many athletes find helpful is to enlist their physical therapist in writing a specific, personalized pain protocol—a way to plan what you might feel and how to react. Breathing exercises and soothing self-talk can also help reduce panic and tension, so you can make a clear, informed judgment about how to move forward.   Resources/links: Worksheets for Rebound, which include a pain log   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

" You don't want to think about a friend dying or going through a divorce or anything like that—you kind of don't want to even put that energy in the world. Same thing with running. You don't want to think about what it looks like, but the reality is, most of us are going to have to think about that. Not everyone can stand on the podium at age 70."   Dimity McDowell was first on our show back in 2022, when she'd just written a series of articles for (the late, great) Women's Running magazine about what happens when you can't run anymore.    As she describes in her return appearance this week, the overwhelming response to those pieces convinced her that there was more to the story. And a few weeks ago, her new book—The 27th Mile: How to Smooth the Rough Transition Out of Your Running Years—arrived to give athletes a literal handbook for how to move on.   Though it's focused on running, the advice she gives in this episode, and the book, can apply to anyone contemplating a shift in their athletic identity. She doesn't gloss over the grief—in fact, she explores different models of it, and how writing a running obituary can serve an important role. But she also makes it clear that there's a life of adventure and possibility on the other side, if you're patient and deliberate about getting there.   Resources/links: Dimity's Instagram The 27th Mile: How to Smooth the Rough Transition Out of Your Running Years Many Happy Miles Her previous appearance here, episode 75: Another Mother Runner's Dimity McDowell: Adventures Ahead   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

" How do I cope with knowing that I may never get back to where I was—that this might be a permanent change for me?" —Emily   Many athletes—whether they're professionals or amateurs—have a strong athletic identity. When that's threatened by injury, especially if it's a permanent shift, it's normal to feel frightened and unmoored, Coach Carrie shares in this week's listener Q&A episode.   Whether you have to give up your sport altogether or must adjust the way you participate, you should allow yourself to feel grief at the path you're no longer taking. But even as you mourn the loss, see if you can also channel gratitude, tapping into all the things your participation brought you. Those two emotions can indeed co-exist, she points out.   From there, Carrie shares a lesson from author Dimity McDowell—a preview of next week's episode!—about finding a new pursuit, and a reminder that how you feel right now isn't necessarily how you'll feel forever. Even if it doesn't seem possible, hold open the hope that you'll find a new way to fulfill yourself going forward.   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

"If I had to choose one injury or obstacle as the most difficult, it's really hard for me to do that because each one was very different in and of itself. I look back at them, and I'm honestly quite grateful I've been through it all, because it's changed who I am and it's made me who I am. You learn a lot when you're down and out."   Angela Naeth has been racing as a pro triathlete since 2008, and added gravel racing in 2022. In that time, she's had plenty of success, reaching the podium more than 40 times in 70.3 and Ironman events and placing in the top 8 at Ironman World Championships.    But she's also gone through her fair share of setbacks, from Lyme disease to stress fractures to, most recently, a posterior tibial tendon tear. Through her years of experience—and, she says, having gone to therapy after the end of a relationship—she's learned how to work through her emotions and accept where she is, then stay curious about what's next.   All that has led her to a place where she's thriving in her coaching, continuing to perform at a high level as a master's athlete, but also knowing that no matter what happens, she can keep challenging herself and finding new ways to grow and feel gratitude.     Resources/links: Angela's Instagram Angela Naeth Coaching The Middle Miles, the podcast Angela hosts with Amy Woods (including an in-depth episode about her hip injury)   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

" My surgery was a success, and my doctors have given me the go-ahead to play again next season, but it's been over a decade since my initial injury, and I needed to hang up my skates. I've been sidelined for about 11 years.  I was always a really aggressive player, and I've never been one to shy away from a confrontational situation on the ice. But after my injury, I'm worried that I'll be too nervous to really dig in and go full throttle when it comes to checking or anything that brings me too close to the boards. I DESPERATELY want to play again, but I know myself well enough to know that I'm going to get incredibly frustrated and angry if I'm not able to play at the same caliber that I'm used to. Can you help with the mental block I'm experiencing around returning to my sport?" —Caitlyn   Whether you've been out for a few months or more than a few years, returning to sport after injury can come with its fair share of anxiety.    You're not the athlete you were back then, Coach Carrie says. That can be a challenge to your athletic identity, but you can take active steps to reduce the dissonance. For one thing, set new goals based on where you are now, so you're not continuously comparing yourself to the you of the past.   Also, pay attention to the stories you're telling yourself about your performance—there's always more than one narrative available. The one you choose to repeat affects your feelings of motivation, self-belief, and confidence. And if you find you'd like a little extra support, it's never a bad idea to reach out to a certified mental performance consultant or sport psychologist for guidance through the process.   Resources/links: Introduction to Mental Training for Injured Athletes e-course Coach Carrie's Goal-Setting Crash Course   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

" When you take a moment to pause and label the emotion you're feeling, you're asking your prefrontal cortex to get involved, which pulls the activation out of the amygdala where your brain is processing threat or no threat. Instead of being overwhelmed by the physiological experience of the emotion. It creates psychological distance so you can experience it from a less threatening vantage point."   Here at the Injured Athletes Club, we talk a lot about the roller coaster of emotions. Today, on this host-ful episode, Coach Carrie guides us through some of the ups and downs you're likely to feel along the way.   Emotions—which are actually different from feelings—are messengers, if only we can listen to them, she explains. Pausing to get super specific about what you're feeling can prevent you from getting overwhelmed by what can feel like a monster hiding under the sand. Once you know what you're dealing with, you can decide how to move forward.   From there, she talks through a few specific emotions injured athletes often encounter, including denial, shame, and guilt. And then there's hope—which, though it sometimes feels like it, shouldn't be a four-letter word.   Resources/links: Worksheets from Rebound (including the Emotion Decoder)   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.

"I just had my 12-week post-op follow-up with my doctor. It was a good appointment and things are pretty much where they are supposed to be at this stage. But I've been hitting a wall in my PT in terms of fatigue and overall enthusiasm. Most days, my energy is very low, and I'm trying to incorporate more rest and sleep in as much as possible.    The doctor said at this stage—between month 3 and 12—is where the real work begins in terms of strengthening and getting back to where I was before, and hopefully stronger. So I'm wondering if you have guidance on keeping sustainable energy and output going long term, and how to recover more between sessions so I can make the most of the time in and outside of workouts. It's gotten a lot more strenuous over the last few weeks, and I'm having challenges keeping up with it."  —Darren   Often, we start rehab or physical therapy with energy and even excitement—we're starting the road to healing, and stepping up to the challenge. But as the weeks and months drag on, Coach Carrie explains in this week's listener Q&A, it's normal for that to wane.   To keep things sustainable during this phase, it's important to consider all the ways you're expending energy—everything may take more of it than it does when you're healthy and training—and make sure you're balancing that with recovery, she shares. And there's more great advice on keeping yourself going, including lessons from both a rubber band and your dog or cat.   Resources/links: Episode 158, Coach Carrie Answers a Question: In It for the Long Haul   A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 9 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! They're the creators of the LEVER system, a portable, lightweight device that attaches to a treadmill to reduce your body weight. Use the code INJURED20 to get 20% off your purchase here.    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 Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at [email protected] with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback   DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.