“ 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.
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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.