“With overuse injuries especially, how do you help injured athletes recognize what to take ownership for, and what was out of their control? For example, one's weightlifting form may have led them to injury. Shame and guilt can be common emotions here, which are not helpful to our recovery, but how do we recognize what causal factors to take ownership of in a healthy way?”

—Clark

 

“If a series of acute injuries are a consequence of a chronic condition, how can you ever live without fear of reinjury or, perhaps worse, self-blame? Asking for a friend.”

—Jennifer

 

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—and this week, it’s a twofer, with questions about exploring your own role in your injury

 

It’s common to search for answers after you get hurt, and while it makes sense to consider the factors that contributed, self-blame and self-flagellation do nothing to speed your recovery. Instead, they produce feelings of shame and a sense of being stuck in the past.

 

Instead, Coach Carrie recommends reframing injury as an inherent risk you face as an athlete. Have compassion for yourself, knowing that of course, you would’ve made different choices if you knew in advance what the outcome would be. And, she suggests ways to rebalance fear of re-injury by being clear and deliberate about how you’re rebuilding. 

 

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!
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• Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates
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• 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.