This week on The Mental Matchup, we sit down with Caitlin Walsh, a former

Saint Anselm College lacrosse player whose athletic journey was shaped by

multiple knee injuries, surgeries, and ultimately the difficult decision to

medically retire from the sport she loved.

Caitlin opens up about the mental health challenges that accompanied her

recovery, including anxiety, uncertainty, and the loss of an athletic

identity she had built for years. She shares how she navigated some of the

hardest moments of her life, what helped her move forward, and why choosing

to step away from the game became the right decision for her.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The mental health impact of long-term injuries

• Navigating multiple surgeries and recoveries

• Anxiety during the rehab process

• The challenges of medically retiring from sport

• Grieving the loss of an athletic identity

• Finding purpose and confidence beyond the game

Connect with Caitlin here

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