We sit down with Jimmy Sides and Zena to discuss injury prevention and the journey of coming back from injuries. Jimmy Sides, a Paralympic athlete and Marine veteran, shares his experiences and the challenges he faced after a devastating injury that resulted in the loss of his right hand and blindness in his left eye.

Jimmy talks about his goal of competing in snowboard racing and making it to the Paralympic team. He shares how he moved from California to train and race, aiming to represent the US internationally. However, his journey took an unexpected turn when he suffered a torn ACL while skateboarding in 2016, causing him to miss the entire snowboard season.

Despite the setback, Jimmy's determination and military background played a crucial role in his recovery. He emphasizes the importance of breaking down big goals into smaller, manageable steps. With the guidance of his orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tom Hackett, Jimmy followed a well-structured plan for surgery and rehabilitation.

Throughout his recovery process, Jimmy focused on achieving small milestones, such as transitioning from crutches to stationary bike exercises and gradually incorporating body movements. He highlights the significance of being process-oriented and understanding that healing is a step-by-step journey.

The video explores how Jimmy's military training and previous sports experiences helped cultivate his self-efficacy and perseverance. His mindset of never quitting and always getting the job done translated into his recovery journey. While the road to recovery was challenging, Jimmy's determination, supported by Dr. Hackett's expertise, ultimately led him to return to full activity and pursue his athletic goals.

This conversation serves as an inspiration for athletes facing similar situations, providing insights into the mindset and strategies that can contribute to a successful comeback from injuries. By sharing his story, Jimmy offers valuable advice and encourages viewers to focus on the process, set achievable goals, and embrace the challenges that come with rehabilitation. 

Check us out and our upcoming content at: 
https://www.artofprevention.org/

us Parasnowboard: 
https://www.teamusa.org/usparasnowboarding

Jimmy Sides: 
https://www.teamusa.org/usparasnowboarding/athletes/James-Sides

Wake for Warriors: 
https://www.wakeforwarriors.org/


Read more in the peer reviewed citations here: 

Du T, Shi Y, Huang H, Liang W, Miao D. Current study on the influence of psychological factors on returning to sports after ACLR. Heliyon. 2022 Dec 19;8(12):e12434. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12434. PMID: 36590562; PMCID: PMC9798193.

Martinez-Calderon, Javier, Carmen Zamora-Campos, Santiago Navarro-Ledesma, and Alejandro Luque-Suarez. 2018. “The Role of Self-Efficacy on the Prognosis of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review.” The Journal of Pain: Official Journal of the American Pain Society 19 (1): 10–34.