By Carrie Jackson and Cindy Kuzma
4.9
6262 ratings
The podcast currently has 132 episodes available.
“ How does one find self-compassion when you’ve been through this too many times and understand the importance of the beginning phase while also itching to get out of it and back to the activities that bring me joy?
I know all the usual tactics: time with friends, using other activities (music, podcast, drawing), resting, lifting upper body and moving in whatever way I can that doesn’t jeopardize the surgical area, reframing, CBT, DBT, etc. But I still feel a bit lost.”
—Bec
It’s our very last episode of the season—and a fitting Q&A to end on, as Coach Carrie fields a question from an athlete who’s been through more than her fair share of surgeries (50, to be exact).
Coach Carrie uses a personal example to illustrate how even if you know all the tools to use, it’s still important to be diligent in implementing them. She talks about one of the cornerstone lessons of her work with injured athletes—Go FAR. She delves deeper into exactly what self-compassion means, and how to truly turn your empathy and love back toward yourself when you’re hurting.
There’s also a surprising mention of frog legs and a special soup—and stick around till the end for a very special guest you won’t want to miss!
Resources/links:
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:
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 one already has a good physical therapist, what are the benefits of a personal trainer when recovering from an injury or surgery? Is it just more money or can a personal trainer actually be a value add?”
“How do you balance being smart about prevention without letting worry of re-injury consume you?”
“What is the best way to recover from a VERY torturous PT session? Mental and physical. Also, more info on using blood flow restriction for recovery.”
“How can I trust that my crosstraining really works? And how can I let go of the fear of not recovering? I struggle with the feeling that I have lost all the success that was coming for me.”
“How many injuries do you incur and fight back from before you just give up?”
Coach Carrie has been tackling listener questions all season—and this week, she responds to not one, but four queries from Injured Athletes Club members out there.
She covers the best way to build confidence in your recovery, whether that’s assembling a top-notch team or celebrating small steps. She discusses fear of re-injury and how to calm down your nervous system after a tough PT or training session.
And, she talks thoughtfully about the very hard decision some athletes eventually face: How to decide when it’s time to move on. The answer involves getting deep about why you loved your sport in the first place, then giving yourself grace and patience as you work through whether you can fill your bucket with other options.
These questions come from five individuals but the answers have something for everyone—so don’t miss this one!
Resources/links:
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:
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 to deal with re-injury? I tore my ACL last winter and it almost broke me, but I fought my way back into skiing at almost my previous level this year. Now I just tore it again and I feel absolutely shattered. I wasn’t out of control or falling - the turn was just too much for my knee to handle and it snapped. I have no idea how I’ll ever feel confident enough to take up skiing in the future now this happened. Also, I’m feeling completely demotivated for my recovery this time around.”
—Marion
In the seventh season of The Injured Athletes Club podcast, mental skills coach Carrie Jackson answers a question every other week about the mental side of overcoming injuries.
In response to Marion’s question, Coach Carrie first acknowledges the emotional impact of re-injury. She explains the devastation and fear associated with experiencing the same injury again and how it affects an athlete's confidence. She then shares strategies for rebuilding trust in your body, emphasizing the importance of small, daily progress and positive self-talk.
Coach Carrie then introduces the Three R’s: Regroup, Reset, Recommit. Regroup involves staying in the present moment and avoiding past regrets and future anxieties. Reset means grounding yourself and accepting the current situation. Recommit encourages choosing determination over despair and moving forward with intention.
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:
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.
“Injury was horrible and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but I think again, that shaped me and that helped me become a better physician today because of those experiences. I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. It's part of who I am and has made me who I am today.”
Alex McDonald was in medical school when he tried a triathlon with a friend, just for fun. But he quickly excelled at the sport, and eventually decided to take a break between medical school and his residency to pursue it at a high level.
He had some success, but heading into his final season, he went out on a training ride that changed everything. He was hit by a truck, a dramatic collision that left him with shattered bones in his legs and an avulsion injury in his IT band. With patience and his family’s support, he worked his way back to walking, swimming, and eventually running (and—in the long run—to marathons).
The experience threw him firsthand into the life of a patient and shaped his path as a physician. He already knew he wanted to practice sports medicine and family medicine. Still, he emerged more determined than ever to treat each patient with respect and dignity, aiming to support them in achieving all their personal and athletic goals.
This episode is more than a dramatic and inspiring recovery story—Dr. McDonald also shares his key pieces of advice for navigating the medical system, advocating for yourself, and collaborating with your medical team so you can get back to the sport you love.
Resources/links:
Alex’s Instagram
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:
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 develop a bank of confidence for the future without comparing to past achievements?"
In this Q&A episode of The Injured Athletes Club podcast, mental skills coach Carrie Jackson tackles a crucial question from listener Jessica about confidence.
In her response, Coach Carrie emphasizes the importance of redefining goals, focusing on the present moment, and celebrating small victories. She explains how deliberately setting rehabilitation targets can help injured athletes shift their focus to what's within their control and redefine success. By letting go of past achievements and concentrating on future ones, athletes can start building confidence based on their current progress.
Coach Carrie also shares valuable insights on leveraging past performance accomplishments as a source of strength and the power of affirmations in combating the brain's negativity bias. And, she guides listeners on crafting personalized affirmations to reinforce self-belief during challenging times.
Resources/links:
Download a free pdf of athlete affirmations
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:
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.
“All of a sudden, I had two-thirds of my body that weren't working anymore. I had to figure out how to live my life and how to move my body around, who I was and what I was going do with my life in a way that was, I thought at the time, completely changed. Now, I don't think I'm completely changed. I think I'm exactly the same person. I just do things a little bit differently.”
Kelly Brush grew up in a family of skiers, excelled on the slopes from childhood, and eventually achieved her dream of skiing in college at Middlebury College. But during her sophomore year, when she was competing at the Williams College Carnival, an accident caused a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed.
Recovery wasn’t easy, but Kelly’s resilience carried her through. With support from her family (including her then-boyfriend, now-husband Zeke), her teammates and coaches, and many others, she realized she was still an athlete—and that now, she might even be able to make an even bigger difference.
Through the Kelly Brush Foundation, which she founded and is now on the board of, she aims to support others with similar injuries, advocating for the significant role of adaptive sports in recovery and quality of life. The foundation offers camps, grants, and an online program called the Active Project that helps introduce others to the freedom she found on the slopes and trails.
Resources/links:
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:
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 manage the jealousy towards non-injured athletes while dealing with your own injury?”
In the seventh season of The Injured Athletes Club podcast, mental skills coach Carrie Jackson answers a question every other week about the mental side of overcoming injuries.
This week, athlete Rachel voices what so many other injured athletes feel—wondering how to cope with the feeling of loss and jealousy when she sees others doing the sport she’s missing.
Coach Carrie acknowledges that feeling this way toward healthy athletes is normal during recovery. She explains the difference between envy (wanting what someone else has) and jealousy (fearing losing something you have).
Gratitude helps, she notes—but self-compassion may be an even more powerful tool to manage these feelings. By being kind to yourself and acknowledging your emotions, you can process them effectively.
Resources/links:
Episode 75: Another Mother Runner’s Dimity McDowell: Adventures Ahead
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:
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.
“Setbacks are a very common part of injury recovery. I don't know if it's ever happened where someone heals with a perfect upward trajectory. I'm going to, I'm going to go ahead and say, it's very rare that that happens. This is why we talk so much about resilience and hardiness and the bounce that comes with a rebound.”
Almost every injured athlete knows the feeling. You’re sticking to your plan, dedicated to your rehab, and certain that you’ll be back to 100 percent in the time the doctor outlined. Then, it happens—a new wrinkle to the injury, another procedure required, a deviation from the predicted path.
In this host-ful episode, Coach Carrie begins by normalizing the experience of feeling blindsided when you hit a snag in your recovery. But, facing a setback doesn’t mean you’re back to square one. Knowing that obstacles are nearly inevitable and often difficult to handle can help you feel your feelings, process what’s happening, and stay clear-headed about what to do next, she says.
Of course, that’s often easier said than done, so this episode is chock full of tools, techniques, and encouraging words. You’ll get ideas on how to manage emotional responses, adjust expectations, and maintain a positive outlook. Recovery may not be linear, but by developing your mental toolkit, you can better cope with the twists and turns injury—and life—throws your way.
Resources/links:
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:
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 thought I was done with this group. I had surgery in 2021 to repair a torn labrum in my hip and I was doing better. Then 6 months after surgery, I was given the green light to go jogging 2 blocks and I’ve been in hamstring pain since then.
How do you move past the back-to-back chronic injuries? How do I work out when I’m afraid anything will hurt me? How do I physically and emotionally heal from this 7-year injury journey?”
We always say, “We’re sorry you’re here, but we’re glad you’re with us”—and when we (Coach Carrie and Cindy) heard this week’s question from listener Jessica, we thought, “We’re so sorry you’re back with us!”
As much as we don’t like it, some of us will rejoin the club, and some will be back multiple times. Coach Carrie gives her best advice for those coping with chronic issues and fearful of what comes next.
Some of her tips involve ensuring you’re confident in your treatment plan and healthcare providers. She also suggests ways to adjust your mindset and actions, including focusing on what you can control, working with those providers on ideas for movement without fear, and showing your body—and yourself—extra kindness when things feel difficult.
Resources/links:
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:
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 this was 20-year-old, John Petrelli, I probably wouldn't have the positive mindset to navigate those waters. I would have probably been going, why is this happening to me? Being fearful, having shame, being angry. But because so many people had come into my life as a mentor and shared their gift of knowledge, their love, their compassion on me … I said, how do I possibly make something positive happen out of this that may impact other people?”
For 30 years, John Petrelli’s work as a personal trainer has relied on him being physically capable. So it came as a shock when, three years ago, he found himself in the intensive care unit, unable to move more than a single finger.
A sudden neurological disease landed him there, and—in addition to medical treatment—his mindset and his support system brought him through the experience, transformed.
You won’t want to miss John’s gripping tale, which he shared with Coach Carrie and Cindy on this week’s episode. He also tells the story behind his book, Confession of a Hollywood Trainer: The Journey That Changed My Life... and the Lessons I've Learned That Can Change Yours—including the very important reason why there’s a teen version. And, he shares words of wisdom and inspiration that are sure to resonate with people facing difficult challenges, at any age.
Resources/links:
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:
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.
The podcast currently has 132 episodes available.
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