KNOWING WHEN IT IS TIME TO PIVOT
Written By Terrina White Jr.
Four months ago, I experienced my first major injury. Growing up, I played basketball and participated in track and field, but the most severe injuries I had encountered were manageable with the typical RICE approach—ankle strains, skier's thumb, and a minor quad tear.
A patellar dislocation, however, was a frightening experience and required the most significant adjustment to my life in terms of training and athletics. Working with TCO made the process much easier, and my team of physical therapists and surgeons were transparent, optimistic, and supportive throughout.
The hardest challenge was personal: coming to terms with not being able to finish my workday with a workout, start my weekend with a good exercise session, and most importantly, continuing my fitness goals knowing I couldn't move my body in the way I had been accustomed to for over a decade.
My biggest challenge was my ego. The line between pushing through pain for growth and ignoring the signals your body sends is very fine. It took me four months to fully embrace the rehab plan my medical team provided. This wasn't due to a lack of trust, but because my ego wasn't ready to let go of the activity that brought me joy and relief.
I know I'm not alone in prioritizing a high level of fitness not just for the physical and aesthetically pleasing results, but also for the balance it brings to mental health. For me, a good workout has always been more than just reaching failure in my reps; it's been a crucial way to cleanse my body of daily stress and anxiety.
After two months, I hit my first plateau and even experienced a decline in progress because I pushed myself beyond the recommended movements and exercises given by my physical therapists. I wanted to heal faster, constantly test my "progress," and wasn't willing to give myself the grace to recover. My ego wasn't ready to let go of a routine that had been central to my sense of strength, confidence, and mental health. After another month of trying things my way, the pain itself was a clear signal that it was time to pivot.