The Injured Athletes Club Carrie Jackson and Cindy Kuzma

“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:
EDGE Athlete Lounge Episode 32: Cindy and Carrie Travel Through Time  
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! Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards Access webinar videos, injury sources, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com 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.
 

“ 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:
Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook! Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards Access webinar videos, injury sources, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com 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.
 

“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:
Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook! Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards Access webinar videos, injury sources, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com 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.
 

"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:
Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook! Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards Access webinar videos, injury sources, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com 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.
 

“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:
Kelly’s Instagram The Kelly Brush Foundation website and Instagram The Active Project, which links adaptive organizations and athletes  
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! Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards Access webinar videos, injury sources, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com 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.

“ 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:
Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries—now available as an audiobook! Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards Access webinar videos, injury sources, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes Email us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com 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.