By Chantal Bouchard
Dealing with injuries as a competitive CrossFit athlete is not easy. In 2018, I injured my right shoulder while doing a ring muscle up. I didn’t seek help right away, believing that time would heal everything. This was the worst decision I could have made. The injury took me off of the competition floor for over a year and let me tell you, it was mentally challenging. In June 2019, I finally stepped back on a competition floor. The first minute of that first workout made me realize that it was all worth it. I was stronger than ever.
Unfortunately, in December 2019, while coming home from work, I fell on the ice and injured my left wrist. Don’t get me wrong, I was so upset and angry. This year was supposed to be my year. I had everything planned and I was so ready for it.
I reached for help from professionals right away. We had good days that looked promising and other days where we had to start over. There were days I felt like giving up and other days I was fully motivated. On this day, I am still not fully recovered, but we are definitely on the right path.
This being said, the physical pain from an injury can be challenging, but the mental game is a daily struggle.
Here is a list that I try to follow that helps me stay positive while being injured:
Managing Injuries – A Checklist
- Focus on what you can control. I mean it. Or else you wont make it.
- Write down daily goals with your coach, as tiny as they may be. My coach is a person I trust making decision for myself when I can’t control my emotions.
- Think about something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look harder.
- Work on your weakness, get better at something else.
- Put extra work on your mobility\recovery. I love the RockTape mobility tools.
- Follow your recovery pace, don’t go too fast or else you will have to start over.
- Stay away from social medias. Stop comparing yourself to others.
- Surround yourself with positive friends and family.
- Eat healthy, sleep more and smile often.
- Believe in your comeback story.
#MindOverMatter #GoStrongerLongerCanada