Easton has felt like a second home since I was six years old. Honestly, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t training Jiu Jitsu. For nine years straight, I hadn’t gone more than three weeks without stepping into an Easton academy—until 2022.
In December of that year, I dislocated and fractured my right patella during training, which marked the start of a long and grueling journey. After enduring 12 months of physical therapy, two more dislocations and a major surgery, I thought the struggle was finally over. Five more months of rehab later, I was cleared to return to training full-time.
The next day, my knee dislocated again — a fourth time. How exciting.
This fourth injury was incredibly demoralizing. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t give up. I did, for a long time. I couldn’t shake the thought that I might never return to Jiu Jitsu. I stopped physical therapy, barely exercised on my own, and couldn’t bring myself even to visit the academy. After all the effort, giving up felt like my only option.
The constant question to myself was, “Why did this have to happen to me?”
My skills seemed to be slipping, my strength fading. Choosing the easy path and staying in that state of mind felt like the only thing I could do.
After nine years of training, I felt like I’d disappointed myself (and my dad, who had done so much to support me) by giving up, but it really seemed like the only way.
[Recovery Techniques for Athletes: Sleep, Rest and Injury Rehab]
Finding a new rhythm
Eventually, I started drilling with my dad on occasion. We took it slow and simple, being cautious with every move. But each time I put on my gi, I felt on the verge of tears — and sometimes, I did cry.
Maybe it was fear, guilt, or the frustration that I’d forgotten so much about Jiu Jitsu. My mind was so occupied with the thought that another injury could happen at any moment. I felt like a beginner again, fumbling through techniques like kimuras and triangle defenses. I felt useless.
But I realized staying involved in some way is essential. Being around the environment, staying in touch with training partners, and watching classes occasionally kept my mindset strong. For me, it was easier since most of my family is at the academy at least three nights a week. But you don’t need that connection to stay involved.
I also found new hobbies to keep my mind off my Jiu Jitsu future. I started doing my nails at home, crocheting, baking— simple things that kept me out of bed and away from dwelling on the pain.
It’s so easy to decide you’re never going back, to think coming back will be too hard and giving up is the easy way out. Push away from that mindset.
[How to Keep a Positive Mindset When Injured and Recovering]
Mindset matters
After everything, the most important thing I’ve learned from this experience is mindset. The physical therapy helped, but what really keeps you off the mats is the thought that you’re not good enough anymore.
Thinking in a positive way is so vital coming back.
Take my first tournament after the injury, for example. Going in, my head was full of doubts and fears about my knee and whether or not I’d be okay. As I finished that match, I realized I wasn’t thinking about my knee whatsoever; I was thinking about how to get past this girl’s guard.
Now, looking back, it all feels a bit ironic. For a long time, I kept asking why this had to happen to me. Now, I’m almost grateful. The experience pushed me to become not only physically stronger but mentally stronger as well. I developed resilience because I had no choice but to turn a tough situation into something meaningful. Learning to fail taught me how to stand back up.
[One Day at a Time: the Rhythm of Process]
The point is, injuries are hard. I wasn’t prepared to face all of this at 14, but honestly, who would be? My advice is to stop worrying. Stop overthinking, doubting, waiting, fearing, hurting — just do. Don’t seek the easy way out because it’s never better than the hard way.
People don’t naturally like doing hard things; it’s in our nature. But those challenges are what make us our best. Our pain and experiences build us up.
Life is tricky, and we’re all navigating it for the first time, so why be afraid to make mistakes? It’s our mistakes that make us unique. Embrace the difficult things.
