Adjusting My Sails: Finding Strength Through Setbacks
Growing up, I played every sport I could soccer, volleyball, basketball, track, and eventually golf. Golf felt like the great equalizer; it wasn’t about size or speed, but skill and strategy. Over time, though, I developed Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS), a painful overuse injury that left me with numbness and tingling in my arms, eventually taking me out of the game.

After nearly eight years of misdiagnosis, my college physician finally identified the issue, and two surgeries relieved my symptoms. I was thrilled to return for my senior season but my body wasn’t ready. I couldn’t finish practices, and the physical pain left me mentally drained.

During that low point, I threw myself into mental health advocacy through The Hidden Opponent and Morgan’s Message. Sharing my story and connecting with others helped me heal from the inside out. I relearned trust especially in my athletic trainers and committed to slow, consistent progress.

The comeback was gradual: small gains, repeated exercises, and the realization that strength builds quietly. When I finally returned to competition, I played smarter, not harder focusing on accuracy over power and pacing myself. That approach led to a new collegiate best.

Through it all, I learned that mental and physical health are inseparable. Pain can weaken the mind, and a heavy mind can weigh on the body. My recovery came from leaning on others, finding calm through yoga and creativity, and accepting that success sometimes means adjusting expectations.
You can’t control the wind but you can adjust your sails.