Injuries Happen – But So Does Support

In July 2024, I tweaked my hip while working out — or at least, that’s what I thought happened. I was out of town at the time, figured it was just a small issue, and returned to the gym ready to push through like it was no big deal.

But it was a big deal. What started as a “tweak” turned out to be a torn labrum in my hip — an injury that would eventually require surgery to fully heal.

Abby picked up on it immediately. Every day she saw me, she asked, “Did you make your PT appointment with Gavin yet?” She wasn’t going to let me blow it off, and honestly, if it weren’t for her persistence, I probably would have.

From there, every coach stepped up — checking in with me before class, helping me modify workouts, and making sure I felt seen. Even though I’m a coach myself, they never assumed I had it all figured out. They adjusted programming for me without hesitation, made me feel supported instead of sidelined, and never once made me feel like a burden.

Eventually, PT helped… but not enough. The pain stuck around. My outdoor adventures became more limited. Modifying every workout became the norm. And when surgery was finally laid out as the best option, I was scared. Six weeks on crutches? Months of recovery? A full year before being “me” again?

It felt like a lot — until I opened up to my fellow Coaches.

Jimmy sat down with me and shared his own surgery journey — the highs, the lows, and the honest truth about what recovery actually looked like. Brooke followed it up with a simple but powerful question: “Where do you want to be a year from now?” The answer was clear: back to my normal self. And I realized surgery was the path that could get me there.

This community helped me find the courage to take care of myself — not just physically, but mentally too. I’ve got surgery one week from today, and while I’m still nervous, I’m not doing it alone. The Coaches are my teammates, my sounding board, and my support system.

And that’s what this place is all about.

Every athlete who walks through the doors should feel supported, cared for, and cheered on — whether they’re chasing a PR, coming back from injury, or just trying to move and feel better. We’re all here to lift each other up, to help each other grow, and to make sure every single person has their best experience possible.

Injury might have pulled me back temporarily — but community is what’s pushing me forward.

– Coach Emma