The Athlete Experience with Chronic Illness

In this episode we explore the physical, mental and social aspects of dealing with chronic illness as an athlete —— navigating the physical challenges , learning how to advocate for yourself, and managing the tension of the “athletic mentality" with the realistic need to listen to your body. 

We cover various psychological components such as the impact of a lack of understanding from others, the burden of self-doubt, the unpredictable and confusing nature of chronic illness, feelings of weakness and loss of athletic identity . . . we discuss insights into coping with feelings of isolation, changes in relationships, and how to identify your true support network. And we wrap it the discussion by talking about medical retirement, factors involved in making the decision to medically retire, and the pros and cons of staying involved with your sport. 

If you are an athlete coping with chronic illness, know that we have incredible respect for all the ways you fight your invisible challenges. We hope this episode provides encouragement to you as well as practical tips and ideas for managing life as an athlete with chronic illness. 

For the rest of us, we encourage you to listen in on this discussion, learn about the athlete experience with chronic illness, and share this podcast within your network of athletes, athletic trainers, and coaches. There are athletes out there who need our informed understanding, our empathy, and our support. ❤️💙