The college recruiting process is not just about athletic performance, it's an emotionally and mentally demanding journey that can deeply affect a young athlete’s sense of identity, worth, and well-being. Behind the highlight reels and scholarship offers, many athletes experience fear, pressure, self-doubt, and burnout. Recognizing and supporting their mental health during this time is critical. Through compassionate guidance, open communication, and space for self-reflection, coaches and parents/guardians can help athletes stay grounded in who they are, not just what they do.

In shifting the narrative from striving for the perfect body to embracing the one we have, we make room for a healthier, more compassionate self-view. Instead of focusing on how we look, we can focus on how we feel in our skin, how we feel about what we’re doing with our bodies, how we care for them, and how we can continue to listen to their needs.

Injury recovery is not just a physical process, but also a deeply emotional and mental one. It is important to address the psychological aspects of recovery such as fear, depression, grief, and isolation, alongside physical rehabilitation. Crucial to the healing process includes mindfulness, visualization, and cultivating a positive relationship with the injured body part. Ultimately, the journey of recovery requires not only physical effort but mental and emotional resilience to return stronger and integrated with the injury as part of our identity.