Healing isn’t linear: It takes time, patience and being your own best listener.

Recovering from an ACL injury has been a humbling experience. I went into rehab determined to do everything right: strength training, consistency, dedication. But sometimes, even when your heart is in the right place, the body has other plans.

At one point, I pushed so hard in my strength work that I strained my groin. That small setback ended up putting me back two months in my rehab timeline. It was frustrating. After all the discipline and effort, to suddenly feel like I was moving backwards was tough mentally as much as physically.

But recovery isn’t about perfection. It is about persistence. And now, 9 months post-injury, I’ve ticked off a huge milestone: completing my first few runs. I’ve also started easing back into training for the super long walks that I love, and every step forward feels like a win.

My motivation has always been clear. I picture myself hiking up mountains at sunrise, breathing in that fresh air, feeling strong again. That vision has carried me through the setbacks, along with the thought of smashing a few tennis balls on the court again soon.

Healing isn’t linear, and it’s rarely smooth - but with patience, dedication, and a vision for where you want to be, it does move forward. And I know that before long, I’ll be standing at the top of a mountain again, watching the sun rise.