FORWARD ⏩ // Moving forward one tiny step at a time
REPOSTED from my YOU CAN Newsletter: www.krissithomas.kit.com
Hello my InspoPeeps!
I'm sharing a story today. One that I hope inspires you to keep moving forward, no matter what you're going through.
My daughter was going for a hit at volleyball practice with a set that was too close to the net, but she wanted it anyway. And she killed it…on the 10-foot line. IYKYK. Hit the ground, collapsed, blacked out and then the realization set in. Something wasn’t right. She was in pain and had to be helped off the court.
“Mom, I think I did something to my knee. But you don’t have to pick me up.”
It was 9pm and I was heading out the door to pick her up from practice when I got her text. I was concerned but not too worried. I parked like I always do and when practice let out the coach came straight to my car. I saw my daughter with her teammates at the front door, and I was across the parking lot. Coach asked me to drive over to her. That’s when I knew things were serious. When I saw her, it was clear because her face was red, she was holding back tears, and her teammates had to help her into the car. As soon as the door closed, she broke down. Something this kid never does.
She landed wrong. Tore her ACL. Mid-season. Crushed. 😭
She’s 6 weeks post-surgery and physically she’s progressing well. This is amazing considering not only did she tear her ACL, but the surgeon also found medial and lateral meniscus tears. Mentally though? That’s a whole other type of recovery. And that’s what we’re talking about today.
No one understands what it’s like to go through an injury like this unless they’ve experienced it. I’ve had 2 ACL surgeries, a meniscus tear surgery, and a lateral release all on the same knee. I know. This is HARD. But I also know I can do hard things, which is what I’m coaching my daughter to believe. She’s 15-years old. This season of life is already tough but to add a devastating blow like this, mid-season and knowing it’s a full year recovery—that’s on a completely different level.
You have to understand that she’s on a national club volleyball team. She studies film any chance she can. She understands this game inside and out. She wants to win. She’s competitive as they come (I have no idea where she got that from😉). She also takes this edge to the classroom. She’s not satisfied unless she has an A (and that is ALL her doing because I don’t care about grades—only effort). She puts in the work both on and off the court and it’s impressive to watch.
But….
⚡How do you convince a 15-year-old that she will come back from this and likely stronger?
⚡How do you convince her to believe in herself and push through this challenging chapter?
⚡How do you encourage her when she says she doesn’t know if she wants to play again?
⚡How do you inspire her to realize she has time to heal AND get recruited for her college years?
I don’t have all the answers, but what I do know is this:
Life will never be a straight line from A to B. It’s how we adapt and change through the zigs and zags that matter.
Sports are one of the best ways to learn accountability (for self and team), perseverance, grit and how to strive to be better than you were yesterday.
Your situation is only temporary. It’s up to you how long the inconvenience lasts.
Learning to push yourself when no one is watching is the biggest flex of all.
Feeling sorry for yourself will only take you backwards. Stay positive by finding the joy and blessing in the struggle.
If I can coach my girl to believe these 5 things, she will go far. I know it firsthand. But having a 15-year-old listen to an old, washed-up competitive gymnast is one of the most challenging feats I’ve faced so far. 😂 So here’s what I’m learning from this chapter:
🛄 It’s her journey and only hers.
🦮 I’m here to guide, not tell.
💥 I’m here to inspire, not demand.
📖 I’m here to share stories, not “I told you so.”
🥰I’m here to love and support her—wherever and however she needs me.
When you relate this to your adult life it all applies. We will make excuses for everything and find the easiest way if our minds let us. We will tell ourselves we want to quit because it’s too hard, or that we are simply too scared. But the reality is this: We have to find ways to keep going, mine our motivation into action, walk through fear knowing you’ll come out better on the other side, and be the boss of ourselves. We need to learn how to have grace and ask for the help we need. And then work hard because the loving support we receive is what moves us forward—one tiny step at a time.
People, you’ve got this. Keep going.
More Inspo + Actions
📩 Subscribe: Please share the YOU CAN Newsletter with your peeps! I want to inspire as many people as I can, and I would love your help by sharing!
🛍️ Shop: www.krissithomas.com - my new InspoCoaching website is in the early stages and I'm so excited to share more with you soon. Grab my free YOU CAN Starter Guide, teaching you how to trust what's already inside, find your voice, and take bold steps forward, one tiny step at a time.
📖 Reading: The Well-Watered Woman - A beautiful book to bring scripture into your everyday life. Leading us to the Well of fullness, the Word of freedom, and the Way of fruitfulness.
💖 Loving: My new Blackstone(I know, late to the party!). It's so fun to cook outside with this little powerhouse of a cooktop! And now, I can cook everyone's favorites at the same time!
With Love + Inspo❤️
Krissi 😍
Your InspoCoach
InspoCoaching is how I live my life. From executive meetings and communications to young athletes I find the joy in the struggle. I aim to share inspiration you can use in your own life right now. A coach will meet you where you are and push you to find your edge. That's exactly what I do anytime I have the honor to help you fulfill your potential. Let's GO!