Injuries Suck! - Here’s What I’m Learning From Mine
Right now, I’m dealing with a hip flexor strain. It’s actually something I had a couple of years ago back in Canada—but this time it came back harder. I felt it during training and tried to push through, but after a few training sessions, I could tell it was getting worse. Since then, I’ve been off the pitch with both Estoril and Trajouce, and honestly, it’s been one of the most frustrating things I’ve had to deal with since moving to Europe.
The Mental Side of Being Injured
In a pro academy setting, every session feels important. You're always trying to prove yourself—especially when you're new and still building your place in the squad. When you get hurt, it feels like everything pauses. Everyone else is moving forward while you're stuck watching. But the biggest thing I’ve learned is getting injured isn’t the end of your journey—it’s just a different part of it.
Communication Is Everything
Another ting I’ve learned, is that I have to speak up when something doesn’t feel right. As players, we’re taught to “tough it out.” But when you’re injured, pretending everything’s fine just delays recovery—and risks making it worse.
Only you know how your body really feels. That’s why it’s so important to communicate:
With your physio, so they can treat the real issue (not just the symptoms).
With your coaches, so they understand what’s going on and don’t assume you're not committed.
And with your parents, especially if you’re living abroad like me. They want to support you—but they can’t unless you're honest with them.
It’s not weakness to say you’re hurting.
Patience Is Hard. But It’s Part of the Game.
Being injured has forced me to slow down—and that’s not easy for someone who’s always active. But I’ve come to see that patience is about trusting the process, not just waiting around.
I’ve been using this time to:
Stay engaged at training even if I’m not participating.
Do upper-body work and injury-specific rehab.
Watch my team from the sidelines and connect with them in the locker room after games
Build mental strength and confidence for when I come back.
That’s part of the grind too—just a different kind of grind. I’ve been working with an awesome physio clinic who is supporting my recovery and as soon as they give me the green light, I’ll be able to come back to playing. And I can’t wait.
Final Thoughts
This injury has slowed me down, but it’s also helped me grow a little.
It’s taught me how to take care of my body in a better way. How to listen to what it’s saying. How to speak up when something’s off. How to stay mentally strong even when I can’t play.