Episode Description
This episode of the Running Explained Podcast dives into one of the most overlooked parts of running performance: the mental and emotional side of injury. Coach Nick is joined by journalist and runner Cindy Kuzma and mental performance coach Carrie Jackson to unpack what really happens when runners get injured and why it is far more than just a physical setback.
Together, they explore how injuries impact identity, confidence, and motivation, and why so many runners struggle to slow down or step away from training. The conversation highlights the emotional complexity of injury, including surprising feelings like relief, frustration, and even grief, while also addressing the challenge of rebuilding trust in your body during recovery.
00:00 Introduction to the Conversation
02:29 Understanding Injuries in Runners
05:26 The Emotional Impact of Injuries
08:21 Mental Challenges of Injuries
10:54 Building Resilience Before Injury
13:56 The Struggle to Slow Down
16:42 Identity and Injury
19:56 The Role of Comparison in Running
22:41 Identity Loss and Its Impact on Athletes
24:46 Identity and Athleticism
29:23 Navigating Injury and Recovery
38:47 Mental Tools for Injury Management
45:59 Staying Connected to Your Athletic Identity
51:21 The Importance of Coach-Athlete Communication During Injury
53:19 Finding Joy and Purpose in Sport
54:44 Understanding Injury as Part of the Athletic Journey
56:21 Transforming Adversity into Growth
58:14 Building a Supportive Community for Injured Athletes
59:53 Advice and Insights from Experienced Coaches
01:05:43 Breaking Stigmas in Mental Health and Sports
01:08:23 Connecting with Coaches and Resources
Carrie Jackson is a performance and mental training expert, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, listed provider in the USOPC Mental Performance Directory, and the author of On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance. She’s one of the world’s foremost authorities on the mental and emotional challenges of recovering from injury. She co-authored the book Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries, and is the co-host of the widely regarded podcast The Injured Athletes Club.
Cindy is a freelance journalist with bylines in Runner’s World, SELF, The New York Times, and more. She’s the coauthor of both Breakthrough Women’s Running: Dream Big and Train Smart (with Neely Spence Gracey) and Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries (with Carrie Jackson); she co-hosts the Injured Athletes Club podcast and is on the leadership team of Starting Line 1928, an oral history project documenting the lived experiences of female distance running pioneers. She lives and runs in Chicago.
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