Injury, Identity, and the Untold Truths of High-Performance Sport

Photo credits to Elite Sports Performance Medicine

In the world of high-performance sports, injury is an inevitable shadow. Yet for many young athletes, it remains an afterthought until it’s too late. In a candid conversation with kinesiologist Mekayla Seeley and former university goalie Megan Seeley, we unpacked the critical, often overlooked realities of athletic injury, recovery, and identity.

The Wake-Up Call Young Athletes Need

Both Mekayla and Megan echoed one resounding truth: young athletes are not doing enough to care for their bodies early on.

“Prehab is something no one talks about,” Megan said, “but it’s crucial. Most young athletes train every day without even knowing how to properly stretch or fuel themselves.” She stressed the importance of educating athletes from the beginning, distinguishing between injuries and being hurt, understanding recovery, and investing in proper nutrition and mobility work.

Mekayla, added that strength training should begin earlier than most believe. “Yes, it needs to be age-appropriate,” she clarified, “but weight training builds not just strength, it helps with bone density and injury prevention.”

When the Game Becomes Your Identity

Megan’s story is a powerful example of how sport can shape a person’s entire identity. “I had been a hockey player since I was two and a half,” she said. “The clothes I wore, the music I listened to—my whole lifestyle revolved around being an athlete.”

For years, she pushed through the pain, but after her final concussion, she had no choice but to step away. Even entering a rink became overwhelming. “I thought everyone was against me,” she admitted. “But they were right to prioritize my health. I just couldn’t see it at the time.”

The decision to walk away wasn’t easy. It came after her third major concussion. “I had agreed with my doctors and my mom that one more would be the last. I didn’t think that moment would actually come—but it did.”

Mental Health: The Unseen Battle

Mental health emerged as another critical factor in the recovery process. Both highlighted the emotional toll of injury, especially when it results in the end of a career.

“When your whole life has been your sport, injury recovery isn’t just physical—it’s a mental unraveling,” Megan said. “You have to find something else that fuels you. Sport ends eventually, and if you have nothing else, it hits hard.”

Mekayla echoed this, noting that support systems and therapy can make or break the process. “Even if you think you’re fine, talk to someone. It’s a spiral that happens faster than you expect.”

Inside the Training Room: What Athletes Aren’t Taught

While Megan offered the lived experience of injury and identity loss, Mekayla brought the perspective of someone who sees these patterns every day, often too late.

As a kinesiologist , she’s worked with countless young athletes who treat recovery like an afterthought. “Athletes will show up when something’s already gone wrong,” Mekayla said. “They’ll wait until the pain is unbearable instead of building habits that prevent injury in the first place.”

Mekayla emphasized that recovery isn’t just about ice packs and rest days—it’s about having a plan. From prehab exercises and mobility work to individualized recovery routines, she urges athletes to treat their bodies like tools that require regular maintenance.

She also debunked a common myth: that athletic therapy is only for elite or injured athletes. “You don’t have to be broken to benefit from treatment,” she said. “You just have to be proactive. If we normalize therapy as part of regular training, athletes will last longer—and perform better.”

For Mekayla, prevention and education are everything. “We need to teach athletes what to do before things go wrong, not after. That’s where the real change happens.”

Rewriting the Narrative Around “Toughing It Out”

A major theme throughout our conversation was the dangerous culture of pushing through pain. Megan recalled being encouraged to “just play through” her concussions in high school, losing her scholarship in the process and compounding the damage. Mekayla added that many athletes, especially in sports like hockey, are praised for their grit, but that mentality is often harmful.

“The reality is, taking time off to recover is not a weakness,” Megan said. “It’s the smartest way to ensure you can actually enjoy the sport for as long as possible.”

They emphasized the long-term cost of ignoring early signs of injury. What starts as a nagging pain can evolve into lifelong damage. “Now I’m 26 and need hip surgery,” Megan said. “If I had taken care of my body better, I might not be here.”

Advice to Athletes: Take the Long View

When asked what advice they’d give young athletes who are pushing through pain, both Megan and Mekayla agreed:

“Zoom out. Think 10 years ahead. If your dream is to play professionally, protect your body so you can get there. But if you know this isn’t forever, don’t sacrifice your long-term health for four years of pain.”

Their final takeaway? Start strength training early, invest in prehab, find joy outside of your sport, and never be afraid to speak up for your health—even when coaches or teammates don’t understand.

What It All Comes Down To

Athletes are not invincible. Injury is not weakness. And walking away does not make you a failure. These conversations are part of a larger movement to shift the culture of sport toward one that values longevity, holistic health, and the person behind the player.

If you’re an athlete reading this: take a breath, take a break if you need to, and remember—your worth is not tied to your playing time. Your health comes first.

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