Athletes in Division I are mostly seen in games, highlights, and big events. They see how successful, tough, and exciting college sports are. They don't see the accidents, stress, and mental problems that come with playing college sports very often.
One of the worst sports moments of my life was breaking my knee. I was hurt badly enough that I couldn't work for weeks. Everything about my daily life changed. I had to learn how to walk again and again. I went to school, played sports in Division I, and worked hard to get my real estate license.
I now think of that time as one of the most important things I've ever learned.
Division I Athlete Stress: Most people in Division I sports work full-time jobs. Practice, strength training, games, travel, rest, and school are all on the plan. Athletes are also under constant pressure to achieve and improve.
According to studies from the NCAA, a lot of student athletes have problems with their mental health. The NCAA (2023) says that thousands of college players feel anxious, mentally tired, and under a lot of stress when they have to balance sports, school, and personal life.
Most athletes deal with these stresses every day. But getting hurt can make those problems worse.
The Day Everything Swashed Out
Everything stopped when I hurt my knee.
My routine of training, fighting, and growing disappeared. Recovery took precedence over success for me.
It's hard to get back to normal after a terrible accident, both physically and mentally. You get better sometimes. Some days I feel like going backwards. To walk, bend your knee, or get stronger again, you need to be patient.
The mental fight was even worse than the physical pain.
A lot of players feel connected to their sport. When you lose, you might feel like you've lost a part of yourself. So, both physical treatment and mental toughness are needed for an injury to heal.
The Mind of Recovery
Mental health is now a priority in college sports. Competition, coach and team standards, and not knowing what the future holds for many athletes are stressful.
The NCAA found that over the past few years, student players have been feeling more stressed, anxious, and emotionally worn out.
Injuries and stress can test your mental strength, as shown by another NCAA athlete argument. College players have shown that these issues need persistence, help, and mental toughness.
While I was getting better, I learned how important mindset is. It was hard to keep up with the slow progress. I learned, though, that growth takes time.
As in sports, it's most important to be consistent and follow through.
How to Turn Failure into Inspiration
After getting hurt, I started to think about what I could do besides sports. D1 players have a great chance, but it won't last long. To plan for my future, I also wanted to build.
At that time, I chose to get my real estate license.
It was hard to manage therapy, school, sports, and studying for the license test at the same time. The days were long, hard, and stressful. But having an athletic attitude helped me keep going.
Athletes learn how to stick with something even when it gets hard. The same habits helped me stay on track.
I stopped seeing my pain as something that was stopping me and started using it to get better in other areas.
Lessons Not Just From Sports
I calmed down and thought again after breaking my knee. I learned that big wins aren't always a sign of success. It's sometimes important to do the quiet work when no one is looking.
That event taught me useful things that will help me in my sports and real estate jobs.
First, be strong.
Life doesn't always go as planned. Journeys have bumps, obstacles, and hard times. What matters is how you answer.
Second, focus makes things possible.
The same discipline that helps athletes can help with business, schooling, and personal growth.
Third, attitude is everything.
Mental challenges can be the hardest, whether you're recovering from an accident or studying to get your professional license.
Making Progress
That hurt is one of the most painful and important things that has ever happened to me. Being able to walk again after breaking my knee taught me to be patient, persistent, and mentally tough.
I learned that I can do well at other things by getting my real estate license while also playing Division I sports.
Division I sports will always define me. My accident, recovery, and lessons in discipline will have an impact on my life long after I stop playing sports.
The way you think is the same in work, on the field, and in everyday life:
Come on in.
Do your best.
Don't let loss shape your story.

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7 unbreakable minds: The untold mental health stories of NCAA athletes and their coaches | Health & Wellness | 2adays news. (n.d.). https://www.2adays.com/blog/11-unbreakable-minds-the-untold-mental-health-stories-of-ncaa-athletes-and-their-coaches/

NCAA.org. (2023, May 8). College sports not immune to mental health challenges. https://www.ncaa.org/news/2023/5/4/media-center-college-sports-not-immune-to-mental-health-challenges.aspx