I went running this morning for the first time in 6 months.
I’ve been doing cardio on my bike, but I haven’t run in a really long time because I injured my ankle in September 2025 playing basketball, right as I was starting to feel better from a concussion at my pro scouting event in July 2025.
Let me tell ya... it felt GOOOOD to run. I felt alive. I felt like I was living to the fullest.
Not just because of the runner’s high, but because I was doing something I had been terrified to do for half a year. I was afraid to push myself out of fear of getting re-injured.
It made me realize how much I’ve been living in fear of my own body breaking down. I haven’t played basketball in months since I walked away from my dream of playing professionally due to concussion side effects and costs.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust my body, but I was holding back. As a lifelong athlete, that is a tough sensation to live with.
To be frank, I only ran for 25 minutes and then finished on the bike because I didn’t want to push my luck. Smart progress means easing back into things.
During that run, I realized how much this fear was preventing me from living. I stopped going on certain hikes, skipped activities, and stayed away from playing basketball for fun, which used to bring me so much joy. I was slowly transitioning into a hermit.
I miss feeling the power my body can generate. I miss the stamina, the speed, and feeling explosive.
My body isn’t 18 anymore. Recovery takes longer, especially in a calorie deficit, and injury rehab takes patience. But having been an athlete for most of my life, I think it’s a shame when people never get to experience what the human body is truly capable of when you fully commit to a goal.
When I was 16, I was 6’4” and 160 lbs, built like a fat spaghetti noodle. I decided I wanted to be strong, so I put in the work. Years later at 19, I built myself up to 240 lbs and deadlifted 500 lbs off the ground.
That experience changed my life because I did what I said I would do.
It is an incredible feeling to feel powerful in your own skin. Everyone has the potential to feel that way, but it requires a willingness to work for it.
I’m sharing this because I know I’m not the only one fighting through setbacks or feeling afraid to get back out there. Whether a setback takes months or years to overcome, the journey back is always worth it.
I’m done living in fear. I still need to be smart with my recovery, but I refuse to let fear stop me from challenging myself.
If you’ve ever had to rebuild yourself after a injury or major life pivot, know that you aren’t alone.
Have you ever had to overcome a physical or mental setback that made you afraid to push yourself? Drop a comment below, I’d love to connect and hear your story.
Sincerely,
Maxime