The Mental Side of Injury Recovery Every Athlete Needs to Hear

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, I’m joined by Lauren Turner, LCSW, licensed clinical social worker, mental performance coach, former collegiate athlete, and founder of The Turner Practice. We dive deep into the mental and emotional side of injury recovery, chronic pain, athlete identity, and what it really takes to heal without losing yourself in the process. Lauren shares why so many athletes stay in pain long before they admit it, how recovery is rarely a straight line, and why the way we think about injury can shape the way we heal. We also talk about the identity struggles that can happen when sport becomes your entire world, why young athletes need space to be kids, and how parents and coaches can better support long-term health instead of just short-term performance. This conversation is packed with insight for athletes, parents, coaches, and anyone who wants a better understanding of the connection between the body and the mind. If you’ve ever pushed through pain, struggled with burnout, or wondered how to come back stronger after injury, this episode is for you. Topics covered: The mental side of injury recovery Chronic pain and athlete identity Why recovery is not linear How to support young athletes The importance of listening to your body Building resilience without overtraining Connect with Lauren Turner: The Turner Practice: www.theturnerpractice.com Instagram: @theturnerpractice The Turner Practice Project: @theturnerpracticeproject If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with an athlete, parent, or coach who needs to hear it. Dana’s Links: ⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠ Podcast Disclaimer: The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.