<p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p>00:00 Introduction to the Conversation</p><p>02:29 Understanding Injuries in Runners</p><p>05:26 The Emotional Impact of Injuries</p><p>08:21 Mental Challenges of Injuries</p><p>10:54 Building Resilience Before Injury</p><p>13:56 The Struggle to Slow Down</p><p>16:42 Identity and Injury</p><p>19:56 The Role of Comparison in Running</p><p>22:41 Identity Loss and Its Impact on Athletes</p><p>24:46 Identity and Athleticism</p><p>29:23 Navigating Injury and Recovery</p><p>38:47 Mental Tools for Injury Management</p><p>45:59 Staying Connected to Your Athletic Identity</p><p>51:21 The Importance of Coach-Athlete Communication During Injury</p><p>53:19 Finding Joy and Purpose in Sport</p><p>54:44 Understanding Injury as Part of the Athletic Journey</p><p>56:21 Transforming Adversity into Growth</p><p>58:14 Building a Supportive Community for Injured Athletes</p><p>59:53 Advice and Insights from Experienced Coaches</p><p>01:05:43 Breaking Stigmas in Mental Health and Sports</p><p>01:08:23 Connecting with Coaches and Resources</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://cindykuzma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Cindy Website </a></p><p><a href="https://carriejackson.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Carrie Website -</a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rebound-Training-Bounce-Stronger-Injuries/dp/1472961439" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Rebound </a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://instagram.com/amanda_katzz/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Amanda IG</a></p><p><a href="https://instagram.com/nklastava/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Nick -IG</a></p><p>Email - [email protected]</p><p>🚨 1:1 COACHING SPOTS OPEN NOW 🚨</p><p>Ready to finally train with a plan that’s built around YOU?</p><p>✅ Personalized training</p><p>✅ Weekly support + adjustments</p><p>✅ Strategy, structure, and accountability</p><p>✅ Expert coaching to help you actually hit your goals</p><p><br></p><p>Not ready for a 1:1 Coach</p><p>📝PDF Training Plan Templates available</p><p>🤝Group Coaching, Strength Training and Unlimited access to</p><p>all Training Plans available in The Run Club App</p><p>Not sure talk our Training Plan Quiz to find the right training</p><p>plan for you!</p><p>https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/688249e4b0197d00157fba4c</p><p>Learn more about all of this at <a href="www.runningexplained.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Running Explained</a></p>