Episode 1: Popped!
On Friday, March 28, 2025, I finally stepped back onto the basketball court after nearly a year away. I knew I wouldn’t be at my best—I had gained about 15 pounds from my usual playing weight of 185, and my conditioning was shaky. But I was eager to return to the game I love. Even though I had to sub out often to catch my breath, my years of experience kept my mechanics sharp, allowing me to stay effective.
I was in a 35-and-over league, so I felt confident in my ability to compete. As the game wore on, I began to find my rhythm. I scored a few buckets, grabbed some rebounds, and made a couple of defensive stops. Just when I started to feel like I was hitting my stride, it happened. With one step—BAM—it felt as though someone had stomped on the back of my ankle.
I went down immediately. The moment I tried to stand, I knew it was my Achilles. Nobody was near me, which only confirmed my suspicion. I’d been here before—15 years ago when I dislocated my knee—and back then, I was terrified and believed my life was over. This time, however, I had a different perspective. I knew I would be out for a while, but I also knew my life wasn’t ending.
I reminded myself that I had come back stronger in the past. After my last “career-ending” injury, I created Faster Stronger Wiser and built a whole new path for my future. These thoughts sustained me as my teammates helped me off the floor. My wife immediately jumped into action when I called her. Because the injury was on my left foot, I could still drive to the hospital. On the way, I prayed, asking God to show me the next step, trusting that His plan would be better than my own.
At the hospital, they said it might be a tear, but deep down, I knew it was. Over the next few days, I stayed off work—my job as a fitness instructor was out of the question with a serious injury. Still, I refused to let the situation depress me. I focused on the future, seeing the opportunity in the obstacle. I had been down this road before, and I felt prepared to take on the challenge again, armed with newfound wisdom and humility.
That Sunday, March 30, I attended a virtual service by Pastor Christopher Bourne at Second Baptist Church in Monrovia. He spoke about “God Delivering Me Through It All,” referencing Psalm 34:19 (NKJV): “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” His words perfectly captured my feelings: everything good that awaited me lay on the other side of this setback. I simply needed to persevere.
By April 1—no April Fools’ joke here—I received the official diagnosis: a torn Achilles. I already knew, so I was mentally ready for the journey ahead. I’m committed to coming back stronger than ever.
As II Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” I’m trusting in God’s plan, relying on His grace, and reminding myself that if I overcame a major injury once before, I can certainly do it again.
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