Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
ARIELLE SANDERS
When I started at the University of Michigan, I had no idea I would have the opportunity to walk onto the rowing team. I immediately fell in love with the sport and the team. Every aspect of my life revolved around the team, and I didn't want it any other way.
During the fall of my junior year, everything changed. I became injured and had to medically redshirt for the rest of the season. I was devastated. What was I supposed to do without rowing? Being away from my teammates, unable to practise or compete, made me sick to my stomach. Negative thoughts ran through my mind.
I spent most of that year crying, feeling sorry for myself. I went from everything in my day to day revolving around rowing and my teammates to isolating myself to numb the pain. I felt like a failure. I was scared and embarrassed to ask for help.
This same year, Athletes Connected was created. I started attending Athletes Connected meetings. These meetings helped me realise that I shouldn't suffer in silence. I began to open up to my coaches and close friends. Learning how to communicate my feelings during these meetings was important for my mental health while being injured. With the injury rehabbed, I came back in the fall of the next year ecstatic to be back training with my favourite team.
Within the first week of practise, I was injured again. I was devastated. Through that year, I worked with my athletic trainer, and I was able to come back at the end of the season. But I did not contribute in the way I wanted. Fast forward to the beginning of my fifth year, I was still suffering from lingering injuries. My coaches and I decided that it was time to medically retire.
I had recently been elected as one of the captains by my teammates, and I felt that by seeking medical retirement, I was giving up and letting my team down. But in reality, it was the opposite. I was met with unwavering support. My coach asked me if I wanted to still be captain and take on a new role as a student coach. It took me a long time to accept that my rowing career was over. But I had a new place to put my passion for the team and rowing.
Athletes Connected and our athletic counsellors helped me realise that my sport does not define me. Even though I was not contributing to the team physically, I could still contribute by being a great leader and a great teammate. Although my journey was a roller coaster of ups and downs and different than I could have ever imagined, I am forever grateful for the experience. Michigan and Michigan rowing has changed my life for the better.
STEVE CONNELLY
We are one community.
CAROLINE MANDEL
You perform best when you're physically and mentally healthy.
JEVON MOORE
Asking for help is a sign of strength.