Episodes

  • 155 | Volleyball Player and Dietitian Tatum Vedder on Nourishing Your Recovery

    155 | Volleyball Player and Dietitian Tatum Vedder on Nourishing Your Recovery
    Jun 12 2025
    “  Surgeries one through three, there is still this fear around weight gain and therefore restriction. And I think part of me wants to know, is that a major factor in why I didn't heal well? I'm not going to dwell on that or guilt-trip myself over it; it's in the past. But it was also an opportunity for surgeries four and onward, to say: ‘Let's take a different approach. Let's nourish to heal. Let's not feed to skate by.’” Tatum Vedder was heading into her last year of collegiate volleyball, playing in a co-ed tournament, when she took a rough landing and had to be carried off the court. What she thought might be a couple of seasons away turned into six surgeries and what she eventually came to see would be a lifelong change. Tatum had already been studying nutrition, but it wasn’t until she began this ordeal that she had an aha moment about the impact of fueling on injury recovery. She learned to shift from a place of fear and restriction to one of compassion and nourishment. Not only did that improve her healing process, it shaped her career—now, she’s a registered dietitian who specializes in helping other injured athletes nourish their comebacks, too. Her story touches on identity shifts, asking for help, managing shifting timelines, and ultimately finding equilibrium through life's ups and downs. Resources/links: Tatum’s Instagram and website Olympic Beach Volleyball Player Casey Patterson: New Ways to WinEating During Injury Recovery: Webinar Recording A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! The LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase. You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show. To access more resources for injured athletes: Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook!Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cardsAccess webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our workJoin The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updatesJoin The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderieLike The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodesEmail us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 154 | Coach Carrie Answers a Question from Kat: Having Radical Honesty with Your Coach

    154 | Coach Carrie Answers a Question from Kat: Having Radical Honesty with Your Coach
    Jun 5 2025
    “ I’ve unfortunately faced a series of surgeries and setbacks over the last few years. While I feel like I have a supportive group of friends, I don’t feel like my primary coach has been that understanding of the mental toll that this has taken on me or how to navigate a game plan through my recovery, even though she’s successfully done that in the past with me as injuries have come up. She doesn’t feel approachable to talk to and rarely reaches out to me. While I know she isn’t my therapist, I feel like I should be able to have honest conversations with her. When I’m not injured, I normally spend several hours a week 1:1 with her during my lessons. Every time I’ve approached her to sit down and discuss goals, she has objected saying that we cannot set goals with the unknowns of injury and recovery. I don’t know if I need to sit down and have a conversation, or just find a different coaching team, even though we’ve worked together for over 10 years. Any suggestions on how to navigate this?" —Kat In season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast, mental skills coach Carrie Jackson answers a question every other week about the mental side of overcoming injuries. Kat isn’t alone in having conflicts with a coach during an injury—it can be particularly challenging when someone you’re counting on to support you doesn’t show up for you in the way you’d hoped. Navigating these dynamics may require a hard conversation and what Coach Carrie calls radical honesty: Explaining clearly how you’re feeling and channeling curiosity and non-judgment to find out her side of the story, and how you can both move forward. Resources/links: Our book Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! The LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase. You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show. To access more resources for injured athletes: Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook!Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cardsAccess webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our workJoin The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updatesJoin The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderieLike The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodesEmail us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.
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    10 mins
  • 153 | Elite Runner and Coach Becki Spellman: Embracing Your Best Each Day

    153 | Elite Runner and Coach Becki Spellman: Embracing Your Best Each Day
    May 29 2025
    “ It really helped me as a coach to be able to look at my athletes and remind them, it doesn't have to be about a PR, doesn't have to be about the best day you wanted, but it can be—if you're healthy—about the best day you have that day. And that can be celebrated, that can be fun, even if it isn't the outcome you would've ideally written in your book.” Becki Spellman has had a long, successful career in distance running—she qualified for her first Olympic Marathon Trials in 2008 and her fourth in 2020. In that time, she’s dealt with her fair share of setbacks, including two Achilles surgeries, diastasis recti, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, and more. As she shares in this week’s episode, she’s come to realize that the ups and downs are all part of the sport. As an athlete, her injuries have taught her about her body, her motivation, and ultimately, her resilience. As a coach, she’s learned how to guide others through both the postpartum period and injury-related setbacks, helping find the root cause of their problems and rebuild so they can get back to doing what they love. Becki is on the upswing now—she just won the Cap City Half Marathon on April 27 in 1:23:09. But at this point, her race times don’t define her; showing up, even when you’re far from your best, can be just as joyful and rewarding, she’s found. (And, she’s also found the LEVER system to be a critical part of both her rehab and her training—she shares more about how she uses it and why she continually recommends it to her athletes.) Resources/links: Recording of The Injured Athletes Club Recovery Summit: The Athlete's Toolkit A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! As you heard Becki describe, the LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase. You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show. To access more resources for injured athletes: Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook!Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cardsAccess webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our workJoin The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updatesJoin The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderieLike The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodesEmail us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.
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    1 hr
  • 152 | Coach Carrie Answers Two Questions: Don’t Play the Self-Blame Game

    152 | Coach Carrie Answers Two Questions: Don’t Play the Self-Blame Game
    May 22 2025
    “With overuse injuries especially, how do you help injured athletes recognize what to take ownership for, and what was out of their control? For example, one's weightlifting form may have led them to injury. Shame and guilt can be common emotions here, which are not helpful to our recovery, but how do we recognize what causal factors to take ownership of in a healthy way?” —Clark “If a series of acute injuries are a consequence of a chronic condition, how can you ever live without fear of reinjury or, perhaps worse, self-blame? Asking for a friend.” —Jennifer In season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast, mental skills coach Carrie Jackson answers a question every other week about the mental side of overcoming injuries—and this week, it’s a twofer, with questions about exploring your own role in your injury It’s common to search for answers after you get hurt, and while it makes sense to consider the factors that contributed, self-blame and self-flagellation do nothing to speed your recovery. Instead, they produce feelings of shame and a sense of being stuck in the past. Instead, Coach Carrie recommends reframing injury as an inherent risk you face as an athlete. Have compassion for yourself, knowing that of course, you would’ve made different choices if you knew in advance what the outcome would be. And, she suggests ways to rebalance fear of re-injury by being clear and deliberate about how you’re rebuilding. A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! The LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase. You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show. To access more resources for injured athletes: Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook!Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cardsAccess webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our workJoin The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updatesJoin The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderieLike The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodesEmail us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.
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    15 mins
  • 151 | Paralympian Ryan Medrano on Visualizing Success—then Living It

    151 | Paralympian Ryan Medrano on Visualizing Success—then Living It
    May 15 2025
    “ That's how I learn life. I look at it, I visualize myself doing it, and then I execute. And if it doesn't feel right, I can feel it. I can see it, almost like a third person's view. That's the way I've approached life; that's the way I've been able to really reel in on what I'm good at and what I'm not good at.” Ryan Medrano has faced his share of challenges—he was born with mild cerebral palsy, which caused motor and cognitive delays, and was often bullied as a child because of it. But as he learned to walk and read social signals, he gained knowledge about himself and the world that would eventually allow him to excel in sports and life. He met previous podcast guest Noelle Lambert when both were cast members on season 43 of Survivor. Noelle—who was already competing in para track & field —convinced Ryan he, too, should return to the sport (he’d run in high school) at the elite level. And within two years, he’d won a silver medal at World Championships, gold at the ParaPan American Games, and two silvers, in the T38 100 meters and 400 meters, at the Paralympics in Paris. All that success came despite frequently competing in pain related to his disability—his mental game, including his use of imagery and self-talk, has long been incredibly strong. But as his athletic career continues, he’s learning more about his body and what it needs to recover well and feel good. And along the way, he shares his passion with the next generation through his work as a motivational speaker. Resources/links: Ryan’s Instagram, TikTokEpisode 145 with Noelle Lambert A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! The LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase. You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show. To access more resources for injured athletes: Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook!Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cardsAccess webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our workJoin The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updatesJoin The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderieLike The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodesEmail us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • 150 | Coach Carrie Answers a Question from Kathy: On Having Patience for the Long Haul

    150 | Coach Carrie Answers a Question from Kathy: On Having Patience for the Long Haul
    May 8 2025
    “ How do you stay patient when the doctor says you’re doing too much? Mentally I get so down.” —Kathy In season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast, mental skills coach Carrie Jackson answers a question every other week about the mental side of overcoming injuries. This week, she empathizes with Kathy’s conundrum—most injured athletes aren’t happy with the pace of their recovery, because they don’t want to be injured in the first place. But patience is essential, and the way to cultivate it is to recognize it for the strength and power that it holds. Critical steps include letting go of comparisons and judging yourself not on where you hoped you’d be or where others are, but on where your body is today, right now. Breathe, focus on what you can control, and adjust your goals as needed to match your current reality, and soon enough, you’ll find yourself soaring beyond them. Resources/links: Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! The LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase. You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show. To access more resources for injured athletes: Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook!Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cardsAccess webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our workJoin The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updatesJoin The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderieLike The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodesEmail us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.
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    12 mins
  • 149 | Hockey Player and Marathoner Thomas E. Smith on Becoming What’s Possible

    149 | Hockey Player and Marathoner Thomas E. Smith on Becoming What’s Possible
    May 1 2025
     ”What went through my mind—I was 19 at the time, my birthday was the prior month—was, oh my goodness, is my life over in terms of being able to live my dream? Because hockey, for me, wasn't just a sport. It was a gateway to do better in all facets of life.” Tom Smith doesn’t like the word “impossible.” After all, time after time, he’s beaten the odds. After a paralyzing spinal cord injury during a hockey game, some doctors didn’t think he would walk again—but he found a team that believed he could not only walk but skate. Nine months later, he returned to the ice. His extensive rehab strengthened his body so much that he had no more risk of another injury than any other athlete. But the unthinkable happened, again, when he hit the boards during hockey practice. He found himself back in the hospital relearning to walk, having injured a completely different part of his spine. Once again, extensive therapy restored much of his function. Then, to complete what he calls his “unwanted hat trick,” a car accident on the way to physical therapy damaged his thoracic spine. It took three years, but he learned to walk once again; in the process, he found his life’s purpose. Now, he’s the co-founder and president of the Thomas E. Smith Foundation, which works to change the lives of those living with spinal cord injury and paralysis. And earlier this month, he walked the Boston Marathon for the seventh time, raising awareness and funds for paralysis along the way. Resources/links: Tom’s InstagramThe Thomas E. Smith Foundation A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! The LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase. You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show. To access more resources for injured athletes: Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook!Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cardsAccess webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our workJoin The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updatesJoin The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderieLike The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodesEmail us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational & informational use only and & does not constitute medical advice. Do not disregard, avoid or delay obtaining medical or health related advice from your health-care professional because of something you may have heard in an episode of this podcast. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with a qualified medical professional for proper evaluation & treatment. Guests who speak on this podcast express their own opinions, experiences, and conclusions, and The Injured Athletes Club podcast hosts nor any company providing financial support endorses or opposes any particular treatment option discussed in the episodes of this podcast and are not responsible for any actions or inactions of listeners based on the information presented. The use of any information provided is solely at your own risk.
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • 148 | Coach Carrie Answers a Question from Whitney: Rejoining the Group Ride

    148 | Coach Carrie Answers a Question from Whitney: Rejoining the Group Ride
    Apr 24 2025

    “ When you're injured and beginning to rejoin group rides/workouts, how do you let other riders know you're not at 100%? I'm thinking specifically of gravel and mountain biking. I have trouble clipping out quickly, and am currently overly cautious. I want to ride in the very back, but sometimes there are other people ALSO trying to ride in the back. I know people don't want/need to hear my ‘woe is me' injury story, but I also don't want to be a hazard!”

    —Whitney

    In season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast, mental skills coach Carrie Jackson answers a question every other week about the mental side of overcoming injuries. This week, she addresses returning to sport, and how to do so safely and respectfully when other people are involved.

    Coach Carrie applauds Whitney for her courage in getting back out there and her conscientiousness in being aware of others’ needs. Balancing it all out might take a little coordination and communication before the ride, either electronically or in person. This can feel uncomfortable at first, she acknowledges—but in the end, it’s the best way to clarify expectations and help everyone have the best day possible.

    Resources/links:

    • Recording of The Injured Athletes Club Recovery Summit: The Athlete's Toolkit

    A huge thank you to LEVER Movement, the exclusive sponsor of season 8 of The Injured Athletes Club podcast! The LEVER system is an innovative way to reduce your body weight, and the impact on your joints, while exercising on a treadmill. Use the code “TIAC20” to get 20% off your purchase.

    You can subscribe to The Injured Athletes Club on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts, and if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or a review in Apple podcasts. That helps other injured athletes find the show.

    To access more resources for injured athletes:

    • Buy Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries —now available as an audiobook!
    • Buy Injured Athletes Club merchandise, including hoodies, stickers, patches, journals, mugs, hats, and gift cards
    • Access webinar videos, mental rehab e-courses, and more great resources for injured athletes while supporting our work
    • Join The Injured Athletes Club mailing list, for news and updates
    • Join The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group, for support and camaraderie
    • Like The Injured Athletes Club Podcast Facebook page, for the latest episodes
    • Email us at hello@injuredathletesclub.com with questions, guest suggestions, or other feedback
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    10 mins