Every athlete experiences a setback during his or her career. That’s just part of sports.
But with every setback, there’s also a chance to comeback.
Liberty Mutual Insurance sat down with US Freeskiing’s Skier Heidi Kloser (Vail, CO) to get her thoughts on making a strong comeback from a setback.
In our exclusive Take 5 interview, Heidi shared her challenges and lessons stemming from a highly publicized, highly complex right knee injury. The injury occurred in Sochi, Russia, in Heidi’s first training run the morning of the moguls event at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Less than an hour before the event began, Heidi fell and tore her ACL, partially tore her MCL, partially tore her meniscus and broke her femur bone. Heidi was ranked second in the U.S and fourth in the world entering the competition.
Heidi told us that she felt a wealth of emotions as she lay waiting for U.S. Ski Team doctors and coaches to come help her. As tough as the situation was, Heidi knew that her return to the Winter Olympics in 2018 would serve as “a great inspirational comeback story for the people at home watching the event.” She also wanted to see her mother, and ask her if she would still be considered an Olympian.
Heidi was indeed still considered an Olympian, and with the help of crutches, she walked with the rest of the U.S. Olympic Team in the Opening Ceremonies. She says the experience went a long way towards boosting her spirits in a tough time.
Heidi knows she is still in the early stages of her comeback, but her attitude is clearly positive and focused, with an end goal in sight–competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Heidi advises our young athletes who are facing injuries or other setbacks to “just keep doing what the medical personnel tell you to do, because they’re looking out for you and they know how to help you.” She adds that a comeback from injury is “one of the hardest things…but will be worth it.” She says she will “always work hard, because hard work really does pay off.”
To read the full Take 5 interview with Heidi, visit ResponsibleSports.com. Come back next month for another exclusive Take 5 interview!
At Liberty Mutual Insurance, we constantly look for ways to celebrate the countless acts of responsibility shown by people every day. We created Responsible Sports, powered by Positive Coaching Alliance, as part of this belief to help ensure that our kids experience the best that sports have to offer in environments that promote and display responsibility. We believe kids can learn valuable life lessons when coaches and parents come together to support winning on and off the field. Join the Responsible Sports movement!
©2014 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Positive Coaching Alliance. All rights reserved. This material may not be distributed without express written permission. Any reproduction in whole or part by and individuals or organizations will be held liable for copyright infringement to the full extent of the law.
