Returning From Injury Psychology

Overview → The Superstar → Session Notes
Session Notes The Superstar
Addressing:

Identity Crisis

The existential disruption when sport has defined who you are, and injury removes that identity. Many athletes experience negative cognitive appraisals about their worth and future during extended rehabilitation phases.

How The Superstar Can Overcome Identity Crisis During Injury Recovery

Posted on December 13, 2025 ~ min read
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For: The Superstar athletes in Returning From Injury
Focus: Session Notes - Identity Crisis
Read Time: ~9 min
Session Notes December 13, 2025
Profile: The Superstar
Sport: Returning From Injury
Challenge: Identity Crisis

In injury rehabilitation, identity crisis is the psychological fracture that occurs when sport has defined who you are, and that foundation suddenly disappears. For externally motivated, opponent-focused athletes, this hits differently. Your sense of self was built on victories, rankings, and the recognition that came from being the player everyone watched. Now you're watching from the sidelines.

Standard advice tells injured athletes to "find other interests" or "remember you're more than your sport." That sounds reasonable. It also completely misses what's actually happening inside your head. You built your identity through external validation and competitive success. Telling you to suddenly find internal peace is like asking someone to speak a language they never learned.

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Vladimir Novkov

M.A. Social Psychology | ISSA Elite Trainer | Expert in Sport Psychology for Athlete Development

My mission is to bridge the gap between mind and body, helping athletes and performers achieve a state of synergy where peak performance becomes a natural outcome of who they are.

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