As I headed into the first week of July, I realized something had changed.
I wasn't focused on simply getting through each day anymore.
I was starting to think about what life would look like beyond recovery.
One Goal: Better Sleep
If there was one thing still holding me back, it wasn't my hip.
It was my sleep.
By now, I had made it back into my own bed, but I still wasn't sleeping well. Every time I rolled over, muscle spasms would wake me up. Night after night, I was getting just enough rest to function, but never enough to truly feel recovered.
That made this week especially exciting.
My new adjustable bed was finally being delivered.
It may sound funny to get excited about a bed, but after weeks of interrupted sleep, it felt like Christmas morning.
The first night?
It was the best sleep I'd had since surgery.
Has every night been perfect since then?
No.
But that first night reminded me just how much good sleep matters when your body is trying to heal.
Graduating from Physical Therapy
This week also marked another milestone.
I graduated from physical therapy.
Before my final appointment, I asked my therapist about the tightness I was still feeling—from my lower back all the way down to my ankles. My hip felt stronger, but everything around it still felt stiff from weeks of compensating.
He walked me through mobility exercises I could continue doing on my own and told me something I was proud to hear.
I didn't need physical therapy anymore.
Knowing I could always come back if I needed to was reassuring, but walking out of that clinic for the last time felt like another big step forward.
Putting It to the Test
Every year at CrossFit 4042, we celebrate Independence Day with our "Christmas in July" workout.
It's one of my favorite workouts of the year.
Long.
Challenging.
And always a lot of fun.
I knew I'd have to modify several movements, but I also knew I wanted to participate.
Instead of running, I chose the bike.
Everything else I adjusted as needed.
The biggest challenge wasn't the workout itself.
It was deciding whether I was ready to try kipping pull-ups again.
I'd been nervous about using my hip to generate that movement.
After thinking about it—and listening to my body—I decided to give a few a try.
Not many.
Just enough.
And they felt...good.
Not perfect.
But possible.
That little moment gave me confidence that I'd been missing.
Feeling Like an Athlete Again
By the end of that workout, I was exhausted.
Sweaty.
Tired.
And incredibly happy.
For the first time since surgery, I felt less like a patient and more like an athlete again.
That feeling stayed with me throughout the Fourth of July weekend.
We walked to watch fireworks, spent time with family, and one of my neighbors commented on how well I was walking.
Sometimes other people notice your progress before you do.
Hearing those words reminded me just how far I'd come in only a couple of months.
Looking Back
This week wasn't about breaking records.
It was about rebuilding confidence.
I graduated from physical therapy.
I slept through the night.
I tackled a workout I'd been looking forward to.
Most importantly, I stopped wondering if I'd get back to the things I loved.
I started believing I would.
Coach's Take
As coaches, we often remind people that confidence doesn't come before action—it comes because of it.
Every small movement I was willing to try built a little more trust in my body.
That's true in recovery, and it's true in life.
What I Wish I'd Known
- Recovery isn't over when physical therapy ends.
- Sleep is just as important as strength.
- Confidence grows one successful movement at a time.
- Don't be afraid to test your limits—just do it wisely and listen to your body.
Next Week: Recovery starts feeling less like rehabilitation and more like training again as I continue building strength, confidence, and trust in my new hip.
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