In a world where being fast and pushing through exhaustion is everything, the slow down after a brain injury is especially jarring. Hannah Halvorsen, professional ski racer on the US Cross Country Ski Team, joins us to share what brain injury has taught her. Take a listen to our talk on how awareness, acceptance, appreciation, kindness, support, and gratitude have all culminated to make this athlete a true star!   In this episode:Hannah’s StoryHit by a car when crossing the street in November 2019Suffered a subdural hematoma and knee injuryHer knee, the visible injury, slowed her down from jumping right back into skiing.  This was a blessing in disguise as it slowed her down from pushing too hard with her brain injury. Some of her brain injury symptoms were much more vague and would leave her wondering if it was just her being lazy or over sensitiveSome lessons:As soon as you start to feel tired, just stopAs a high level athlete you are trained to push through fatigue, pain, and exhaustion--that’s what gives you an edge.  With a brain injury you have to adjust and learn to listen to yourself Returning to skiingHer coach understood that she needed to take it slow and helped her train at a safe pace The knee’s rehab was cut and dry with tangible protocols to follow.  Brain recovery requires so much more awareness since others can’t see what is happening.  We aren’t trained to have awareness of our brain function so when changes occur it is easy for us to judge ourselves as being personal failuresWhen she could admit that there was depression and accept it as a result of her brain injury it helped lessen her personal burden“Everything is going great,” but she didn’t feel great.  That can lead to feeling ungrateful because everyone perceives you as being an inspiration but you don’t feel that way.  Everyone’s support is amazing but it doesn’t take away the depression and can feel extra heavy. Being a professional athlete means there are many resources for recovery.  Like most things in life you have to go get it. Through the recovery process, Hannah has learned to assess what the resources are and how to ask for them.  Asking for and accepting help can be really hard to do but is a crucial skill especially in recovery Gratitude For having health insurance and access to careFor having strong support systemsFor all the people that have helpedFor inter-reliance and the loving support of others.  Lessons from recoveryBecoming more aware of how you treat yourself allows you to better treat others.  Getting help when you are struggling helps to fill you back up. You are not alone, there is helpIt takes a team to recover. Gratitude for physical abilities that were easy to take for granted prior to the injuryAn ability to appreciate things even if they aren’t perfectAppreciate what you can do today.  Celebrate what you did rather than focusing on what you couldn’t do.  A new appreciation for health without picking on every little thing about your body. It was a time to reset thinking.  It’s not about denying yourself your goals.  It’s about accepting where you are and working towards...

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