David loved activities like tennis and hiking—until knee pain forced him to stop. He opted for knee replacement surgery, believing it would quickly fix the problem. Nervous about the procedure, he avoided the unsettling details, choosing to focus on recovery rather than the “what ifs.” But nothing prepared him for what came next. The physical pain was tough, but the emotional toll was surprisingly overwhelming. Alone in a new city and without a support network, he wasn’t just battling his body’s limitations—he was hit with waves of anxiety and grief he couldn’t explain.

As weeks passed, the weight of recovery only grew. Surgery had unearthed emotions he hadn’t anticipated, triggering past traumas and leaving him mentally drained. Even as physical therapy helped his knee improve, unexpected emotional breakdowns made him feel lost and unprepared.Painkillers blurred his thoughts, making it even harder to cope.

Looking back, David realized how much of a difference coaching could have made.

“If I’d had a coach to talk to weekly—or even more frequently—I wouldn’t have felt so alone. Those check-ins would have given me a space to process the intense emotions and the encouragement to stay committed to my recovery.” Ongoing support during those critical first months would have kept him on track with physical therapy and provided the emotional resilience needed for the ups and downs of healing.

“If I had had a coach before surgery, I would have been more mentally prepared. I would have understood the emotional impact and been ready for it. That alone would have been invaluable.”

Today, 2.5 years later, David is satisfied with his recovery—he has no pain, and nothing is holding him back—but his body hasn’t fully forgotten the surgery. Stiffness and nerve numbness require ongoing care. “I wish I had known how much recovery involved—not just physical therapy, but mindset, emotional integration, and rebuilding strength in the right way. If I had approached it holistically, I might feel even stronger today.”

Having a post-surgery guide can make all the difference. Regular check-ins, personalized movement sessions, and emotional support are crucial, especially in the first few months. “The first three months of therapy were more critical than I realized,” David says. “A coach could have helped me navigate the toughest moments and kept me on track when things felt overwhelming.” Finding the right team of physical therapists is key to a smoother recovery, and once PT ends, a skilled personal trainer can help rebuild strength and restore confidence in movement.

**Shared with permission from David Baillie