From "You'll never run again" to "stronger than ever"

Hi, I’m Travis — the newest physio on the team. I wanted to share a personal story about injury, recovery, and the importance of trusting the process. It's a story about perseverance, listening to your body, and learning the hard way that sometimes, patience really is power.

A Bit About Me

I’m 28 years old and have been playing basketball since I was four — much to the surprise of those who thought my mum was mad for buying a toddler a basketball hoop. While I never went pro, the sport has given me a lifetime of enjoyment and shaped who I am today.

Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of injuries, like most athletes. But until recently, nothing had ever truly threatened my ability to keep playing competitively.

The Injury

In August 2024, an awkward bump and an even worse leg position resulted in a lateral meniscus injury. With the support of Stacey and Thomas, we opted for a conservative rehab approach, aiming for a full recovery. Things were going well — I was 12 weeks in and feeling stronger, inching closer to getting back on the court.

But then I made a mistake.

The Setback

Despite knowing I wasn’t ready, I convinced myself I could push through finals. I strapped my knee and stepped onto the court, telling myself I’d return to proper rehab after two more weeks.

Fifteen minutes in, the inevitable happened. I re-injured the same knee — and this time, it took much less force. That was the red flag. Clearly, my body wasn’t ready, and this misstep likely caused further damage.

After some honest reflection, I decided to get an MRI. The results weren’t great: a radial tear in my lateral meniscus, full-thickness cartilage loss on my lateral femoral condyle, and subchondral bone changes. In simpler terms: the cushioning in my knee was torn, the cartilage on my thigh bone was severely worn, and the underlying bone had also taken a hit.

The News No Athlete Wants to Hear

The doctor told me I should never run again. No more sport. No heavy lifting. Basically, “find a new hobby.”

That news hit hard. Exercise has always been my therapy — being told to give it up felt like being told to stop breathing.

Choosing to Fight

Still, I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. I opted for surgery to trim the torn meniscus and did everything I could in the meantime to maintain strength and function in my knee.

The operation went smoothly, but the post-op message was the same: no running, no heavy loads, no return to sport.

But it didn’t sit right with me — not just emotionally, but logically. As a physio and a lifelong mover, I’d seen what’s possible with the right rehab. I wasn’t aiming for elite competition, but I knew I could still return to the court in some capacity.

The Comeback

Beck took the reins on my rehab, and three months post-op, the progress has been incredible. I’m now:

• Squatting 140kg, deadlifting 160kg

• Running 2km twice a week

• Shooting casually on the basketball court

• Reintroducing weighted jumping and landing

And most importantly — my knee feels stronger than it did before the injury.

What once felt like a distant dream — returning to basketball — is now a very real possibility.

Trust the Process

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: trust the process. Back yourself. Surround yourself with a team who believes in your goals. Progress is rarely linear, and yes, setbacks happen — but with consistency, curiosity, and a bit of stubborn determination, you can achieve more than you might think.

In rehab, as in life, perseverance pays off.