📬 The Comeback Report

Edition 024

📍 Where I am Right Now

I have a confession. I’ve been sending you AI-written content for months because I was afraid to show up as myself and share my real pain. That ends today.

I’m in the middle of my own serious comeback right now — I am training for the Houston Marathon (January 11th), building The Comeback Lab, and learning about resilience when life seems uncertain.

📖 This Week’s Story

I strained my calf three weeks while training. I was sick, wasn’t sleeping well, and kept pushing myself. For the first time in decades, I actually had to stop running in the middle of a session.

After appropriate rest, I returned to running and my calf hurt again. I was scared.

But I didn’t stop running. I slowed down and focused on my form and assured myself that my body was adjusting. The calf was fine. The fear was the actual problem.

This is kinesiophobia — the clinical term for fear of movement after injury. Your body may be healed, but the brain is saying otherwise.

The term doesn’t just apply to running. It can be used for coming back to anything after you’ve suffered a loss. You might be faced with the choice of moving forward even though you’re scared.

That’s the moment when you’re comeback begins.

đź’ˇThe Lesson

Comeback isn’t about being 100%. It’s about getting on with your life and challenging yourself when you feel you’re 70%, but knowing that the process will make up the gap.

Your mind and body need something to rely on when you don’t think you’re ready. Confidence sounds nice, but it’s hard to gain it without the proof.

You have to move your way through the gap to find confidence.

⚡️One Thing to Try This Week

Pick one thing you’ve been avoiding this week because you’re afraid of failing or getting hurt again.

Do it this week. Embrace the imperfection, but celebrate the action.

Notice what is actual risk, and what is just fear.

-Phillip Williams, MD

Founder, The Comeback Lab

P.S. What movement are you avoiding right now? Physical, professional, personal — doesn’t matter. Hit reply and tell me. I read every email.