zoe zogleman

The last 9 months of my life have been a constant battle of confusion and frustration. It has lead me with so many questions I can’t find myself to answer. On May 30th, 2023 I tore my ACL for the first time and got surgery July 12th, 2023. When you tear your ACL all you hear is that you are out for 9-12 months, and that time has been taken away from you. That long of a recovery was not my mindset and I ended up getting fully cleared at 6 months post op. I have been tumbling for the last 2 months and I went to double again and retore my ACL, and my meniscus ended up flipping and tearing as well. Hearing my surgeon say I might need 2 surgeries this time, was definitely words I was not expecting to hear. This happened on February 14th, 2024. I know that this being the 2nd time going into surgery and recovery, I am going to have to think long and hard about my goals and recovery process. The recovery is going to be a lot longer and will be a much bigger battle. If you know me then you know that I am willing to take any battle, no matter what outcome. Before tearing my ACL summer of 2023, I was the best I had ever been at the sport that I love the most. Why this is happening to me again and why now is a question I will never be able to answer. Knowing I was the best I had been before my injury it leaves me thinking things like: “Will I ever be as good as I was?” I have been cheering for 13 years. 13 years of my life that cheerleading is all I have known. Knowing that I’ve already had 1 recovery process, and I have a year longer of recovery this time is definitely the hardest words I have ever had to hear. What people don’t tell you after tearing your ACL is to prepare for the long battle ahead and the toll that this injury takes on your mind and mental health. I’m going to be honest it’s hard but it’s nothing that I can’t get through. “Stay focused, and trust the process.” “Everything happens for a reason.” “Gods timing, not mine.” These are going to be my quotes of inspiration this next year. I will be documenting my journey and please wish me luck going into surgery!