The Hidden Gift in Injury: What Pitchers Can Learn When Everything Stops
Injury can feel like the end—but for pitchers like Brannon Snead, it became the beginning of something bigger. In this blog, we look at how being forced to stop gave him space to reflect, reset, and rebuild with purpose. For athletes dealing with setbacks, this perspective shift could be the key to coming back stronger than ever.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
4/27/20252 min read
The Hidden Gift in Injury: What Pitchers Can Learn When Everything Stops
📌 “When you’re forced to stop, you start thinking about everything you never paid attention to before.”
Have you ever looked back on an injury and realized it made you better in some way—physically, mentally, or emotionally?
What did you learn when the game was taken away for a while?
Drop your story in the video comments and help another athlete see their setback differently.
When Everything Slows Down, Awareness Shows Up
In the middle of his bullpen session, Brannon Snead felt something unravel in his elbow. It wasn’t dramatic—but it was decisive. Within moments, he went from locked-in competitor to injured pitcher.
“I threw one pitch, it didn’t feel right. I threw another—and it was way off. Something was wrong.”
That one moment forced a full stop. And with that stillness came something athletes rarely get: perspective.
Pain, Clarity, and the Space to Reflect
Injury pulls athletes out of the chaos—practice, travel, games, pressure—and leaves them with space. At first, it feels like loss. But Brannon realized it could also be a reset.
“I had never been hurt. So I never really stopped to think about why I do what I do. This made me step back and look at the bigger picture.”
That shift allowed him to start asking real questions: – Was he taking care of his body the right way?
– Was his routine based on intention—or just habit?
– Who was he, with or without baseball?
The Setup for a Stronger Comeback
The injury led Brannon to Dr. Steve Jordan and a path of recovery—but it also led him to a mindset most athletes never tap into until their career is over.
By slowing down, he became: – More focused on long-term goals
– More aware of his workload and mechanics
– More mentally resilient
– More connected to why he plays—not just how
“In some ways, the injury helped me grow more than any coach or season ever had.”
Key Takeaways
✅ Injury creates space for awareness and intentional reflection
✅ Setbacks often reveal blind spots athletes never noticed
✅ Recovery time can clarify goals, mindset, and purpose
✅ Mental growth during injury can outpace physical training
✅ A comeback built on clarity is stronger than one built on fear
How Sore to Soaring Helps Athletes Use Setbacks to Grow
At Sore to Soaring, we teach athletes that injury isn’t just something to recover from—it’s something to learn from.
Our programs help players: – Identify lessons in their pain, rehab, and rest
– Develop structure while sidelined
– Build mental tools that prepare them for the next challenge
– Return with a better plan—not just a healthy arm
We don’t waste setbacks—we use them as fuel.
Support our mission at:
www.SoreToSoaring.org
Watch Brannon Snead’s full injury story on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/DeRstECnsQ8
Disclaimer:
This episode is for informational purposes only. Any mention of a company, product, or business does not constitute an endorsement by Sore to Soaring. Always consult with a qualified physician or healthcare professional before beginning any training program, implementing injury prevention techniques, or making medical decisions related to your health or performance.
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