Wisdom Wednesday: Overcoming Injuries with Coach Angelo

This week’s Wisdom Wednesday features Coach Angelo, sharing his perspective on how athletes can stay mentally strong, continue improving, and remain part of the team while recovering from injury.

Injuries are never easy—but how you respond to them can shape the kind of athlete and teammate you become.

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Staying Connected During Recovery
Coach Angelo knows from experience that recovering from an injury can feel isolating—but it doesn’t have to be.

“I like to keep injured players as involved as possible without putting stress on the injury,” he says. “It helps them stay connected to the sport they love and keeps their confidence up for when they’re ready to return.”

Whether it’s shagging balls, helping during drills, watching film, or staying vocal on the sidelines, Angelo believes staying mentally engaged can make a huge difference in both recovery and readiness.

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Growth Doesn't Stop During Injury
After undergoing knee surgery himself, Angelo learned how powerful it is to work on what you can control—even when your body is limited.

“I knew I wasn’t going to be mobile or playing for a while, but I didn’t want to just wait around. I focused on my hands for setting and receiving and worked on my passing,” he explains.

When he returned to the court, he noticed his hitting wasn’t fully back—but his defense and serve receive had improved significantly.

“Keep striving to be better even when you’re not at your best,” Angelo says. “You’re still an athlete—even in recovery.”

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The Importance of Team Support
According to Angelo, how the team responds to an injured teammate is just as important as the athlete’s own mindset.

“Your team should be there to cover for you on the court, but also to include you off the court,” he says. “Talk to them, joke around, make sure they know they’re still part of it—even if they’re not playing.”

That connection, that sense of belonging, can be a game-changer for someone who's feeling sidelined.

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Join us in celebrating Coach Angelo and his message to every athlete facing an injury:
You can still grow. You can still lead. You can still compete.

Recovery is part of the journey—and you're never in it alone.