Chapter 71: The New Approach

The rhythmic sound of Rohan's footsteps echoed in the stillness of the track, the early morning air crisp and cool against his skin. He had always been an early riser, but there was a newfound intensity in his training now. His injury had changed him, forcing him to rethink not just his physical approach to running, but his mental one as well. It was no longer enough to simply push his body to its limits—he needed to train smarter, not just harder.

After his recent races, Rohan knew that while he was improving, he wasn't yet at his best. The victories were important milestones, but they had also exposed gaps in his current fitness level and mindset. He wasn't as sharp, mentally, as he used to be. His fear of reinjury, the psychological barriers he hadn't fully addressed, still lingered in the back of his mind. He needed to face those fears head-on if he was going to make a complete comeback.

That's why, for the first time in his career, Rohan had agreed to work with a sports psychologist. Ms. Mehra had suggested it during one of their post-race debriefs, her usual pragmatic tone softened by genuine concern.

"You've done a tremendous job physically," she had said, "but you're still holding back. You're afraid of pushing too hard, and that's slowing your progress. It's not just about the physical injury anymore—it's your mind that needs healing."

At first, Rohan had been reluctant. He had always prided himself on his mental toughness, on his ability to push through pain and adversity. But he couldn't deny that since the injury, something had shifted. The confidence he had once had, the unshakable belief in his body's ability to perform, had been fractured. He needed to rebuild that part of himself, too.

That morning, after his run, Rohan wiped the sweat from his face and glanced at his watch. He had pushed through a solid session of interval sprints, focusing on maintaining efficient form and staying relaxed even at high speeds. Efficiency was the key now. He couldn't afford to waste energy, and with the guidance of Ms. Mehra and his physiotherapist Rajiv, he was learning how to maximize every movement.

But the real challenge was ahead.

Rohan had his first session with the sports psychologist later that day. He didn't know what to expect, but a part of him hoped that it would unlock the mental barriers that still held him back.

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The sports psychologist, Dr. Sunil Kapoor, greeted Rohan with a calm, measured smile when he arrived at the clinic. The office was simple—no distractions, no unnecessary décor. Just a few chairs, a desk, and an open window that let in the soft afternoon light.

"Rohan," Dr. Kapoor said, shaking his hand. "Good to meet you. Please, take a seat."

Rohan sat down, feeling a little out of place. He was used to the sweat and grind of the track, the physical exhaustion that came with pushing his body to its limits. This—sitting in an office, talking about his emotions—felt foreign to him.

Dr. Kapoor seemed to sense his discomfort. "I understand this might feel a bit different for you," he said, sitting across from Rohan. "But mental strength is just as important as physical strength in an athlete's career. Sometimes, we think we can push through everything with sheer willpower, but the mind needs training just as much as the body."

Rohan nodded, still unsure how to begin. "Yeah, I get that. I've always been mentally tough. But… ever since my injury, things haven't felt the same. I'm back on the track, but I'm holding back. I'm afraid of pushing too hard, of getting hurt again."

Dr. Kapoor leaned back in his chair, listening intently. "That's perfectly natural. An injury like yours doesn't just heal the body—it leaves an imprint on the mind. It's like a shadow that follows you, reminding you of what happened and making you second-guess yourself. My job is to help you move past that, to teach you how to manage that fear and turn it into something productive."

Rohan shifted in his seat, intrigued but still cautious. "How do we do that?"

Dr. Kapoor smiled slightly. "It's a process. We'll start by talking about the injury itself—what happened, how it felt, and how it's affecting you now. Then, we'll work on techniques to strengthen your mental resilience—visualization, mindfulness, and reframing negative thoughts. It's not about eliminating fear, Rohan. It's about learning how to manage it."

Rohan nodded, his skepticism starting to fade. He knew he needed this. The fear of reinjury had been holding him back in ways he hadn't fully acknowledged. Every time he pushed his body to the limit, a voice in the back of his head whispered that something could go wrong again. He had to silence that voice.

For the next hour, Rohan talked about the injury in a way he never had before. He described the moment his hamstring had torn, the searing pain that had shot through his leg, and the crushing realization that his career might be over. He spoke about the endless months of rehabilitation, the frustration of not being able to run, and the slow, painful process of rebuilding his strength.

Dr. Kapoor listened carefully, occasionally asking questions but mostly allowing Rohan to work through his emotions. By the end of the session, Rohan felt a strange sense of relief. He hadn't realized how much he had been carrying, how much fear and anxiety had been weighing him down.

"You've taken an important first step today," Dr. Kapoor said as they wrapped up the session. "Acknowledging the fear is the first step toward overcoming it. Now we'll focus on training your mind to handle the pressure of competition without letting that fear control you."

Rohan left the office feeling lighter, though he knew there was still much work to do. He had faced physical pain before, but this was a different kind of challenge—a battle within his own mind.