Rebuilding from Broken — Twice
Benjamen Baron
The first photo is from 2023, after losing much of my fitness from significant injury. The second is from the last week in December of 2024.
Note: For context, I posted the below article early January of 2025 on my social. I thought I would share it here as well.
Rebuilding From Broken — Twice
I don’t typically share things like this, and I rarely post the kind of photos you see here, but with the context and timing, it feels worth putting out there.
About three years ago, at 39, I sustained a significant foot injury from rock climbing, forcing me to relearn how to walk. The injury had a global effect that was compounded by a climbing related hand injury — which in combination — destabilized older injuries. The prolonged imbalance of being on one leg prevented me from interacting with the world normally, pulling me back into the injury cycle — my foot being the primary crux. Ultimately, this led to a period of recovery and recalibration.
It was the second time in just over a decade I found myself having to rebuild — my motorcycle accident being the first at 28 — so I knew the road ahead wasn’t going to be easy but understood the process and had most of the tools. Of course, I had to fill in the gaps of things I had overlooked or did not yet know. Learning has always been something I’ve valued.
As challenging as both experiences were, the perspective and insight they gave me have been invaluable. Few things dismantle the ego like serious injury — at least in my experience. Over time, these setbacks became gifts, not unlike my stuttering. The process of healing and working through these challenges has not only humbled me, but has deepened my understanding and given me greater insight to better help others in my work and my life.
There’s still more work to be done and there always will be, but I think it’s important to pause, reflect, and share just in case it resonates with anyone facing their own uphill climb heading into the New Year.
Keep going.
