Injured vs. Hurt — Know the Difference

One thing I see all the time — athletes who don’t know the difference between being hurt and being injured. And trust me, there’s a big difference.

Being hurt means you might be sore, banged up, or feeling some discomfort. That’s part of the game. You’re not going to feel 100% every day, and if you’re waiting for the “perfect” day to practice, you’ll never get better. Being hurt is not an excuse to sit out, skip reps, or shut it down. It’s an opportunity to push through, adapt, and show that you can handle adversity.

Being injured, on the other hand, means something is actually wrong to the point where continuing to play or train could make it worse. If that’s the case, you need to be proactive — see the trainer, follow your rehab plan, communicate with your coach, and do everything you can to get back on the field or court. Don’t just say you’re injured and disappear. Don’t let weeks go by without putting in the work to recover.

Bottom line — soreness, bruises, and bumps are part of being an athlete. That’s being hurt. Play through it. But if you’re truly injured, take it seriously and attack your recovery the same way you attack your training. Either way, the mindset stays the same: do what it takes to get better and keep moving forward.