Jared Donaldson
September 12, 2024
“I was in constant pain for two and a half, three years. I was so desperate for any other alternative that could have been rewarding, that it was almost a relief to be given the option of retiring and going to school. I think the interesting thing a lot of people say is, “Wow, it must’ve been challenging.” I think the answer to that question is, “Yes and no.” It was not challenging in the sense that I’ve always felt that I’d never had a choice, right? It wasn’t like I had to stop my career because of lack of skill or desire. It was just that I couldn’t physically do it. What really struck me was when I went to college originally and I had to ask for help. I was used to always being very good. When I had to ask for help, it was a weird feeling. That was, I think, the most challenging part of the transition, but I never really felt that it was sad in the sense that I didn’t have a choice. Life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to, and you have to adapt. One thing I try to
“I was in constant pain for two and a half, three years. I was so desperate for any other alternative that could have been rewarding, that it was almost a relief to be given the option of retiring and going to school. I think the interesting thing a lot of people say is, “Wow, it must’ve been challenging.” I think the answer to that question is, “Yes and no.” It was not challenging in the sense that I’ve always felt that I’d never had a choice, right? It wasn’t like I had to stop my career because of lack of skill or desire. It was just that I couldn’t physically do it. What really struck me was when I went to college originally and I had to ask for help. I was used to always being very good. When I had to ask for help, it was a weird feeling. That was, I think, the most challenging part of the transition, but I never really felt that it was sad in the sense that I didn’t have a choice. Life doesn’t always work out the way you want it to, and you have to adapt. One thing I try to