Three Injuries. Three Journeys. Three Comebacks: with Avery VanDellen, Brandon Berry & Collin Roelofs

The 29/1

A sports injury to end your season, and maybe take away your sport forever. It's the devastating news no athlete ever wants to hear. Depression, sadness and anger are all part of the process, isolation and doubt show up too.

In this episode, we are blessed to have Avery VanDellen, Brandon Berry and Collin Roelofs all come on The 29/1 and simply tell the truth, sharing their experience with you, the greater West Ottawa, and greater sports community.

These three West Ottawa High School Seniors open up about the hurdles they've faced, from torn ligaments and tendons, to surgeries, rehab and the emotional toll of time spent off the field. Their stories are not just tales of recovery, but of rediscovering purpose and community support in the face of adversity.

With everything they've gone through, they also share a light spirit and optimistic outlook toward the future. They share what they've learned, they detail their comeback and in the end, provide us all with the permission to feel the pain of loss, share it those around you, and when the time comes, move forward with determination and grit.

This episode was recorded on February 18, 2025.

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Podcasts now dropping at 5pm every Sunday evening for that late weekend chill, or listen Monday AM during that morning commute or workout. Please like, follow, subscribe, or leave a review. Even share with someone who might like to listen. Thanks for taking the time to get to know each other a little bit better. The people who make West Ottawa Athletics what it is. Go WO!
Special thanks to Laura Veldhof Photography.

Chapters

1. Intro & Welcome to Avery VanDellen, Brandon Berry & Collin Roelofs (00:00:00)

2. Avery Crosses Over Kids, Brandon Comes to WO In 7th Grade & Gets After It, Collin Starts Throwing No-No's (00:03:28)

3. The Injuries, Bill Sees Brandon's, Hearing About Collin's & Avery's (00:10:49)

4. Collin's Arm Hits The Breaking Point - 6 Days A Week, A 1000 Pitches, Tingles, Loss Of Velocity, Comerica Park, UCL Surgery (00:13:11)

5. Avery Twists Her Knee In AAU - Shoved From Behind, Anger & Regret, Maybe I'm Ok? MRI, ACL Surgery (00:17:04)

6. Brandon Feels A Pop, My Baby's Being A Baby, Carted Off, ER Visit, Season Likely Over (00:20:32)

7. The Moment Alone (00:23:46)

8. Brandon Doesn't Want To Be There, Loss Of Identity, Then Listens To A Coach's Advice (00:26:47)

9. Something Bad & Something Good, Community Support, Isolation Begins & The Day-To-Day (00:28:50)

10. Bingeing TV Shows - Adam Sandler, Breaking Bad, Grey's Anatomy, Shameless and ...... (00:35:01)

11. Taking Advantage Of The Situation LOL (00:37:06)

12. Brandon Returns Early, A JV Conference Meet High Jump Record & PR, Huh? (00:38:57)

13. Collin Gets To Hit & Throw, Avery Gets To Move & Shoot, Eric Hamilton & Rehab For Performance, Brandon Works Out With WO Trainers (00:40:16)

14. Being With The Team, Supporting Others, The Joy Of Return, Brandon Going For School Record (00:45:14)

15. Avery Senior Night Start, A Three? Collin Plays In Fall League, Spring Season Upon Us (00:50:29)

16. Short Term Taken Away, Long Term Was Not, Post West Ottawa Plans (00:55:10)

17. Shout Outs & Advice to the Injured, Social Media, Telling the Truth (01:01:35)

18. Shout Out to Jayla Means, Having A Person There For You, Thanks (01:05:43)