UNBROKEN- a disc golf injury recovery story ft. Paige Pierce

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Published 2023-11-27

I’ve been a disc golf competitor my whole life. I’ve never had an injury or even gone to the hospital so when I broke my ankle in July it was devastating to know that I’d be missing out on tournaments and the life that I created out touring on the road. I’ve had a lot of realizations in the past 5 months since my injury and we felt that this “mini-documentary” was a good avenue to share my journey and my thoughts. This whole recovery has been such a process of shifting my perspectives and just recognizing how grateful I am to be able to do the big and small tasks. It’s an attitude shift from “I HAVE TO” to “I GET TO”. I hope by sharing my story it helps someone else get through a hard time you might be facing.

A huge thank you goes out to the whole Idio team for helping me share my story with y’all- you can find my new ‪@idiosports‬ disc golf shoe at: idiosports.com/en-ca in the color Shattered Skyline.

I’m so excited to keep the recovery going all while rocking my new Idios, hope to see y’all at a tournament in 2024!

Thank you to Team Playback www.teamplayback.com/ for helping with the filming and editing of this documentary!

All Comments (21)

@mr_walker_chris 7 months ago

As an Amputee finding disc golf was amazing for me. Not easy by any means but I am figuring it out. I am proud of you for staying positive and pushing through! You are an inspiration to the game!
@fmilton20 21 days ago

Congrats on your Portland Open 2024 win yesterday, Paige. You played phenomenally and deserved it. Way to overcome!
@jcjcjones33 7 months ago

I love hearing an update from you personally! Myself and so many people are cheering for you. Heal up the RIGHT way, keep putting the work in, and I look forward to seeing you play next year. Cheers Paige!
@travisfinucane 7 months ago

PP 2.0 is going to shred. Thanks for sharing your recovery video.
@Jason-Moon 7 months ago

Paige you're an absolute Legend in our sport. One of my heroes and I was so happy to meet you after a few pro tourneys. I've learned a lot from studying your form. Good healing to you and I look forward to seeing you salute the basket again with your signature overhead disc flourish before you drain a long putt!
@AIKIDOSILVERDALE 7 months ago

All the best from New Zealand. looking forwards to seeing you back in action, the games is better with you in it.
@user-zt9ne3zc3s 6 months ago

Paige, I suffered a broken and dislocated ankle when in my mid-late 20's during a snowball fight of all things. The doctor said it was the worst injury that he had seen after doing hundreds of surgeries before me. I only went to therapy once or twice at the hospital, and then on did all my own therapy at home. That is where you make the most progress. I was doing it like 2-3 times per day for months. Still have all the pins + plates + screws + wires still in their and I am now 61 yrs old. your "passion" about doing that will get you back to normal by July / August. These type of injuries just simply take time.
@RoadkillBC 7 months ago

After I broke my arm crashing my OneWheel, you helped inspire me to get into disc golf at age 59 because you were always smiling and having fun. How could anyone watch you play and not want to get in on that? So happy for you and Alyssa, and just remember to let go of the things you can’t control, and live for the moment. Everything else will fall into place. Thanks for being you, looking forward to your return! 🕺🕺🕺
@JeffreyGoddin 7 months ago

Watching the disc fly really is the best, when you feel it all come together. Watching it when you know you were a bit off is the worst but at the same time the best motivator to keep working at it, so you can get that feeling of the sweet spot throw more often. Keep working at it, and you'll get to watch beautiful flights coming out of your hand again soon.
@scootladychicago 7 months ago

wishing you the speediest of recoveries and rehab. nothing is worse than when your body is injured/hurting and you can't do what you love. i have garbage knees, i've done so much to make them usable-ish (but always hurting), so i can really relate to being sidelined from even picking up the dog poop. really getting into dg since being re-intro'd to it over the summer. and you are an inspiration. hoping to see you back on tour as soon as you're ready! 🛴❤
@GH050 7 months ago

I broke my ankle in very similar fashion 12 years ago. It took long time before I could play soccer without thinking how my leg feels. So I can relate, being patient is the key to recovery and at the same time the hardest thing to do. Cheers Paige, you can do it!
@josephfogus6735 21 days ago

I really hurt my back at work and struggle with the pain. When theres days i can play disc golf pain free it really means alot. Your absolutely right a severe injury like yours really puts things in perspective and makes you appreciate what you have and can do. Great video and congratulations to winning the portland open! 🎉
@DiscGolfDom23 7 months ago

Love to see this! You're such a charismatic ambassador for this lovely sport and such a fun person to watch and support and your presence was definitely missed by thousands of fans this year. Come back strong and get that 6th one!
@Hawthorneeffect1 7 months ago

My son and I are huge fans of you. We wish you nothing but the best during this time. Disc golf helped me tremendously after I broke my back in 2014. He is hoping to meet you one day.
@jeffr0426 7 months ago

Can't wait to see you back on the course!! And congratulations to you and Alyssa on the wedding, I am so happy for you two!!!
@karengarcia2091 7 months ago

Take your time. Don't rush. Your health is more important. Congrats on your marriage. Hope to see you back out there soon.
@hb2sami 7 months ago

Thank you for sharing this update and explaining the process and all that happens from injury to rehab and rehabilitation. Thank you for sharing the mental process and how a severe injury affects literally every aspect of your life. I destroyed my knee in an accident that could have been a life ending accident. Shatters both sides of my tibial plateau, shattered the right side of my femoral condyle.. my knee hyperextended, and my ACL completely detached by pulling up the bone that it attaches to inside the knee joint. It was six months before I could even return to my job. It ended my mountain climbing and mountain hunting. It affects me every single day of my life, including at my job. I had to boot, scoot up my stairs to take a bath. I depended on people for so much. One injury can devastate you. The physical part of the injury is one thing, the mental and emotional part I think it’s worse. I hope you fully heal and fully recover. Best wishes! My son got me to DiscGolf just over a year ago. I’m 53 years old. I’m lucky if I can throw 300 feet on a good day. My bodies pretty beat up but I sure enjoy getting a disc in the chains. I’m about it 875 rated player on a good day. Maybe next year I can break 900.
@birgitl4193 7 months ago

Since July I've been thinking how you were doing and have hoped you are confident and your ankle healing well. Yes, an injury makes one appreciate so much what you have or had. Sending my best wishes to you from the other side of the pond 🤞🍀🌻
@BrutilusK9 7 months ago

My two sons (6 & 10) and I send you our best. You and Alyssa are wonderful and lucky to have each other. Stay strong. Stay patient. Remember that your fans are here for you now and will be there when you get back on the course.
@Bneighbors85 7 months ago

Can't wait to see you back in the game. I love your disks and your attitude it has made me a better disk-golfer. I've found patience myself in this sport as well.