How My Athletic Staff Helped Me Navigate POTS, And Why Support Matters

When I first started experiencing symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) as a collegiate athlete, I felt like my body had suddenly turned against me. Workouts that used to feel easy became overwhelming. Standing up made my heart race. Recovery felt impossible. And even though I was surrounded by teammates and coaches, I often felt alone inside an experience that no one could quite understand.

But despite that uncertainty, one thing made all the difference: my athletic staff showed up for me.

A Journey of Trial and Error

When I was first diagnosed, none of us had a blueprint for how to manage POTS within the context of collegiate training. There weren't established protocols. There weren’t step-by-step guides. Everything we did was based on communication, observation, and a lot of trial and error.

My trainers and coaches were patient as we tested different strategies. Modified workouts, longer recovery times, changes in how I warmed up, and sometimes complete rest days when my body demanded it. Nothing worked perfectly at first. Some days were victories; others were setbacks. But they kept working with me, adjusting, learning, and most importantly, listening.

And in a condition like POTS, where symptoms are unpredictable and every athlete is different, that willingness to experiment and adapt is truly invaluable.

Being Supported Made All the Difference

Looking back now, especially as someone who has rebuilt their strength and gone on to compete at the IRONMAN World Championship, I can say confidently that I would not be where I am today without the support of my athletic staff.

They helped me understand that I wasn’t “weak,” “dramatic,” or “out of shape.” I was dealing with a real medical condition that required real adjustments, and they respected that. Their openness gave me the space to learn what my body needed and to slowly rebuild my confidence as an athlete.

Not Everyone Gets This Kind of Support, And That Needs to Change

As I’ve continued my work through Embrace It, I’ve met so many student-athletes who haven’t received the same understanding I was lucky to have. Many schools simply don’t know how to accommodate students with POTS or other forms of dysautonomia. Some athletes are dismissed, misunderstood, or pushed beyond what their bodies can safely handle.

And that breaks my heart, because I know firsthand how life-changing it is to have staff who are willing to learn, adapt, and support you.

Why I Do This Work

My experience inspired me to help fill that gap. No athlete should feel alone, confused, or unsupported simply because their condition isn’t widely understood. Schools can help, they just need the right knowledge and tools.

My athletic staff didn’t have the answers at first, but they cared enough to learn. And that made all the difference.

I am forever grateful for the way my school accommodated me, especially in moments when I didn’t even know what I needed. My hope is that, through education and awareness, more athletes across the country can have the same experience or better.

Because when athletes with POTS are supported, believed, and given the chance to understand their bodies, they can achieve far more than they ever thought possible.