Athlete Interview: Taylor Tan
Meet Taylor Tan, a Senior at San Marino High School and wrestling prodigy, who shares his journey after tearing his ACL last June and how his life off the wrestling mat has been since then, both physically and mentally. Tan wrestled for the Titan Mercury Club and San Marino High before his injury, notably being one of the top wrestlers not only in the state but in the country. His journey is truly amazing and the lessons in it truly represent the perspective of athletes who face critical injuries.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey in the world of wrestling?
I’ve been wrestling for about 4 years. I started my grappling journey through competing nationally and internationally in judo, where I became a State and National champion and would qualify for multiple national teams.
Walk us through the moment you tore your ACL. What was going through your mind at that time, and how did it happen?
Tearing my ACL and meniscus was easily the most painful experience of my life. It was the first round of the Fargo National Championships, and I felt very confident in my training leading up to the big day. In my match, I took a step and felt my knee bend strangely, and I heard my knee pop and tear, creating a horrific sound. At that moment, I felt an excruciating pain, and I tried to maintain my cool because I still wanted to continue competing, given all the sacrifices I had made in my preparation. After the trainer checked my knee on the mat, she had me stand up and perform basic walking and jumping because she thought I had no torn ligaments, and before I could even get off the ground to jump, my knee popped out again. By this point, I knew I was seriously hurt and would not be able to compete, but I did not know the severity of the injury until later on.
What were your immediate thoughts and emotions when you received the diagnosis of a torn ACL? How did it impact your mindset?
I was heartbroken. Realizing that the lengthy recovery process (9-12 months) would take away my chances of wrestling my Senior year and harm my recruiting chances, my mental health drastically declined. I worked diligently and sacrificed a major portion of my life the past few years just for all my hard work to amount to seemingly nothing.
Share some insights into your rehabilitation process. What specific challenges did you face, and how did you stay motivated throughout the recovery?
The slow rate of recovery took some time to get used to. The days feel long, but in the grand scheme of my recovery, the months have gone by fast. The hardest part of the process was the initial month, working hard to gain back strength in my legs. My quad muscles were basically non-existent and I could not flex them for the first 2 weeks, so it took disciplined strengthening and electrical stimulation to get my muscles firing off like they used to.
Who has been your biggest support during this challenging period? How have your coaches, teammates, and family played a role in your recovery?
My biggest support has been my family and of course my physical therapist. All the people I surround myself with have been supportive and understanding through the whole process, and I could not be more grateful to everyone.
Dealing with a significant injury like a torn ACL requires mental resilience. How did you maintain a positive mindset and stay focused on your goals during the recovery process?
I keep reminding myself that this injury will be a minuscule part of my life in the long run, and will pass sooner than I expect. I continue to keep my goal of getting back on the mat in my mind, and it has helped me work through my recovery process with a positive mindset. I have started to truly enjoy the process and appreciate the small wins and each step of my recovery journey.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals in wrestling? How has this experience influenced your approach to the sport, your overall perspective on athletic endeavors, and what the future holds for you?
My next aspiration is to wrestle in college and become a coach in the future. Taking a step back from competing myself has helped me find a new love for the sport and all the intricacies of competition, both physically and mentally. Although I would love to step out on the mat myself, I have found a passion for coaching and I have been able to continue to grow within the sport by teaching others.