After ACL Surgery: What Recovery Really Looks Like

Written By Stephanie Vorpahl

Listen to the Full Episode:

Recovery isn’t linear and it definitely isn’t fast.

In this episode, I reflect on my two-year journey after ACL surgery, from the initial injury and diagnosis to surgery, rehab, and finally returning to full life. I share what helped me stay mentally strong, why comparison can derail healing, and how discipline and consistency quietly compound over time.

This is not medical advice, it’s lived experience. My hope is that this episode reminds you that you’re not behind, and that steady effort always counts.

In this episode:

  • The early days after injury and surgery

  • Navigating work, life, and identity during recovery

  • What the first year really feels like

  • Why year two is where things finally clicked

  • Lessons on patience, trust, and long-term growth

Whether you’re rehabbing an injury or rebuilding a part of your life, this episode is a reminder that showing up matters.

Stephanie Vorpahl
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