In this interview Kirsten Alexis from USA speaks out about her ACL injury.

Kirsten Alexis is an endurance athlete, drone photographer, and journalist with a passion for outdoor adventure and wellness. Based in Silicon Valley and Lake Tahoe, CA, her hobbies include hiking, swimming, cycling, high-altitude trekking, cross-country skiing, and paddleboarding. She hopes to share her ACL journey to inspire others to come back stronger with a positive mindset.

I got off the chairlift, and made my way to one of my favorite viewpoints at the resort. It had been a long day of skiing and filming for a local tourism agency, and my friend and I decided we should end the day with a fun run. The lighting was perfect, cast from a filtered partly cloudy sky. We took some photos, and made our way to the run. It was a relatively intermediate run, one we had done many times earlier. The conditions were a bit icy, but I knew this run, and felt comfortable enough to ride down. Having had two previous knee surgeries, I was well aware that I needed to tow the line between playing it safe and challenging myself, something I had a hard time with before.

I hit a few icy spots, and slowed down. The next thing I knew, I got hit from behind, sending me off the run and down a steep section. I barely had time to react, and tumbled down until I could catch myself. I felt a pop, the pop every athlete who’s had an ACL injury knows all too well.

I knew instantly what it was from a previous injury. I also knew that my ski season was over, and that my life would drastically change once again.

A few days earlier, I found myself asking for a change in my life as I sat by the lakeshore on a bluebird day. I was feeling like I needed a catalyst to push me to step into my potential and start being afraid of living the authentic life I have always wanted to. For some time, I had been confused about what I wanted, who I was, and how to make changes. I wanted something to help me change. Maybe I should have been more specific.

I lay on the mountain, looking directly at the sky as I thought about that moment. Ski patrol was on the way, and my mind was racing. What if I never ski again? What if I need surgery? Now what?

Adrenaline dulled the pain, and I fluctuated between taking way too fast about everything and nothing, and sitting in the silence trying to collect my thoughts, control my breath, and stay present. I tried to act strong, and lead with a sense of humor, but I was an absolute wreck inside.

My diagnosis was a completely torn ACL, partially torn meniscus, and fractured tibial plateau. I was placed in an immobilizer brace, and told to rest and start pre-hab for upcoming reconstructive surgery. It would be a long road, but it would be a chance to rebuild myself and get back to activities that I loved the most. The activities that weren’t just passion, but therapy.

My goals shifted from training for cross-country skiing and skimo races to resting, recovering, and getting strong in physical therapy for optimal post-surgical results. My goals shifted from harsh winter sports to more sustainable endurance racing like triathlon, which I could do into all stages of life if I trained right, optimized my diet, and prioritized sleep and recovery.

This time, I would do even better. For me.

I signed up for a 5K to lift my spirits and show myself that I am capable and can do hard things through modifications and the ability to have fun. I had to prove to myself that there was still a life out there for me. I had to bring my goals back to life.

I had my ACL reconstruction surgery on May 5, 2026, using my own quad graft. This surgery was way more intense than my meniscus surgery I had previously, and much more humbling.

I did everything I could physically regarding workouts and rest, and some days were a lot more difficult than others. Range of motion and weight bearing was limited, and I was in a brace. I couldn’t drive, and often felt like I was stuck. The mental aspect became the hardest component. It was me against myself. Me against my thoughts, and some days the most grueling battles were the ones against the version I saw in the mirror, the version of me currently against the version I had idealized.

It’s easy to feel defeated, and to question why things happen to us. It’s easy to feel burnout, and to not see the progress in front of us.

It’s also easy, if we just focus on shifting our mindsets, to celebrate the little wins as we track our progress. It’s easy to have gratitude for the simple joys in life. It’s easy to have a sense of humor. All you have to do is show up, try, and commit to making it fun.

Today, I am about six weeks post-op. I am mostly out of my brace and am walking, swimming with a leg buoy, riding the spin bike, and working out with modifications. I feel better every day. I see progress every day because I commit to showing up. I have physical therapy every day, whether it be in the facility or virtually. I track my diet. I cook sustainable meals. I commit to recovery and rest. And, most importantly, I commit to being my best self.

Some days are better than others, and there have been days where I let my thoughts, fears, and emotions get the best of me. But there have also been days where I have celebrated my wins and re-ignited my dreams. Each day brings new lessons, gratitude, and motivation to continue to be my best. And I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

• Follow Kirsten’s recovery journey on her Instagram Page
• 📷 Credits to: Christy Curry, Katy Jo Carringer & Ally Tanner
• Text: Kirsten Alexis & Jeroen van de Camp, Team-ACL.com

ACL Story Kirsten Alexis

Read Part 1:
“There’s a lot you can do. See the larger goal. See the opportunities. Use this time to grow.”