After brain surgery, everything changes.
You look at life through a different lens. What once seemed important fades into the background, and a new fire starts to burn. For me, that fire showed up in the form of endurance challenges—events that push my body and mind far beyond what they were “supposed” to be capable of.
Since my diagnosis and surgery, I’ve taken on ultra-distance events, faced harsh environments, and kept pushing through discomfort and pain. It might sound extreme, but for me, it’s become a way of living. I’ve even signed up for my first 100-mile race next year. Yes, some might say I’ve totally lost the plot!
But why?
I’ve asked myself, “Am I trying to prove that I’m strong enough to survive the worst? Or am I training to be resilient enough for whatever’s coming next?”
And recently, I discovered there’s actually a name for what I’ve been experiencing: Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG).
What is Post-Traumatic Growth?
Psychologists Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun coined the term in the 1990s to describe the positive psychological change that can occur after someone endures trauma or a life-altering event. Unlike resilience, which is about bouncing back, PTG is about bouncing forward—growing in ways you might never have otherwise.
Common themes of PTG include:
- A renewed appreciation for life
- Greater personal strength
- Stronger relationships
- Spiritual or existential growth
- A desire to help others or find new purpose
And interestingly, many people—especially endurance athletes—find that physical challenge becomes a powerful way to process trauma and unlock growth.
Endurance as a Path to Growth
There’s something about voluntarily choosing to suffer—to lean into discomfort—that rewires the brain. Endurance sports offer a place to face yourself without distraction… a place to be raw, real, and alive.
In my case, running, hiking, cycling, and pushing my limits became the language I needed to process the trauma. Every mile teaches me something about survival, strength, and possibility. It’s not always pretty. It often hurts. But I never come out the same.
And I’m not alone. Many people who’ve experienced serious illness or trauma discover they crave challenge. Not as a punishment, but as a powerful reminder that they’re still here and still capable of so much more than they were told.
How This Shapes What I Do Now
Post-traumatic growth isn’t just a personal journey; it’s become the heartbeat of The Beyond Recovery Project, the community I founded for people rebuilding their lives after brain tumour diagnosis. Through movement, connection, and challenge, we help others discover strength they never thought they had. And nothing makes me smile more than seeing others being able to tap into this too.
Survival is just the beginning. What comes next is the most incredible growth.
– Sara Crosland