--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When all you've done is work toward being…" description: "\"When all you've done is work toward being a professional athlete, and then you injure yourself, and you know that you're going to be out for a while, i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/kylie-bunbury-13250_being_when-all-you-ve-done-is-work-toward-bein_1799275.jpg" --- # When all you've done is work toward being a professional… ![“When all you've done is work toward being a professional athlete, and then you injure yourself, and you know that you're going to be out for a while, it's gut-wrenching. It almost feels like your life is over because that's all you've ever worked for.” quote by Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/kylie-bunbury-13250_being_when-all-you-ve-done-is-work-toward-bein_1799275.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/kylie-bunbury-13250_being_when-all-you-ve-done-is-work-toward-bein_1799275.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1c/kylie-bunbury-13250_being_when-all-you-ve-done-is-work-toward-bein_1799275.jpg) > “When all you've done is work toward being a professional athlete, and then you injure yourself, and you know that you're going to be out for a while, it's gut-wrenching. It almost feels like your life is over because that's all you've ever worked for.” [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Injury can shatter identity when one's self-worth is tied solely to athletic performance, causing existential distress. **In simple terms:** Injury can feel like life ends if you only see yourself as an athlete. Key Takeaway Broaden identity beyond sport. Themes identity injury mental health career transition Mood anxious hopeful Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - rehab recovery - career planning - education - mental health counseling Key Concepts self-concept resilience acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How can you redefine purpose after a career setback? - What non‑sport passions could you explore? A Different Perspective Recovery also requires emotional support and new goals, not just physical healing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Professional athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/professional-athlete/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [“...that's what love does to you. Gut-wrenching, overpowering, crushing, fulfilling, complex, bring-you-to-your-knees love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-park/that-s-what-love-does-to-you-gut-wrenching-overpowering-crushing/) [Jessica Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-park/) > [“Your kidding" i said. "we've escaped from top- security prisons, lived on our own for years, made tons of smarty-pants grown-ups look like fools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/your-kidding-i-said-we-ve-escaped-from-top-security-prisons-lived-on/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [“Love is, by far, the most confusing, excruciating, gut-wrenching, agonizing terror ye wilt ever endure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-devlin/love-is-by-far-the-most-confusing-excruciating-gut-wrenching/) Barbara Devlin > [It's a moment that I will be asked about for the rest of my life as an actor, and I carry that moment with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-benz/it-s-a-moment-that-i-will-be-asked-about-for-the-rest-of-my-life-as/) [Julie Benz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-benz/) > [“But I was mostly disappointed in myself for letting that day get to me so much that I ruined the best thing that ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-lauren/but-i-was-mostly-disappointed-in-myself-for-letting-that-day-get-to/) [Kimberly Lauren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-lauren/) > [You want to be the best, and you hear a lot of good things about yourself, and then you find out that you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolph-ziggler/you-want-to-be-the-best-and-you-hear-a-lot-of-good-things-about/) [Dolph Ziggler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolph-ziggler/) > [“Memories of last night manifested slowly from the back of her brain, every new detail hammering her heart like a war drum: the flowers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-vander-ark-2/memories-of-last-night-manifested-slowly-from-the-back-of-her-brain/) [Jake Vander-Ark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-vander-ark-2/) > [Rejection, though--it could make the loss of someone you weren't even that crazy about feel gut wrenching and world ending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/rejection-though-it-could-make-the-loss-of-someone-you-weren-t-even/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [Songs like 'Learn To Love Again' and 'Rochester' and some of the more gut-wrenching ones deal with the pain of the younger times of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-kearney/songs-like-learn-to-love-again-and-rochester-and-some-of-the-more-gut/) [Mat Kearney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-kearney/) > [“Dan wanted to cry out, or scream and yell and destroy with fists and boots. Anything, anything at all to break through the onslaught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquesate/dan-wanted-to-cry-out-or-scream-and-yell-and-destroy-with-fists-and/) [Marquesate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquesate/) > [“She sniffed, aware that she'd become a blubbering mess in an instant. But that's what love does to you. Gut-wrenching, overpowering, crushing, fulfilling, complex,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-park/she-sniffed-aware-that-she-d-become-a-blubbering-mess-in-an-instant/) [Jessica Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-park/) > [That gut-wrenching feeling when you realize no matter how hard you try it will never be enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-gut-wrenching-feeling-when-you-realize-no-matter-how-hard-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“After Toby died, I… There’s just no way I can adequately describe the despair. And the worst part? We had to share our agony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-force/after-toby-died-i-there-s-just-no-way-i-can-adequately-describe-the/) [Marie Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-force/) > [“As soon as I’d told him that Brennan had woken up, he’d wrapped his arms around me and cried. Gut-wrenching, soul-sucking cries. I’d”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-kennedy/as-soon-as-i-d-told-him-that-brennan-had-woken-up-he-d-wrapped-his/) [Sloane Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-kennedy/) > [Deciding whether or not to bring in an outside CEO is one of the most gut-wrenching decisions that a founder will ever need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cohen/deciding-whether-or-not-to-bring-in-an-outside-ceo-is-one-of-the-most/) [David Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cohen/) ## More by Kylie Bunbury > [I normally play very serious characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-normally-play-very-serious-characters/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I firmly believe everyone needs to have balance in their life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-firmly-believe-everyone-needs-to-have-balance-in-their-life/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I sing. I used to think singing is going to be the route, and I still sing to this day. I still try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-sing-i-used-to-think-singing-is-going-to-be-the-route-and-i-still/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [In terms of being a vessel for female empowerment and a role model for young girls, I take it on gladly and seriously, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/in-terms-of-being-a-vessel-for-female-empowerment-and-a-role-model/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I still have a lot of moments where I don't feel worthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-still-have-a-lot-of-moments-where-i-don-t-feel-worthy/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I know I'm known for dramas, but around my family and friends, I'm really goofy! Not saying I'm necessarily funny, but I'm very goofy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-know-i-m-known-for-dramas-but-around-my-family-and-friends-i-m/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I want to be a good actress, I want to be a good person, and I want to play baseball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-want-to-be-a-good-actress-i-want-to-be-a-good-person-and-i-want-to/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I really feel like the proper representation of women, in TV and film, is really important and vital.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-really-feel-like-the-proper-representation-of-women-in-tv-and-film/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I think that TV and film are very important mediums to show what people of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations can do, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-think-that-tv-and-film-are-very-important-mediums-to-show-what/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I grew up in an athletic family. My dad played and my brother currently plays professional soccer, so I'm athletic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-grew-up-in-an-athletic-family-my-dad-played-and-my-brother/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I think any player, as a rookie coming into any sport, has to prove themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-think-any-player-as-a-rookie-coming-into-any-sport-has-to-prove/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I would love to do something that takes me on an adventure. I really want to do it all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-would-love-to-do-something-that-takes-me-on-an-adventure-i-really/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I just really love to do new things and experience new things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-just-really-love-to-do-new-things-and-experience-new-things/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [I grew up with brothers, so I very easily get along with men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/i-grew-up-with-brothers-so-i-very-easily-get-along-with-men/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) > [Living courageously in your uniqueness is really important: just being completely yourself. I know that sounds really cliche, but just do what you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bunbury/living-courageously-in-your-uniqueness-is-really-important-just-being/) [Kylie Bunbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) [Explore all 51 Kylie Bunbury quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bunbury/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When all you've done is work toward being a professional athlete, and then you injure yourself, and you know that you're going to be out for a while, it's gut-wrenching. 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