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React, Recover, Repeat: Mia Gyau’s Incredible Strength and Resilience
1/13/2021 7:43:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Charlotte Tannenbaum, Communications Student Assistant
DURHAM, N.C.-- Mia Gyau's time playing for the Blue Devils has been nothing short of unique. After managing to avoid major injury for the entirety of her successful club career, she faced every athlete's worst nightmare when she finally reached her dream school and tore her ACL and MCL. And then again when she tore her right achilles the following season. And then again when she tore her left achilles a year later. When many would have given up, Gyau got back up each time she was knocked down. A student-athlete well-versed in injury and recovery, her resiliency and spirit are truly unique.
Gyau's first injury was her knee. It was during this time that she met Ciara Burgi, a physical therapist new to Duke, who would work with her through all three of her injuries. After a smooth surgery and recovery, she came back the following year feeling ready to play before she faced another tough break: exactly one year after tearing her ACL and MCL, Gyau tore her achilles tendon.
"It was one of my first three games back," said Gyau. "It was like the 89th minute of the game, and I went up for a header and it just popped."
Gyau instantly felt that something was very wrong.
"I knew it was bad because I couldn't walk and everybody on the sideline was crying," she said.
A mere three games into her comeback season, Gyau was once again sidelined. This recovery was harder than her knee, both mentally and physically. She underwent three surgeries and was left walking in a boot.
"I kept thinking, why me? I literally just came back. Why right now?" Gyau said.
Though disappointed to be out of the game again, she was determined to get back on the field. Through hard work and the help of a dedicated team of people supporting her, Gyau managed a full recovery.
"I worked hard because my physical therapist, Ciara, was putting so much time into trying to get me back, and I felt like my coaches were depending on me to come back. I was externally motivated to make my family proud, to show my physical therapists, trainers and coaches that all of the time and effort that they put into my rehab didn't go to waste."
She worked through surgeries and recovery until again she was able to get back to playing the game she loves.
"After my first achilles, I thought the worst has happened, there's nothing that can stop me now," said Gyau.
Unfortunately, during a rivalry match against North Carolina the following season, Gyau tore her other achilles. But when many may have given up, Gyau's passion for the game pushed her forward and she worked through yet another recovery. She stayed motivated and set her sights on the future.
"There was never a point where I thought I would never play soccer again. I always knew that I'd be able to come back," Gyau added.
Her teammates commend her for her incredible strength and passion.
"I don't think that returning to play after a third season-ending injury would be an easy decision for many people, but for Mia it was. There's nothing that can stop her from playing the game that she loves, and this team is better for it," says teammate Sydney Simmons.
Certainly, the mentality that Gyau developed being a high-level athlete helped her to keep her eye on the prize and keep focused on recovery.
"Every day is a step forward, every day is a step in a positive direction," Gyau says.
Being sidelined gave Gyau a new perspective on the game, something that she remembers every time she goes back on the field. Now, she makes a point to recognize the importance of teammates who aren't playing after having been one of them for so long.
"I ask for their advice in game situations, so that they stay engaged and know that they are important to the success of the team," Gyau commented.
Gyau's passion and appreciation for the game have never wavered, even through all of the ups and downs she faced in her collegiate career. In a season defined by uncertainty, Gyau continues to rely on her positive outlook, just grateful for the opportunity to play even if it looks a little different this year.
"At least I can put my cleats on today, and at least I can run around and make the most of what I have today in this moment." Gyau says. "I'm thankful for every practice."
Gyau has now made the journey from the operating table to the field three times and says that she could not have done it without the support and time of her team, coaches, surgeons, physical therapists, and family. While many athletes would feel overwhelmed by the bad luck she has faced, Gyau instead focuses on how fortunate she is for the people who supported her every step of the way.
"I'm so lucky to have gotten injured at Duke. The surgeons and the quality of surgery that they are able to do is amazing," Gyau notes. "All of the time and effort that everybody in our athletic training staff puts in to get us all back to playing 100% is so special."
In fact, Gyau's experiences have shown her a new passion that she plans to explore as a career path.
"After my [knee] surgery, I was like: this is what I want to do. Definitely orthopedics."
But Gyau's not ready to hang up her cleats quite yet. Though COVID-19 has wrapped the world of professional athletics in a veil of uncertainty, she plans to play professionally after turning in her Blue Devils jersey.
"I'm going to play until it no longer brings me joy," says Gyau.
Clearly, Mia Gyau has not had the typical experience of a student-athlete at Duke. Physical therapist Ciara Burgi attests that Gyau's passion for the game and remarkable resilience are as one of a kind as her story.
"I'm 100% sure that Mia will be one of the most incredible human beings I will ever work with in my career," said Burgi. "Given all that she's endured, nobody would blame her for feeling sorry for herself, getting discouraged, or not trying. But there was never a day in all three of her recoveries that she didn't put her best effort forth with an absolutely phenomenal attitude. She is an incredibly special person."
After working through each of Gyau's injuries with her, Burgi formed a close relationship with the Gyau and was an important part of all of her recoveries.
"We helped each other through and helped each other grow," Gyau says. "If she wasn't here, I don't know how well I would have been able to come back from the injuries I came back from."
Like Burgi, Gyau's teammates also recognize how remarkable her attitude is.
"She's one of the most positive and resilient people I've ever met. Before I went through an achilles injury myself, I never would have known how difficult some days could be; Mia seemed to get through it so effortlessly," said Simmons. "One thing I have learned is that everyone processes injury differently, and Mia is one of few who conquers it with her smile."
Now a pro at handling injuries and recovery, Gyau's advice to anyone facing a similar struggle is simple:
"Even if you're having the worst day, and you smile in the mirror, it boosts your mood. So just smile. You'll be okay."
Though many overlook the importance of positivity, it has kept Gyau fighting when others would have given up. Throughout her collegiate career, she has shown her teammates how to remain optimistic and focused in the face of adversity.
"She is such an inspiration to me and so many others, and I know that her legacy at Duke will remain long after she leaves to pursue her other dreams," says Simmons.
After three major injuries and recoveries, Gyau has proven that there's nothing that she can't handle. She will no doubt keep making Duke proud as her unique story continues to unfold.
#GoDuke
DURHAM, N.C.-- Mia Gyau's time playing for the Blue Devils has been nothing short of unique. After managing to avoid major injury for the entirety of her successful club career, she faced every athlete's worst nightmare when she finally reached her dream school and tore her ACL and MCL. And then again when she tore her right achilles the following season. And then again when she tore her left achilles a year later. When many would have given up, Gyau got back up each time she was knocked down. A student-athlete well-versed in injury and recovery, her resiliency and spirit are truly unique.
Gyau's first injury was her knee. It was during this time that she met Ciara Burgi, a physical therapist new to Duke, who would work with her through all three of her injuries. After a smooth surgery and recovery, she came back the following year feeling ready to play before she faced another tough break: exactly one year after tearing her ACL and MCL, Gyau tore her achilles tendon.
"It was one of my first three games back," said Gyau. "It was like the 89th minute of the game, and I went up for a header and it just popped."
Gyau instantly felt that something was very wrong.
"I knew it was bad because I couldn't walk and everybody on the sideline was crying," she said.
A mere three games into her comeback season, Gyau was once again sidelined. This recovery was harder than her knee, both mentally and physically. She underwent three surgeries and was left walking in a boot.
"I kept thinking, why me? I literally just came back. Why right now?" Gyau said.
Though disappointed to be out of the game again, she was determined to get back on the field. Through hard work and the help of a dedicated team of people supporting her, Gyau managed a full recovery.
"I worked hard because my physical therapist, Ciara, was putting so much time into trying to get me back, and I felt like my coaches were depending on me to come back. I was externally motivated to make my family proud, to show my physical therapists, trainers and coaches that all of the time and effort that they put into my rehab didn't go to waste."
She worked through surgeries and recovery until again she was able to get back to playing the game she loves.
"After my first achilles, I thought the worst has happened, there's nothing that can stop me now," said Gyau.
Unfortunately, during a rivalry match against North Carolina the following season, Gyau tore her other achilles. But when many may have given up, Gyau's passion for the game pushed her forward and she worked through yet another recovery. She stayed motivated and set her sights on the future.
"There was never a point where I thought I would never play soccer again. I always knew that I'd be able to come back," Gyau added.
Her teammates commend her for her incredible strength and passion.
"I don't think that returning to play after a third season-ending injury would be an easy decision for many people, but for Mia it was. There's nothing that can stop her from playing the game that she loves, and this team is better for it," says teammate Sydney Simmons.
Certainly, the mentality that Gyau developed being a high-level athlete helped her to keep her eye on the prize and keep focused on recovery.
"Every day is a step forward, every day is a step in a positive direction," Gyau says.
Being sidelined gave Gyau a new perspective on the game, something that she remembers every time she goes back on the field. Now, she makes a point to recognize the importance of teammates who aren't playing after having been one of them for so long.
"I ask for their advice in game situations, so that they stay engaged and know that they are important to the success of the team," Gyau commented.
Gyau's passion and appreciation for the game have never wavered, even through all of the ups and downs she faced in her collegiate career. In a season defined by uncertainty, Gyau continues to rely on her positive outlook, just grateful for the opportunity to play even if it looks a little different this year.
"At least I can put my cleats on today, and at least I can run around and make the most of what I have today in this moment." Gyau says. "I'm thankful for every practice."
Gyau has now made the journey from the operating table to the field three times and says that she could not have done it without the support and time of her team, coaches, surgeons, physical therapists, and family. While many athletes would feel overwhelmed by the bad luck she has faced, Gyau instead focuses on how fortunate she is for the people who supported her every step of the way.
"I'm so lucky to have gotten injured at Duke. The surgeons and the quality of surgery that they are able to do is amazing," Gyau notes. "All of the time and effort that everybody in our athletic training staff puts in to get us all back to playing 100% is so special."
In fact, Gyau's experiences have shown her a new passion that she plans to explore as a career path.
"After my [knee] surgery, I was like: this is what I want to do. Definitely orthopedics."
But Gyau's not ready to hang up her cleats quite yet. Though COVID-19 has wrapped the world of professional athletics in a veil of uncertainty, she plans to play professionally after turning in her Blue Devils jersey.
"I'm going to play until it no longer brings me joy," says Gyau.
Clearly, Mia Gyau has not had the typical experience of a student-athlete at Duke. Physical therapist Ciara Burgi attests that Gyau's passion for the game and remarkable resilience are as one of a kind as her story.
"I'm 100% sure that Mia will be one of the most incredible human beings I will ever work with in my career," said Burgi. "Given all that she's endured, nobody would blame her for feeling sorry for herself, getting discouraged, or not trying. But there was never a day in all three of her recoveries that she didn't put her best effort forth with an absolutely phenomenal attitude. She is an incredibly special person."
After working through each of Gyau's injuries with her, Burgi formed a close relationship with the Gyau and was an important part of all of her recoveries.
"We helped each other through and helped each other grow," Gyau says. "If she wasn't here, I don't know how well I would have been able to come back from the injuries I came back from."
Like Burgi, Gyau's teammates also recognize how remarkable her attitude is.
"She's one of the most positive and resilient people I've ever met. Before I went through an achilles injury myself, I never would have known how difficult some days could be; Mia seemed to get through it so effortlessly," said Simmons. "One thing I have learned is that everyone processes injury differently, and Mia is one of few who conquers it with her smile."
Now a pro at handling injuries and recovery, Gyau's advice to anyone facing a similar struggle is simple:
"Even if you're having the worst day, and you smile in the mirror, it boosts your mood. So just smile. You'll be okay."
Though many overlook the importance of positivity, it has kept Gyau fighting when others would have given up. Throughout her collegiate career, she has shown her teammates how to remain optimistic and focused in the face of adversity.
"She is such an inspiration to me and so many others, and I know that her legacy at Duke will remain long after she leaves to pursue her other dreams," says Simmons.
After three major injuries and recoveries, Gyau has proven that there's nothing that she can't handle. She will no doubt keep making Duke proud as her unique story continues to unfold.
#GoDuke
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