You Can Come Back: Stories of Recovery, Resilience, and Return
Make it stand out
At Project ACL, we know firsthand how challenging the road to recovery can be after an ACL injury. We’ve seen the frustration, the doubt, the setbacks — and more importantly, we’ve seen what’s possible when the right support meets relentless determination.
Between us — Brett and Dan — we’ve worked with hundreds of athletes recovering from ACL reconstruction, from recreational runners and weekend warriors to high-level field sport athletes and competitive lifters. Each story is different, but the goal is always the same: get back to the sport you love, stronger and more confident than before.
That’s exactly why we created Project ACL — because we believe that every athlete deserves a structured, expert-guided, start-to-finish program that meets the full demands of returning to high performance.
A Long Road — But a Proven One
ACL recovery is not a quick fix. It’s a journey that often takes 9–12 months (or more) of focused rehab, strength building, and confidence restoration. Many athletes hit plateaus. Some feel stuck between the medical world and the performance world. That’s where we come in.
Project ACL is built to carry athletes across every stage of this process, from post-surgical swelling and stiffness to cutting, jumping, and competing again. We’ve helped countless athletes do it — and we want you to know it’s absolutely possible.
Real Athletes. Real Comebacks.
Need some proof? Take a look at these incredible female professional athletes who’ve made full returns to elite sport after ACL surgery:
⚽️ Alexia Putellas – FC Barcelona & Spain
Injury: ACL tear in July 2022
Comeback: Returned to captain FC Barcelona to a Champions League title in 2023
Why it matters: One of the best midfielders in the world — proved you can return to world-class performance after a complete ACL tear.
⚽️ Alex Morgan – USWNT
Injury: ACL tear in high school
Comeback: Returned to become a World Cup Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist, and one of the most prolific scorers in women’s soccer history.
Why it matters: Her ACL injury didn’t define her — her work ethic and resilience did.
Rose Lavelle – U.S. Women’s Soccer
Injury: ACL tear at age 16
Recovery: Patient long-term rehab and college success led to international stardom
Inspiration: Rose tore her ACL in high school and missed significant development time, but she leaned into strength and conditioning and technical skills during her recovery. Eventually, she became one of the stars of the 2019 World Cup, scoring in the final and being named to the tournament’s Best XI.
You’re Not Alone in This
If you’re in the middle of your ACL recovery — or just getting started — know this: it’s possible. The process is demanding, but it’s also one of the most empowering journeys an athlete can go through.
At Project ACL, we’re here to guide that journey — with expert physiotherapy, personalized strength programming, advanced testing, and on-field training. No guesswork, no “wait and see,” and no skipping steps. Just a proven plan, delivered by people who live and breathe this work.
Let’s Write Your Comeback Story
Whether you’re a competitive athlete or just want to return to the activities you love, we’re ready to help you take the next step.
📍 Start your recovery with Project ACL today