Pushing through discomfort is almost a badge of honor in hybrid training. Whether you are grinding through wall balls in HYROX, chasing a personal best in a marathon, or powering through a heavy CrossFit conditioning workout, the mindset is often simple: do not quit. Pain is often seen as proof that you are working hard enough.

But here is the truth I see in my clinic every week. The same mindset that drives athletes to greatness can also drive them straight into injury. I have treated countless competitors who thought their pain was “just soreness” — only to discover it was a stress fracture, tendon injury, or joint damage that needed weeks or months of recovery.

So, should you train through pain? The answer is not as simple as yes or no. Some pain is a normal part of athletic progress.

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