Pushing Limits, Finding Balance: An Athlete’s Spine Story

Amanda Rosen’s story is one of relentless determination, unexpected setbacks, and ultimately, transformation. Diagnosed with spondylolisthesis at just seven years old, Amanda grew up managing chronic pain—but never letting it define her. She went on to become a Division I lacrosse player at Rutgers University and later pushed her limits even further as an Ironman competitor. But in 2016, while training for a qualifying race for Kona, everything changed. A sudden progression of her condition left her in debilitating pain—unable to walk, care for her family, or continue the active life she had always known. After exhausting conservative treatments, Amanda made the difficult decision to undergo spinal fusion surgery. In this episode, Amanda shares her journey from lifelong athlete to patient, navigating insurance challenges, surgery, and recovery with resilience and perspective. Her story is not just about healing physically, but about redefining identity, asking for help, and finding strength beyond performance. Today, Amanda is pain-free and living life on her terms—reminding us all that recovery is possible, and that even in our hardest moments, we can find a way forward. Support the show