Anne Explores!
- Hopeful Hippies
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The two words, "Anne" and "Explores" describe who Anne is to a T. In fact, she has a website that is a picture of hope for hippies and non-hippies alike. It is full of adventure and practical advice for those of us life explorers.
Anne remembers the moment her body first betrayed her: a steady ache after a long run that turned into sharp pain and made stairs feel impossible. That fear and the slow, stubborn work of getting her back to her baseline is what this hip hope story is all about.
In the fall of 2019, a routine 10-mile run left her right hip angry and raw. At first, she thought it was just soreness — she had finished half marathons that year and handled bursitis before — but this pain escalated quickly. An MRI showed a labral tear, yet her local surgeon shrugged it off. as many do. Being dismissed forced her to ask more questions, search harder, and eventually find Dr. Marc Philippon in Vail, who confirmed combined cam and pincer FAI and the torn labrum. She had surgery in March 2020 — labral repair, osteoplasty, and bursectomy — and began what felt like a very long apprenticeship in patience. Very long!
Nine months later though Anne was back to running again. Little by little the things that felt impossible returned: long hikes, a summit of her first 14er (to you non-hikers - that means 14,000 feet), snowboarding and even dirt biking. Those wins felt huge because they were earned the slow way — one physical therapy appointment, one stubborn set of stairs, one cautious run at a time. In October 2024 the left hip started telling the same story. Knowing what to look for, Anne went back to Dr. Philippon and chose surgery again in May 2025. This second recovery felt different: steadier, better supported, and guided by the lessons of the first time.
The struggles were real! Anne shares the following insights:
Losing movement felt like losing part of her identity. She is an outdoors person; activity is how she breathes and connects (me too). Being sidelined was isolating.
Patience is harder than any exercise. Waiting for tissue to heal is a strange, slow test of will.
The emotional ups and downs were real. Some days she was hopeful and engaged; other days she felt small and powerless.
Yes, it was a struggle, but with struggle comes achievement and these are the things Anne is so proud of!
A smarter recovery approach. She went in better informed, more prepared mentally, and that changed everything.
Early, consistent engagement with rehab. Anne was on the bike the morning after surgery and stayed diligent in PT for five weeks in Vail. That consistency paid off.
A fuller return to life. Reaching physical milestones like summiting a 14er and getting back on a snowboard reminded her that progress isn’t theoretical — it’s joyful and tangible.
She also felt the crazy and exhilarating feelings of success because of several strategies that she has incorporated into everything she does.
Advocating for herself. The first misdiagnosis taught her to push for answers and the right specialist.
Community and expert care. A strong PT team and peers who shared their own stories made the process less lonely and more practical.
Mindset and small rituals. She used a simple mantra — You’ve got this — she moved however she could each day and let herself feel the hard emotions when they came. Music, tiny wins, and mindfulness helped her notice progress that otherwise would have slipped by unnoticed.
Anne wants you to know this!
Don’t settle for the first answer. Trust your instincts and keep asking until you find care that matches your problem and your needs! Advocate for what you need! Recovery is messy and nonlinear, but if you show up day after day, your life does come back — sometimes in a better, wiser form than before.
So Anne is taking the next step in her recovery and hosting a hiking tour. Although the destination has not been determined yet as she is waiting from input from her co-explorers - the options include Machu Pichu, the Dolomites and Tour de Mont Blanc. She would love to include your vote: https://tally.so/r/wvQzYg
This hopeful hippie is super excited for the possibilities. I can train for this and be great, but my calendar is going to have to align with the stars. We, my friends, are not the sum of our hip struggles. We can find joy in the outdoors by making new friends and sharing new experiences.
Here's to exploring hip hope and foreign lands!
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