If you’re the co-founder of an organization like VNTRbirds, then you know you’ve got to be out there riding and leading the way. But what happens when leading the pack puts you on your back?
For Kelley Wren, this question became all too real during a fall clinic at Keystone Bike Park.
As a passionate mountain biker who had just completed her best season ever (including a second-place finish in her first Enduro race), Kelley found herself facing a serious injury that required the care of a trusted PT partner.
When Adventure Takes an Unexpected Turn
It was supposed to be an exciting day of coaching. VNTRbirds was hosting a steeps and technical clinic at Keystone Bike Park, designed for advanced riders ready to tackle chunky, steep, technical terrain.
With a team of experienced coaches and excited participants, Kelley was in her element – sharing her love for what she calls her “preferred type of riding: chunk.”
The day was going well. The team had successfully navigated the challenging “Cowboy Up” trail with its massive rock gardens.
Then came the run down “Wild Thing,” a narrow, twisty technical trail featuring a set of stairs known as “Triple Step” – which included five big boulders to roll over.
After coaching others through the section successfully, Kelley approached a drop. She made it through the entire feature but suddenly found herself too far in the backseat. Her front tire washed out – and the moment went from a high-high to a very low-low.
The crash was severe. Kelley’s foot became stuck in the rear triangle of her bike frame. She felt that dreaded “pop and crack” deep in her soul. This wasn’t just a typical fall.
Unable to put weight on her left foot, she found herself going into shock, shivering as her friends rallied around her, using their jerseys to keep her warm while waiting for bike patrol.
The 45-minute wait for evacuation felt like an eternity, followed by a precarious journey down the rest of the trail on a single-wheel stretcher.
At urgent care, the diagnosis was clear: her ankle was “very broken.”
Becoming Okay With Uncertainty
What followed was a period of waiting and uncertainty. Multiple X-rays, an MRI, and a CT scan revealed that Kelley had broken her talus with two fractures on the medial side of her ankle.
Interestingly, imaging also showed an old, partially healed fracture on the outside of her ankle from an incident the previous December (an injury she had mistaken for a simple strain).
Fortunately, Kelley received good news from her orthopedist: No surgery would be required. But she still faced two months of non-weight bearing recovery, a big challenge for someone whose livelihood and identity are connected to the outdoors.
“Become okay with uncertainty” became Kelley’s mantra as she adjusted to her new recovery protocol.
For someone who describes herself as “not an indoorsy person,” the sudden shift was jarring. Finding new habits beyond doomscrolling and watching TV proved difficult, especially while her community continued to enjoy the outdoors without her.
But Kelley wasn’t alone in her recovery journey. Our team of therapists at Axis Sports Medicine came alongside Kelley to help her heal in community.
Finding the Right PT Partnership
For individuals in Summit County, finding physical therapists who understand your love for being active matters.
As Kelley puts it, “One thing I love about Axis is that everyone there is doing the same sports that you do.” Our therapists at Axis know more than just anatomy and muscle function; they comprehend the passion driving athletes to return to the activities they love.
Kelley began working with two therapists at Axis, Mallory and Terri, each bringing their expertise and individualized approaches to her recovery.
The personal connection Kelley made with her PT team mattered just as much as the technical expertise – even bonding over a love for Taylor Swift while working through challenging exercises.
The Science and Art of Recovery
Kelley’s treatment plan at Axis was comprehensive, using a variety of specialized techniques such as trigger point dry needling with electrode stimulation.
Or as Kelley puts it, “14 needles and the electrode STIM – science is happening!”
This approach, one of many targeted therapies available at Axis Sports Medicine, offered immediate relief for Kelley as she worked through her rehabilitation process.
In reflecting on her physical therapy, Kelley noted that the Axis team designed functional exercises tailored to her recovery goals. Exercises that appeared simple were often far more challenging than she expected – but seeing weekly progress was motivating.
Jumping exercises that initially maxed out at four repetitions soon became sets of ten. It was these small yet tangible improvements that turned into the growing list of small wins Kelley needed to stay positive through recovery.
Getting Back to the Mountains & Her Community
Axis athletes know that real recovery isn’t measured in clinical milestones alone. It’s marked by those moments when you get to return to the activities they love.
With Axis’s guidance, Kelley began carefully venturing outdoors again, starting with short, slow walking tours and gradually rebuilding her confidence.
The mental aspect of recovery proved just as challenging as the physical. “I’ll get there when I get there” became her new approach (a big shift for someone accustomed to pushing limits!)
With the support of her Axis physical therapists, she’s developing strategies to handle the mental barriers, ensuring fear remains “just a whisper” as she returns to the sport she loves.
Throughout her recovery, Kelley has relied not just on professional care but on the supportive community she helped build. Her VNTRbirds family has been there every step of the way, from helping in the immediate aftermath of her accident to supporting her as she gradually returns to leadership.
The Journey Continues
Kelley’s story isn’t about a quick fix or miracle recovery. It’s about patience, persistence, and partnership.
As she continues building strength and confidence with the guidance of her Axis team, she’s back to planning clinics and events with VNTRbirds, embracing a slightly modified but just as passionate approach to outdoor adventure.
For the Axis Sports Medicine team, Kelley’s experience is about what we do best: providing personalized, understanding care that helps mountain athletes heal. By supporting local leaders like Kelley, we hope to help strengthen our entire outdoor community and beyond!
When you’re active, injuries are often part of the lifestyle. But they don’t have to define your future adventures. With the right team by your side, setbacks can become yet another story to tell on the next ride up the lift or trek up the trail.
If you’re recovering from an injury or dealing with pain keeping you from your favorite mountain activities, Axis Sports Medicine is here to help. Book an appointment at one of our four convenient Summit and Eagle County locations today.
What is VNTRbirds?
VNTRbirds (venture birds) is a women-run adventure company in the heart of the Rocky Mountains specializing in women-focused outdoor education and experiences.
VNTRbirds brings women-identifying and non-binary riders, who are comfortable in femme-centered spaces, together to build confidence and self-reliance in the outdoors through mountain biking, backcountry skiing/splitboarding, and community meet-ups.
VNTRbirds focuses on holistic learning that’s led by women and for women which encourages them to own their identities as outdoor athletes in a way that’s inclusive and fun.
We provide safer places for learning, mentorship for long-term growth, and forums for community and connection to see more women of all demographics on mountain bikes, split boards, and skis.
VNTRbirds Events
Summer Mountain Biking Clinics are open! Check them out here.
