With the Games on the way, a select group of athletes is in the final stages of preparation for the competition they’ve been waiting for all year. Others didn’t quite make it that far. Brooke Ence was one such athlete. Her comeback from injury was nothing short of remarkable, and while she has come an incredibly long way in such a short amount of time, the Games just weren’t in the cards for her this season. As always, though, she had some wise words to share with her fans.

Well….. I M B A C K. ?? – March 31st 2017 , Spinal Fusion of C6,C7 – Due to all the atrophy in my upper body, right after my surgery I got an MRI on my left shoulder and the posterior labrum was torn – With the help of my coaches and doctors, I had a plan to train as hard as my body would allow during my recovery with the Open and Regionals in mind. I of course constantly thought about my “Disney Moment” I was going to have – { 1 year post surgery and qualifying for the 2018 Crossfit Games} . That would have been the greatest comeback of all time. ?? – I may not be going to the CF Games to compete this year but I did experience a “Disney” moment. I have NEVER felt more support during a competition in my life. I see 1M on my social media and I KNOW that it’s a lot of people and like to think all of them support me. But, actually until this weekend while competing in Del Mar, walking out with Heat 1 in all but 1 workout. I have never FELT or HEARD what it is like to have 1M. You guys are loud AF ? and I want to say thank you AGAIN for keeping me going this weekend. I could not have done it without you. ? – Coming out of Regionals sore AF and continuing my recovery and epic comeback story ? ?: @doooker #itmakesence #thecomeback #crossfit

A post shared by brookeence (@brookeence) on May 29, 2018 at 6:40am PDT

She wasn’t the only one keeping it positive.

The beautiful thing about sport is that it is very black and white, the results don’t lie. Does coming up short of my goal hurt? Of course, it hurts a lot. That’s good though if it didn’t hurt I would not belong on the competition floor. You need that sick feeling in your gut to make you the best and remind you day after day what needs to be done. The only thing that changes walking away from the weekend is that I will not be in Wisconsin in August. Other than that the goal remains the same, to be the best, the train doesn’t stop here. No brakes. #crossfitgames #crossfit

A post shared by Christian Vialpando Lucero (@christianvluc) on May 28, 2018 at 9:55am PDT

I’ll try to make this short and sweet ? •••• So didn’t see this one coming ?I didn’t qualify for the @crossfitgames but you know what?! I wouldn’t change one thing about the weekend. I poured my heart and soul into my preparation, I gave it everything I had on the floor, and I had a ball!! •••• It’s been a wild 6 months. I’ve flipped my life upside down and taken leaps of faith that didn’t appear to have soft landings waiting on the other side—or any landings at all sometimes ?through it all, I haven’t been let down ONCE. I’ve found so much joy and peace chasing after things I’m passionate about—Crossfit being one of them! ••• The interactions I had with so many people this weekend was so much more rewarding than any victory on a competition floor. And to me, THAT’S what it’s about. I’m not validated or defined by a qualifying spot. I’m validated and defined by Christ who has a perfect plan for my life?? ••• Thank you everyone who cheered, sent messages, or stopped me to say hello. I LOVE being a part of all of your lives!! •••• I told you guys 2018 was gonna be wild. We’re only half way!! There’s still so much more action to come ??#peaceandblessings ??? @bearkomplex

A post shared by JESSICA?GRIFFITH (@jessicargriffith) on May 28, 2018 at 8:07am PDT

Heartbreaking. That’s about the most accurate word I can think of to describe the weekend right now. When you pour every ounce of yourself into 1 goal the entire year and come up short. It hurts like hell. – However, I have the most incredible support group that I could not be more thankful for. To my family, friends, sponsors, and anyone else who reached out to me this weekend. Thank you, I truly appreciate you all. – This is not the end. I will be back.

A post shared by Streat Hoerner (@streathoerner) on May 28, 2018 at 2:58pm PDT

Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! – Rocky Balboa #liveandlearn #workhard

A post shared by Cody Mooney (@cmooneycf) on May 21, 2018 at 6:10pm PDT

You got me down, but you won’t take me out. Focused and ready for 2019. This picture is printed and will be hung up in my apt as a constant reminder. #motivationmonday @crossfitgames @cf_colosseum @based_on_balance @rocky_rmt

A post shared by Carolyne Prevost (@cprevost27) on May 28, 2018 at 1:18pm PDT

I’ll be back @crossfitgames ? – #smallbutmighty

A post shared by Thuri Helgadottir (@thurihelgadottir) on May 20, 2018 at 12:31pm PDT

Self Reflection is apart of self growth. Regionals 2018… Started off great then the tidal wave hit. Day 2 I got caught with a hand full of no reps and instead of being composed and focused I let them get to me. Such a rookie mistake but it’s one I’ll learn from and never let happen again. Learning to control what I can control will only make me become a more confident athlete. It hurts like hell watching my Buddy’s take the podium and move on to the next level. It hurts even worse having to walk home empty handed knowing I had more but just under performed. Time to get back to the drawing board and prepared my self better than ever for next years tryouts! Thank you to everyone who supports me and makes competing possible. #crossfitgames @crossfitgames

A post shared by Tommy Vinas (@tommyvinas_) on May 23, 2018 at 9:16am PDT

And just like that another regionals has come and gone. This wasn’t the outcome I wanted but I learned so much from the weekend and you better believe I’ll be coming back next year. I’m so beyond grateful for my family and friends who supported me throughout the weekend and have continued to do so day in and day out. Thank you to all of you guys for all the amazing messages, love, and support! Many more thank you’s to come! It’s been a good week of laying low, getting out of the gym, and enjoying the Arizona sunshine but I’m definitely itching to get back to training ? Hope everyone is having an amazing weekend and good luck to all the athletes competing this weekend and next! #opex #faithoverfear #lovewhatyoudo #crossfit #SouthRegionals #smile

A post shared by colleenfotsch (@colleenfotsch) on May 26, 2018 at 6:46pm PDT

This past weekend was a tough one for me. It was a weekend filled with many highs and lows and in the end it didn’t turn out the way I was hoping for. However, I’m a firm believer everything happens for a reason and I’m going to take this experience as a launch pad for my next step! Thank you to my family, friends, sponsors and fans for all the support throughout this journey…it means the world to me. Love you all! ?

A post shared by Garret M. Fisher (@garretmfisher) on May 29, 2018 at 1:21pm PDT

Main image: Brooke Ence/Instagram