Cooper Johnston: Injury as Opportunity: Cooper’s Story on Growth Through Adversity

In this episode of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast, Dan is joined by Cooper Johnston to discuss his journey recovering from an ACL injury in his knee.

Cooper Johnston’s passion for soccer began at the age of three. From the outset, his goal was clear: to compete at the highest level. His journey started with SFC before advancing to Salisbury United Soccer Club (SUSC) in fourth grade, where his relentless work ethic began to separate him.
By the time he reached high school, Cooper had earned a spot on varsity as a freshman and was selected for the prestigious Olympic Development Program which he played for his freshman and sophomore years. It was during this period that he met his trainer Chase Humphrey—an inflection point that really took his game to the next level.
Following his junior year, Cooper transitioned to Maryland United. Over two years, he juggled high-level club play with high school leadership, ultimately captaining the James M. Bennett High School team to a state championship as a senior.
But Cooper’s story is not just one of triumph it came with many setbacks and injuries, but one injury stood out over the rest. After his senior season, he suffered a torn ACL—a devastating injury just months before stepping into the world of college soccer. For many, this would have been the end of the road. For Cooper, it was the beginning of a new chapter. He took a gap year, bet on himself, and attacked his recovery with the same intensity he brought to the pitch.
He continued playing with Maryland United ECNL during his recovery and got recruited by the University of South Carolina’s Division 1 program, where he has just completed his second year.
While soccer remained central to his identity, lingering injury forced Cooper to take time away from sports and turn his focus toward new ambitions. Now, he is channeling his drive and discipline into the world of finance, where he has already began to make a name for himself. Cooper is applying the same relentless work ethic and leadership that once defined his athletic career to his pursuit of success in the financial world.

For more on Cooper be sure to follow @cooperjohnston11

*SEASON 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is brought to you by Isophit. For more on Isophit, please check out isophit.com and @isophit -BE SURE to use coupon code BraunPR25% to save 25% on your Isophit order!

**Season 6 of the Braun Performance & Rehab Podcast is also brought to you by Firefly Recovery, the official recovery provider for Braun Performance & Rehab. For more on Firefly, please check out https://www.recoveryfirefly.com/ or email jake@recoveryfirefly.com

***This episode is also powered by Dr. Ray Gorman, founder of Engage Movement. Learn how to boost your income without relying on sessions. Get a free training on the blended practice model by following @raygormandpt on Instagram. DM my name “Dan” to @raygormandpt on Instagram and receive your free breakdown on the model.

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