3 days ago
Surfer India Robinson returns after concussions and 'debilitating' endometriosis
Every time India Robinson got her period, she used "as many painkillers as possible" just to make it through the day.
As an elite surfer, she was used to pushing through pain and forcing her body to perform.
But when the painkillers stopped working and the constant fatigue and sickness took its toll, she realised she had "nothing left" and knew something had to change to get her career, and life, back on track.
In a common tale for many women, after years of unexplained pain, the 24-year-old discovered she had stage three endometriosis, and a cyst on her left ovary.
"It was debilitating. Every time I was trying to compete, and I knew that maybe my period would overlap, it was going to be really difficult for me and it did impact my career a lot," she told ABC Sport.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare:
About 14 per cent of people assigned female at birth are estimated to have endometriosis, and it takes an average of six to eight years to receive a diagnosis.
In the most extreme instances, Robinson's symptoms included vomiting and fevers that could last several hours on the first day of her period — in addition to the constant back pain, sickness, fatigue, and an exacerbation of the symptoms resulting from repeated concussions.
So when she suffered her latest concussion in July last year, it was a chance for her to reset and finally prioritise her overall health.
"The best thing I did was get (endometriosis) surgery, get all of that toxic stuff removed from my body," she said.
"That then allowed me to become my full healthy self again, and I definitely feel like although it was the hardest year of my life, it was probably the biggest blessing in disguise as well.
"Once I realised that (endometriosis) can be addressed, it can be fixed, and now I've been through that and I'm on the other side of it, it's the biggest game changer.
"I also took time to address my mental health, focusing on seeing what underlying issues I had there, and that was pretty important as well."
After spending nearly a year on the sidelines, Robinson will return to the World Surf League Challenger Series in Newcastle this week.
During her time away from the sport, she's focused on building a workshop based educational program, 'Queen in Me', designed to empower girls and help them navigate societal pressures.
"(I want to) give girls the tools they can use every single day to help them stay connected with who they are and what's important to them, rather than being sucked into something that they don't want to do, or they feel pressured into doing," she said.
Robinson says there's a big focus on body image pressures and combating unrealistic expectations amplified by social media.
"By scrolling on Instagram and comparing yourself to some model in America, is that gonna take you towards your goal of becoming the next Matilda star"? she said.
"It's being really logical and opening their eyes to what decisions they're making."
After being crowned the 2023 Challenger Series Champion, Robinson is hoping to once again earn her spot in the WSL, and become the 'best surfer and athlete' she can be.
