If you've been following my journey lately, you know that the last two months have looked a little different than usual. Instead of the crisp air of the Swiss Alps or the salty breeze of Bali, my days were filled with physiotherapy sessions, stretching mats, and a lot of forced patience.
As many of you saw in my last update, I was sidelined by a back injury—specifically an intraosseous disc herniation. For an athlete, the word "rest" can sometimes feel like a four-letter word. My life is usually lived at 100 km/h, riding in the halfpipe in Laax or traveling around the world chasing the snow. Being told I had to step back and let my body heal was one of the hardest mental challenges I've faced so far.
But today, I'm writing this with a huge smile on my face and a little bit of "good" soreness in my muscles. I am finally back on my board.
The Work Behind the Scenes
While I wasn't on the mountain, I definitely wasn't sitting still. My "break" was actually one of the hardest training blocks I've ever done; it just took place in the gym and the pool instead of the snow. I committed myself to a strict recovery regime to make sure I'd come back stronger than before. I spent hours every day on deep stretching and mobility work to regain my flexibility. I lived in the gym, focusing on high-rep squats to keep my legs "snow-ready" and core exercises to protect my spine. When the impact of the gym felt like too much, I took to the water—swimming became my secret weapon, allowing me to build cardio and strength without any pressure on my back. It was a grind, but every lap in the pool and every set of squats was a step back toward the pipe.
The First Drop-In
Walking back up to the top of the halfpipe for the first time after eight weeks away was surreal. There's a specific kind of silence at the top of the pipe—a mix of focus and adrenaline. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. When you've had a back injury, you become hyper-aware of every movement. You wonder: Will it hold? Will it pinch? Am I ready?
But the moment I dropped in and felt the board connect with the transition, all that noise disappeared. The muscle memory took over. The feeling of weightlessness at the lip of the pipe is something I've missed so deeply. It's my happy place, and being back in that rhythm felt like coming home.
Lessons from the Break
Looking back, those two months taught me a lot about the "grind." We often think that progress only happens when we're pushing ourselves to the limit, but I've realized that recovery is just as much a part of the training as the tricks themselves.
During my time off, I focused on:
Mindset: Staying positive even when I couldn't be active.
Listening: Really tuning into what my body is telling me, rather than just pushing through the pain.
Gratitude: Appreciating the ability to move, dance, and ride.
What's Next?
I'm not jumping straight back into the biggest air just yet! Right now, it's all about "smart training." I'm working closely with my coach to rebuild my core strength and ensure my back stays protected as I ramp up the intensity. The goal is to stay healthy and consistent as I head into the next chapter of my quest and long journey.
Being back in the mountains, surrounded by the snow and the community I love, has recharged my soul. To everyone who sent me messages of support during my recovery—thank you. You kept me motivated on the days when I just wanted to be back on the snow.
Peace, love, and powder days,
Zazi 💜
Stay tuned for more updates on my training and my journey as a ROXY girl! Follow me on Instagram for daily clips from the pipe and my life.
PS. Follow the adventures of Zazi, the Indonesian Athlete, Teen Model & Snowboard Girl, on Instagram: Click Here!
