What happens when the future you thought you could see suddenly disappears?

Former Florida Gators basketball star Patric Young had built a life around strength, competition, achievement, and independence. Then, in June 2022, a devastating car accident caused a spinal cord injury that changed the course of his life.

In this episode of the Embracing Brokenness Podcast, Patric joins Steve Adams for an honest conversation about suffering, identity, dependence, faith, and discovering purpose when life looks nothing like you expected.

Patric describes the journey through a powerful image: sometimes the streetlights illuminating your future become a flashlight—and eventually only candlelight, giving you enough light for today.

In those moments, he says, God asks:

Do you still believe I am who I am?

Do you still believe I am in control?

And do you still believe that I am crazy in love with you?

Steve and Patric talk about:

• How being an elite athlete shaped Patric’s identity
• The accident that changed everything
• Learning to accept dependence after a lifetime of physical strength
• Why suffering exposed the “idol of self”
• Wrestling honestly with God in adversity
• The difference between surrender and giving up
• Why Patric believes his best days are still ahead
• Discovering purpose in suffering
• The story behind Sit to Rise
• Why embracing brokenness can become part of our transformation

Patric also shares how his experience led him to establish a foundation helping others facing life-altering circumstances—and why he believes there is purpose even in the places we would never have chosen for ourselves.

Near the end of the conversation, Patric captures the heart of the episode:

“Embracing the brokenness, embracing it as your journey, as your story, as your unique path—I think that’s where the strength comes in.”

ABOUT PATRIC YOUNG

Patric Young is a former University of Florida basketball standout and professional basketball player, broadcaster, speaker, author, and founder of the Patric Young Foundation. His book, Sit to Rise: Turning Your Darkest Pain Into Your Brightest Victory, chronicles his journey through catastrophic injury, faith, resilience, and purpose.

LEARN MORE

Patric Young
https://www.patricyoung.com/

Sit to Rise on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Sit-Rise-Turning-Darkest-Brightest/dp/B0CN1SXL42/