“You’re Not Your Injuries”: Jeremy Barfield (aka FlankThomas) on Resilience, Surgery, and Finding Freedom in a Better Brace
“You’re Not Your Injuries”: Jeremy Barfield (aka FlankThomas) on Resilience, Surgery, and Finding Freedom in a Better Brace
When a former MLB pro like Jeremy Barfield talks about injury and recovery, he is speaking from experience. Sixteen surgeries. Years in the minors. A mindset shaped by watching his father and brother thrive in Major League Baseball. In this candid conversation with Nicholas Strasser, MD, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician at Vanderbilt Health, Jeremy (a content creator known as FlankThomas) shares a year-long fight with a right-ankle injury, the choice to have surgery, and why the TayCo AthleticX Brace helped him get back to the things he loves.
From Baseball Family to Real-World Dad Mode
Baseball runs deep in the Barfield family. Jeremy’s great-uncle played in the Negro Leagues with Satchel Paige. His father spent 12 years in the big leagues. His brother now works in a front office. Jeremy carved out an 11-season career, learning how to keep moving when the schedule does not stop.
His first knee surgery came at 13. Over time, he learned to separate identity from setbacks. “It made me stronger. Not always physically, but mentally.”
The Injury That Would Not Quiet Down
A basketball rebound turned into a total inversion sprain. Jeremy heard the “snap-crackle-pop” every athlete dreads. He tried physical therapy and a stack of in-shoe braces. The pain kept waking him at 4 a.m. That was his cue to re-evaluate.
Imaging suggested peroneal tendon damage. In surgery, the physician found an accessory peroneal muscle crowding the space, something an MRI can miss. A large debridement created room for the tendons to glide.
Why a Different Kind of Brace Helped
Before surgery, Jeremy discovered TayCo Brace after exhausting traditional options.
Support outside the shoe. No squeezing or hot spots, with real stability for walking and daily activity.
Serious structure. Built for dynamic movement and planting.
Daily life first. “I just wanted to be a dad again,” he says. With the injury on his right side, driving in a walking boot was not possible. The brace helped him return to school drop-offs sooner, with his doctor’s guidance.
Post-op, he spent a few days in a boot, then transitioned to the TayCo RecoverX Brace. About two to three weeks after surgery, and under his care team’s direction, he moved back into his preferred TayCo AthleticX Brace. That earlier mobility supported both rehab and normal life.
Always follow your physician’s protocol for weight-bearing and device use. Individual timelines vary.
How He Decides When to Push
Years of rehab taught Jeremy to read his body’s signals.
Muscle work vs. joint pain. Shaking glutes during an exercise can be fine. “Grinding” in a joint is a warning sign.
Productive discomfort vs. problematic pain. Some discomfort is part of progress. Lingering joint pain the next day often means you went too far.
Modify instead of muscling through. Change angles, loads, or tempos to keep progress without flare-ups.
Dr. Strasser notes a timing truth that many athletes know. Sometimes earlier surgery in an off-season protects both the rehab window and the later performance window.
Advice for Active People in Their 30s and 40s
Have an orthopedic home base. Know who you will call before you need them.
Listen to your body. New pain patterns or nighttime pain deserve attention.
Train for life. Use yoga, smart cardio, and functional strength. Keep weight in a range that is kind to your joints.
Check the ego. You are not 20, and that is okay. The goal is to stay active with family for the long term.
Who Might Benefit From an Outside-the-Shoe Brace?
People with ankle instability who need real support without cramming a sore ankle into a tight sleeve.
Anyone cleared by a clinician to leave the boot and use stable, mobile protection that fits regular footwear.
Post-op patients whose surgeons allow controlled motion early in recovery.
Explore the TayCo AthleticX Brace for everyday stability and the TayCo RecoverX Brace for post-injury or post-op phases. Both are designed to help you move with confidence while you work with your care team.
Final Word
Jeremy’s mantra says it well: You are not your injuries. With the right medical plan, smart training, and equipment that supports real life, you can keep moving toward the life you want, from school drop-offs to weekend hoops.
Talk with your orthopedic provider to see if a TayCo Brace is appropriate for your situation and when to transition devices during recovery.
I had a 5th metatarsal Jones fracture, and after recovery, struggled with pain anytime I partially rolled up on the outside of my foot. The Tayco brace keeps me from rolling up onto the outside of my foot, and I am able to participate in sports without any worry.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your reivew, Dan! That makes us happy to hear you're able to get back to sports without any worry.
This brace is easy to put on (after doing it a few times). I’ve worn it for five days and there is already a significant reduction in pain.
I walk my dog 5 miles a day, so I’ve walked 25 miles with the brace on so far. I wasn’t confident that the strap that goes under my shoe would hold up, but it has. It’s a bit scuffed up, but I don’t see any wear or damage to it. It would be nice if this part could be replaced if necessary, but so far so good.
Thank you so much for the detailed feedback, Kevin! We’re thrilled to hear your brace is performing well and helping reduce your pain, especially after 25 miles of walking. The strap under the shoe is built to handle that kind of mileage, but if it ever does wear down, our support team can help with a replacement or warranty options. We appreciate you sharing your experience!
This brace has helped me so much! I am a horticulturist and walk on a lot of uneven ground which triggers old injuries from sports to flare up. I also wear the brace when I’m out on trails hiking. The only thing I would change or add to this brace is a bit more padding along the inner ankle area. Where I find there is some friction.
That is amazing to hear Joanne! We're so glad you've been able to get back to what you love to do! We'll ship you some C-pads you can add to the ankle area for extra comfort. Thank you again for sharing your experience!
I have not received the second order for comparison So far I am pleased. Where is second order?
Hi, Paul! Thank you for leaving a review. We unfortunately do not have a second order on file for you. Someone from our customer service team will reach out to help.
This brace is definitely a game changer. I can’t tell you how many braces I have bought. My daughter refused to wear them due to not feeling comfortable in her cleats. The brace has gotten her back out on the field playing 100% and feeling stabilized instead of hesitant.
Thank you so much, TayCo!
What an incredible win to hear! Thank you for sharing, Ginger. We know how tough it can be to find a brace that fits well in cleats and gives the confidence to play full speed. So glad the AthleticX Brace has helped your daughter get back on the field, feeling strong and supported.