For VIS Mentor and Indiana Fever guard Ty Harris, a lot of work is done off the court. Since suffering a serious injury last season, her pregame routine has evolved, and she makes sure she gets her body ready before she steps onto the court. That routine involves eating a fueling breakfast, doing treatment and taking a nap for at least two hours. 

Even when the game ends, her work isn’t done. She prioritizes self-care because it makes competing at the highest level possible.

“Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is recover,” Harris said.  

Turning Injury Into Opportunity

After Harris suffered a knee injury early in the season last year, she had surgery and was forced to miss the rest of the WNBA season. As an athlete who was so used to competing, taking time off was a challenge for her.

At first, Harris felt upset, but she soon realized that a break from the sport could be a learning opportunity.

“My advice to you would be just take it as a reset and you get to have time to relearn yourself, rebuild yourself,” Harris said.

Harris said her recovery helped her address her long-term knee pain. 

She also recommended not stressing about things outside of your control. Rather than seeing recovery as a setback, she suggests seeing it as a reset.

More recently, Harris broke her fibula last month during the Fever’s final game of the 2026 season against the Minnesota Lynx, sidelining her for the remainder of the season. That injury meant navigating another recovery and applying the lessons she learned from last season.

Just as her first injury gave her an opportunity to reset, rebuild, and learn more about herself, this injury will provide a chance to work on those same things. 

Harris’ experience offers an important lesson for young athletes. Taking time to heal and listening to your body is just as important as the work put in on the court.  

Being Mentally and Physically Prepared

Her injury also reshaped her approach to basketball. Before, she didn’t pay as much attention to smaller details, but now her routine involves a variety of warmups, stretching and treatment. Her injury taught her the importance of taking care of her body.

Mental preparation is also very important to her success. Harris and her teammates practice box breathing and journal to set intentions.

To address anxiety that might creep in, Harris works with a sports psychologist, who encourages staying present and not thinking about “what-ifs”

“I've done my routine enough where I know when I feel my best self,” Harris said.

“I've done my routine enough where I know when I feel my best self.”

VIS Mentor Ty Harris

Run Your Own Race

When her shots aren’t falling, Harris tells herself she can still make an impact in other parts of the game such as with strong defense, with uplifting her teammates or bringing the energy.

She also tells herself not to compare herself to anybody else and encourages athletes to run their own race.

Harris wants athletes to understand that self-care isn’t selfish, but it means making sure you are able to perform your best. For her, that might mean cleaning her room, reading a book or walking her dogs. 

As she’s gotten older and gone through a major injury and surgery, she’s learned the importance of listening to her body. She’s learned the rest is essential, recovery is a part of training and how you take care of your mind is especially important.

She emphasized the idea that taking care of yourself is part of the hard work, not just something you earn after working hard.

“Taking care of your body and mind isn’t a bonus,” Harris said. “It’s part of showing up as your best self.”