The "Macalester Scotlight" is a special feature series that runs throughout each sports season and highlights individuals within the Macalester College Athletics Department who have a unique story to share.

Link to "Scotlight" video on Taylor Tinkham

For most collegiate student-athletes, learning to endure pain and push through physical challenges to continue to participate in one's sport is almost as routine as learning skills to improve performance on the playing field. But how should one respond when physical pain becomes so unbearable it threatens to prematurely end a glorious collegiate career? For Macalester College volleyball player Taylor Tinkham, learning to listen to her body saved her college career and helped her discover a new passion and appreciation for her health.

Last September, Tinkham, who has been playing volleyball for nine years, suddenly began experiencing intense pain in her back which quickly made it difficult for her to compete at her very best. After seven long months and visits to a handful of doctors throughout the state, Tinkham was diagnosed in April with a condition called syringomyelia - a condition that causes a cyst, or syrinx, to form in the spinal cord.

“People don't know much about [syringomyelia],” said Tinkham. “It can happen a number of different ways. The two main causes are usually trauma or a brain malformation. My condition is very different in that my doctors think I was born with it. It runs throughout my entire spinal cord and causes pain in very specific areas in my back.”

Tinkham's condition is complicated though  because she also suffers from scoliosis, which is common with people diagnosed with syringomyelia. Doctors are unsure whether the strain on her back muscles is directly affected by the syrinxes or tension from herscoliosis.

“It's all still a mystery,” said Tinkham.

For the Scots' middle hitter, being diagnosed with this condition meant her playing career might end early. Despite this looming possibility, Tinkham wasn't discouraged and quickly began seeking alternatives to fill her time.

Around Easter, the St. Louis Park, Minn., native was home with her family and entered a friendly hula hooping contest. She quickly realized that she was pretty good and began looking online for information about hula hooping. Tinkham discovered a whole community in the Twin Cities area based around 'flow arts' - a term used for movement-based art forms incorporating dance and expression of movement such as hula hooping, taichi, poi spinning, juggling, martial arts and modern fire dancing.

Through her research, Tinkham found a local group called 'Hoop Twin Cities.' She began taking hooping classes, attending 'hooplas' and making her own hoops.

“I completely fell in love with it,” said Tinkham. “Hooping is an amazing core workout, and there is a fun, creative focus that comes out of it. It was the best thing I think I could have found.”

For Tinkham, hooping not only brought new joy to her life, but it also has allowed her to continue to train for the upcoming volleyball season. Hooping helps her strengthen core muscles and alleviate some of the pain in her lower back.

In addition to hooping, Tinkham has adopted unique therapies such as TRX Suspension Training, which allows her to strengthen her muscles and increase her flexibility without the strain associated with traditional weight training. She also limits the amount of repetitions she takes during practice and works with the athletic trainer during practice to strengthen her core muscles. Tinkham said she does what she can off the court to show support for her teammates.

“My team has been so supportive and I want to be there competing in conference games for them,” said Tinkham. “They all know that I'm doing my best off the court for them.”

Though Tinkham works everyday to relieve her pain and condition for the volleyball season, she has learned the importance of recognizing one's limits and not pushing too far.

“[Working to overcome my condition] has made me a lot more aware in general,” said Tinkham. “Unlike a lot of athletes, I definitely don't have the attitude to keep going and push through the pain. You have to be very aware of your body and what's going on around you to get through challenges. I have really come to believe that you have to listen to yourself.”

Not only has Tinkham gained a heightened sense of awareness about her physical capabilities, but she has also developed a greater appreciation for her health and her network of support, despite the challenges she faces each day.

“For the first time ever, I feel completely blessed that this hasn't affected me like other people with [syringomyelia],” Tinkham said. “There are people with my condition who lose complete functioning in their legs due to neural damage. Others lose control of their bladder. There are awful things that happen. I do have to get MRIs every eight months, but I am so relieved it isn't worse.

“[This challenge] has definitely made me a lot more thankful for the [Macalester volleyball] program. The girls I have surrounding me are so supportive.”

Though Tinkham's daily battle with her syringomyelia isn't an ideal situation for any student-athlete entering their senior season of collegiate competition, she has definitely learned to adapt to changes and find happiness in other areas of life. She hopes that others can take away that same simple message from her story.

“There are always alternatives and more to look forward to in the world,” Tinkham said. “Hooping has brought me so much joy and I've learned that there is always something more out there.”