When I was younger, I was always trying new things. Soccer, softball, you name it, I would try it. Nothing ever really clicked until I picked up a field hockey stick.

I loved everything about it. The intensity, the power I felt when I had control of the ball, and the feeling I got when scoring a goal. I knew this sport was for me. 

Most of all, I loved that it was something I could bond with my friends over while making new ones. I felt like I belonged and was a part of something important.

Practice was so fun!

I know, right?!

I started playing to have fun until I started to take it seriously. It was time for tryouts.

Let's do this!

I arrive at tryouts feeling so anxious. I had never done anything before that meant this much to me. I had to put everything out onto the field. "At least I'm giving It my best shot," I thought.

As tryouts continued, I did everything to stand out to my coaches. All I could do was hope they saw my potential and gave me a chance.

For the next week, I was constantly thinking about tryouts. I checked my phone often to be the first person to get the news. I started to doubt myself and how I played in front of everyone.

"Was it enough?" "Did I show everything I had?" "Did I give my maximum effort?"  I couldn't stop with these questions. None of them could be answered by me, they were all in the hands of my coaches.

Did I give it all I got?

Did I show Everything I have?

UGH!!

Finally, the dreaded notification came in, and I didn't make the team I was hoping for. My heart immediately crumbled. "This isn't fair," I thought. How could someone who wanted it so bad fall short?

WHAT?!

I spent that night reflecting on what I could have done better, and how I can make the best out of the season that now lies ahead. It was hard at the time, but this bump in the road motivated me to become a better player and person in the end.

With that, my mind was made, and I decided to put in the extra work on and off the field to make myself the best player possible. I could have chosen to be defeated but instead wanted to grow from the situation I was put in.

LET'S DO THIS!

So, I started going to the gym, doing open turf workouts and took leadership on my team. I wanted to be the strongest player physically and mentally to motivate the others around me.

YES LADIES!!

I made it a priority to go to the gym four times a week and went to the field whenever I had the chance. I set my mind to it, and I was not going to back down now.

Monday: Go to the gym after school

Tuesday: Go to open turf

Wednesday: Club Practice + Gym

Thursday: Go to the gym after school

Friday: Morning Lift

REPEAT!!!

I started getting stronger and faster each day.

I started to see results in my play and self-esteem over the next year. More people recognized all the work I put in and commended me for it. It was a fantastic feeling to have support from others and to know I wasn't in this alone. 

Looking good!

Good Luck at your game!

Have Fun!

Keep Working Hard!

A year of hard work and dedication had passed, and it was finally that time again. Tryouts. This time, I was confident and did not question myself. I had put in more work than anyone in the room and was excited to see the results I had been working towards for the past 365 days.

It was go time.