Paula’s Full Story:

What is one mental obstacle you’ve had to overcome in your sport?

One of the hardest mental obstacles I have had to overcome in soccer was losing my confidence and feeling like I did not truly belong to a team.

When I was playing in Spain, I was one of the youngest players connected to the first team. I trained with them every day and worked extremely hard, hoping I would eventually earn the opportunity to step onto the field. However, I did not receive any playing time with the first team. On the weekends, I would go down and play with the second team, even though I had not trained with those players during the week.

That situation left me feeling caught between two teams. I trained with the first team, but because I never played, I did not feel fully part of it. At the same time, I played every weekend with the second team, but because I did not regularly practice with them, I did not feel completely connected to that group either.

Even though I had good friends and was still doing the sport I loved most, I felt as though I did not belong anywhere. I was present every day, putting in the work, but I did not feel like I had a true place or role within either team.

Mentally, that was extremely difficult. I began to connect my lack of playing time with my value as a player. I convinced myself that I was not good enough for the first team, and I became very hard on myself. Over time, the situation damaged my confidence and made me question my abilities, even though I was training consistently and continuing to compete every weekend.

Overcoming that experience meant learning that my value as an athlete could not depend entirely on a coach’s decision, the minutes I played, or which team I was assigned to. I had to rebuild my confidence and remind myself that working hard without receiving immediate recognition did not mean I was failing. That period taught me how important belonging, confidence, and mental well-being are in sports, and it helped me become more understanding of athletes who may feel unseen even when they are showing up and giving everything they have.

What do you tell yourself when things get tough?

When things get tough, I remind myself to focus on what I can control. I cannot always control the situation, the outcome, or the decisions other people make, but I can control my effort, my attitude, and the way I respond.

I usually tell myself that I can do it, that I have worked hard for this, and that I am capable. I try to replace negative thoughts with reassurance and positive self-talk because I know that the way I speak to myself can affect how I perform and how I handle difficult moments.

I also try to embrace the struggle instead of immediately fighting against it. I stay present, take things one moment at a time, and remind myself that the pain or frustration is temporary. Most importantly, I remind myself that I am more than an athlete and that one difficult moment, one bad performance, or one setback does not define who I am.

Even when the situation is hard, I try to look for something positive or something I can learn from it. Tough moments are uncomfortable, but they often teach me the most about my resilience, my character, and what I am capable of overcoming.

What does being an athlete mean to you?

Being an athlete means much more to me than simply playing a sport. It is a lifestyle and a way of approaching everyday life.

Through sports, I have learned discipline, commitment, resilience, and the importance of making sacrifices for the goals that matter to me. Being an athlete has also given me a strong sense of community. It has taught me how to support others, be a good teammate, and continue showing up even when I am tired or things are difficult.

It has also helped me develop values that I can carry into every area of my life. I have learned how to handle pressure, accept feedback, stay accountable, and keep working even when progress is not immediate.

To me, being an athlete is about how you carry yourself both on and off the field. It shapes the way you respond to challenges, treat the people around you, and commit yourself to becoming better in everything you do.