ABOUT SAM
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN, BUT NEVER WAS
About eight years ago, I fell into the most dangerous trap of all: complacency.
With natural speed and athleticism, I excelled at soccer from an early age, reaching my peak in high school. This resulted in accolades, impressive stat lines, and college offers. All for a relatively low price.
It wasn't long before I discovered that former "all-star" coasting on God-given abilities and minimal effort lacked pride, determination, and accountability when faced with the inevitable challenges of college play.
I lost quickly lost confidence in my game as the competition grew. Eighteen years of incredible success and accomplishments were overshadowed by three long seasons of blame deflection, mental defeat, and squandered opportunities.
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As a rising senior, I was deemed "a liability on the field" and told I had virtually no chance of playing time.
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It was heartbreaking to think about spending my fourth and final year on the bench. After 21 years of committing my entire life to one sport, I quit two weeks before my final preseason.
MAKING UP FOR WASTED TIME
PRESENT DAY WORK
A full-time position with Special Olympics New Jersey opened the doors for me to connect with over 600,000 athletes and coaches across the country, while also developing programs for Special Olympics Africa athletes.
A few years later, I relocated to Colorado Springs, to join USA Swimming, the highest performing national governing body in the Olympic movement. In a world-class sports environment, I surrounded myself with top athletes, sports psychologists, and business minds, developing a deep understanding of what it takes to become a world-class athlete and goal-setter.
As a team, we developed the next generation of Olympic champions through planning, managing, and marketing high level athletes' programs, resources, and experiences.
My current focus is on helping businesses market their products and services to communities around the world, using innovative communication, data storytelling, and a community-first mindset to promote a healthy and active lifestyle.
I no longer dwell on what could have been, but rather focus only on what can be.
Throughout the season, I watched the team's progress from a distance, wondering if I had made the right decision. I experienced identity confusion after stripping myself of the "student athlete" title.
Beyond that, I was experiencing crippling disappointment at having given up on my team, my sport, and myself. For clarity, I gathered real-life examples of athletes who underperformed at the next level. "Busts", as fans like to call them. I studied their rise, their fall, and most importantly, their rebound.
A common thread ran through all chronicles: accountability. As I reflected on my own athletic career, I accepted all responsibility for what did not happen. Never again would I blame others for what was within my control.
I'm left with one question - what's next?
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With a renewed sense of control over my life, I decided to become the athlete I could have been. To make up for the wasted time. It was morning workouts, a strict diet, effective recovery, and no excuses that fuelled this new chapter and awakened my purpose.
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In order to prevent others from regretting their health and fitness choices, I was determined to connect with them and unlock their competitive edge.
In place of college soccer, I developed a relationship with Special Olympics. For the first time in a long time, I discovered an appreciation for the simple joys of sport. Additionally, it served as a wonderful platform for educating a community about healthy and sustainable living.
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