A New Season

I am officially done with competitive sports. 

This feels like a weird thing to say, especially since soccer and track have been such a huge part of my life for the last 10 years or so. I didn’t grow up being an athlete, but I guess you could say that I’ve grown into it. As much as I love getting to call myself an athlete, I’m learning that it is not the most important thing about me. It never was and it never will be. 

As I transition into this next stage of life, I am thrilled to continue being involved with both track and soccer through coaching! This transition has been both amazing and challenging. I’m learning new things about myself, about others, and about God as I step into the role of coach. 

And God has been so faithful throughout all of it. Coaching high school track for the first time has been especially stretching, and I’ve felt like giving up many times. Yet each time I doubt my decision to coach, God gives me yet another reminder of why I’m here. He is reminding me that he has placed special people in my life for me to encourage and to encourage me. He was faithful throughout my time as an athlete, and he has continued to be faithful as I step into coaching. 

As I reflect on the changing seasons in my life right now, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I’m so grateful for all the lessons I learned through track and soccer. I’m grateful for all the people I met and all the memories I made along the way. I’m so grateful for everything I learned from my coaches and for the ways they shape the way I coach now (special shoutout to Coach Mickey Miela for all the wisdom, advice, and encouragement on this journey - thank you!) 

All that to say, this is a bittersweet transition but I know and believe with all my heart that God is continuing to do new and good things here (Isaiah 43:19)! Also please enjoy these photos from my “bonus season” of soccer this fall…and the joy and confusion I felt while switching sports for the last semester of college! :)