Soccer has taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of caring for both mind and body. It brings out toughness and strength, but also grace—and that balance is what makes sport, and the ability to move, so beautiful.

My D1 college soccer commitment didn’t come from a perfect, straight path. The recruiting process was full of ups and downs..emails that went unanswered, phone calls that didn’t last, moments of doubt, injuries, and constant pressure to prove myself. There were times I felt overlooked, but I kept showing up, kept working, and stayed focused on my goals. Every setback became fuel and passion. This journey taught me that success isn’t always pretty or linear, instead, it can be messy, unpredictable, and built on resilience. But that’s what makes finally committing so meaningful to me, knowing that my journey and work has just now started.

You have to believe in yourself when no one else does

Hannah wants young athletes to embrace challenges and grow stronger through them. As she explains: “You have to go through the storm to come out stronger on the other side.” Her goal is to help others develop coping tactics so they can face anything with confidence: “When the storm comes, all they have to do is open their umbrella and walk through it so they can come out stronger and find such joy and success in the sport they love.” Her message is simple — you are capable of more than you think, and joy can always be found in the journey.

Hannah believes caring for the whole person is the foundation of success: “Make sure you take care of the person who makes up the athlete.” She writes daily encouragement on sticky notes and revisits them anytime negative thoughts creep in. She also makes a conscious choice to find joy in each practice: “It sounds so simple — and it truly is — when you make the choice to try and find joy in everything you do.” By having fun with teammates and leaving tough moments behind once she walks through her door, she avoids grudges and keeps a positive mindset: “At the end of the day, we are all here to win, so why would we harp on one practice out of the hundreds we will have?”

“I have been playing softball for about 12 years and it has made an incredible impact on my life and me as a person. I have made life long friendships with teammates and skills to help me throughout the rest of my life. Softball has taught me how to work as a team, work under pressure, and push myself to accomplish things I never thought possible. Growing up playing softball, I always felt like I could be better than where I was, like I was second best. After years of hard work (and still working), I have won a state championship, received college offers, and made friends who supported me through it all. Because of my amazing parents, teammates, and coaches I have been able to reach goals I never thought I could. My goal as a S4TK Ambassador is to help give the kids, who are less fortunate financially, the same opportunities I have been given.”

“I maintain a healthy lifestyle by being active at least 5 days per week; whether that is practicing, lifting weights, etc. To go along with that, a healthy diet goes a long way. So eating protein, fruits, vegetables, and drinking water it very important. My advice for conditioning and personal training is to find someone to work out with and push you but who is also pushing themselves as well. Sportsmanship is very important because if you want to be respected, you have to respect others. On the field, you can show sportsmanship by shaking the other teams hand, and off the field you can be there for your teammates.”

University of North Georgia Aug 2022

“I have been running for almost ten years and I have had the privilege to transform a sport into an outlet and enjoyable space of which I look forward to doing each day.”

“I maintain a healthy lifestyle by being active at least 5 days per week; whether that is practicing, lifting weights, etc. To go along with that, a healthy diet goes a long way. So eating protein, fruits, vegetables, and drinking water it very important. My advice for conditioning and personal training is to find someone to work out with and push you but who is also pushing themselves as well. Sportsmanship is very important because if you want to be respected, you have to respect others. On the field, you can show sportsmanship by shaking the other teams hand, and off the field you can be there for your teammates.”

Davidson College

“I never knew the impact soccer would have on my life. It wasn’t until high school that I realized I can play in college if I work hard. Injuries throughout the way tried to bring me down but I stayed resilient in my dreams. I want to other kids to be able to chase their dreams and to experience the joy playing sports can come with.”

“I maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising daily and eating healthy. I also get plenty of sleep. My biggest training tip is to drink lots of water, stretch, and have fun. I practice sportsmanship by making sure someone is ok if they get hurt and shaking hands after a match.”

Stetson University

I would like to have a camp or workshop that teaches leadership, nutrition, recovery, and skills to be the best athlete they can be. I also love teaching others how to use social media properly to share your voice, mission, and inspire others to have fun and enjoy life.

Aligned with the mission of the Goals 4 the Kids wellness program, Kingston Shaw emphasizes the importance of fueling your body with life giving foods, prioritizing rest, and staying disciplined in recovery to gain a competitive edge. He believes success comes from accountability by finding teammates and mentors who push you to greatness while also giving back by encouraging others to be their best on and off the field. His vision for camps and workshops that teach leadership, nutrition, recovery, and healthy use of social media mirrors the Goals 4 the Kids mission of helping athletes stay strong, motivated, and mentally happy as they pursue their dreams.

“Being a female athlete means showing the world that strength, smarts, and spirit can all fit into one unstoppable package. To every young girl out there: dream big, train hard, study harder, and never lose the fire that makes you you. Success isn’t about being perfect — it’s about loving the grind, laughing through the struggles, and believing you’re meant to shine. Keep chasing it, keep smiling, and trust me — you’re building something amazing.”

My advice to people just starting is to out work everybody be the best in the weight room, be the best in the class and off the field. My favorite quote is “hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard”. Went to the state championship for the first time in school history and I am the first person in my family to go to college.

“To me, sports are extremely important for kids to get involved in because it allows kids from any background to come together and learn a lot from one another. It also teaches kids the importance of hard work, discipline, teamwork and many more important life skills at a young age. For some kids, sports can be life changing the way it has been for me. After getting severe third degree burns on both my hands at just 2 years old I was very shy and embarrassed to hang around other kids outside of school. Participating in sports was a way for me to meet other kids and be more social. Sports has blessed me with many lifelong relationships, connections for a career after sports, a free degree from a top 10 university and now an opportunity to play in the NFL.”

Noah Devine believes that living a healthy lifestyle starts with faith, discipline, and respect for others. He focuses on training hard, making smart choices, and putting God first while remembering that football is only part of who he is. What began as a way to stay out of trouble quickly turned into a true passion, leading him to earn a full scholarship and play at Bethune Cookman University. Noah inspires young athletes through his powerful reminder that ‘Understanding that a sport does not define you and your true identity within highlights the real person you are.

“Always prioritize your mental and physical health—without it, true success isn’t possible. It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of sports, school, and life, but stay focused on your goals. Remember, confidence and cockiness are not the same. Just as being humble doesn’t mean lacking confidence. Honorable athletes strive to improve and master their craft while staying grounded and respectful in their journey.”

” I’ve always taken pride in being a leader on my volleyball teams. Volleyball is more than just a hobby—it’s a passion I’ve dedicated my life to. I want to inspire younger athletes to stay motivated, push through tough times, and keep working toward their goals, because in the end, the effort is always worth it.”

“I have played sports since I was 4 years old. I’ve played baseball, basketball, and now I have committed solely to football. Through sports, I have become acquainted with individuals from many different areas. I love that sports has expanded my circle of friends. My teammates are some of my very best friends and my coaches have become my mentors. I value the opportunity to work as a team for a common goal. It makes me want to be a better person, a better leader, and a more determined, yet respected player.”

“God has given me a gift. Because of this, I make it a priority to take care of my body by eating right and regularly working out. At school, I give my teachers the respect they deserve, and I keep my grades in top shape not only to stay eligible for playing, but also because I value the importance of being educated.”