How Soccer (Football) Prepared Me for Entrepreneurship

Apr 30

Sitting on the bench my freshman year of high school was the first time I experienced performance anxiety in the sport I loved. I remember teammates cutting corners on runs, people taking shortcuts, and me repeating to myself:

“Keep working. Stay in your lane. One day, it will pay off.”

The work ethic I built through soccer eventually opened the door to an academic and athletic scholarship at a D-II college in North Carolina. I quickly made my mark—starting as a freshman, becoming team captain by my junior year, and gaining opportunities to play semi-professionally in the Premier Development League.

I even had the chance to play on the reserve team of a pro club after graduation. But I made a choice—I turned it down to be with my son up north (something I have rarely shared until now).

Throughout my career, I played in multiple leagues, traveled for pro trials overseas, and took risks chasing my dream. I was promised opportunities by agents that never came through, moved to countries where I had to learn new languages, and even took on massive debt in the process.

At the time, I had no idea these experiences would prepare me for entrepreneurship. But they did.

The Entrepreneurial Lessons Sports Taught Me

1. Rejection Is Part of the Game

At age 11, I got cut from the All-Star team—my first taste of rejection. I cried in my childhood living room, but my granddad (Pa) simply said,

“You’ll get it next year.”

That moment shaped me. I learned that rejection isn’t the end—it’s a setup for the next opportunity.

In business, I faced similar challenges:

I tried multiple sales jobs (call centers, retail, door-to-door).
I launched several online businesses, including Amway.
I pitched ideas that didn’t get funded.

But rejection didn’t stop me. It just made me more resilient.

2. Success Comes From Taking Action—Not Waiting for the Perfect Moment

I started Mentally Shredded with nothing but a name on a shirt.

I didn’t know how to file an LLC or trademark a brand—but I figured it out.

I didn’t know what it meant to run a nonprofit—but I learned along the way.

We hosted our first event in 2022 with no guarantee that people would show up. Now, we’ve been part of 20+ events, including international stages like Hyrox, and have hosted seven of our own.

Entrepreneurship, like sports, is about adapting. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you’ll never start.

3. Adaptability & Coachability Win Games—And Business

On the field, I had to:

Adjust tactics in real-time when an opponent switched formations.
Trust my instincts—whether to dribble, pass, or shoot.
Stay coachable to get more game time.

In business, it’s no different:

If something isn’t working, change it. (We’ve evolved our branding, mentors, and board members.)
Stay open to feedback. (Growth requires adjusting when needed.)
Know when to take the shot. (Opportunities come, but hesitation can cost you.)

Everything I learned on the pitch made me a better entrepreneur and leader.

4. Leadership & Communication Are Everything

In soccer, a silent team loses. Communication is the difference between winning and losing. A simple call like:

“Defender on your left!” → Can prevent a turnover.
“I’m open!” → Can set up the game-winning goal.

In business, leadership isn’t just about running a company—it’s about leading a team, building trust, and making sure everyone moves in sync toward the vision.

No one is truly self-made.

As I write this, I know Mentally Shredded wouldn’t exist without:

My faith
My family & friends
My mentors & coaches
My board members & volunteers

The game of soccer is called “the world’s language.” And through it, I learned to navigate, communicate, and lead—not just on the field, but in business and life.

Final Thoughts: Play the Game, Take the Risk, and Keep Moving Forward

If you take nothing else from this, remember this:

- Rejection is not the end.
- The perfect moment doesn’t exist—start now.
- Adaptability is key.
- Leadership is about communication and trust.

The same skills that made me a great athlete are the ones that push me forward in entrepreneurship. Whatever your game is, play it.

Until next time—I love y’all. Peace. ✌🏾