Motivation and the desire to succeed is one of the biggest pros of being an athlete. In high school I played soccer and ever time I stepped on the pitch I would turn on a mental switch which would allow me to play as good as I wanted. Now, being a sophomore in college, I find myself in scenarios where I can apply the same tactics I use to use as player. One of the greatest gifts ever given to me was the permission and funding of my family to play youth soccer. Starting at the age of 4 I would play weekly in my Redding Park and Rec soccer games. As I became older the games went from having fun to being all business. As the games became more intense as did my life. This came hand-in-hand with my level of maturity and desire to become successful. My senior year of high school my aunt passed away from breast cancer. I was emotionally destroyed and on the verge of self implosion. My grades went down, my social life began to fall apart and worst of all I burden with sadness