What is it like
being a professional athlete? What is it like to travel the world? What is it
like to play for your country? What is it like to go to the Olympics?
The answers to these questions may surprise you. Because
the glorified life that may be projected by many professional and Olympic
athletes, is not the life that all of us “professionals” live.
This is my real story about my journey with USA Field
Hockey and I want to share with everyone just what it is really like. Don’t get
me wrong, I wouldn’t be here doing what I am if it wasn’t for the love of the
game. At the end of the day, I love the sport of field hockey, I love my
teammates, and I love being able to represent my country more than any
sacrifices and struggles I’ve had to go through!
First off, let me start by saying that I am so fortunate.
I grew up in a family that gave me every opportunity to succeed in whatever
avenue I so chose. I was privileged to go to great schools and try any sport I
set my mind to. That is a huge reason I am here today. But even though I had
these opportunities, nothing has been handed to me. I still had to work
extremely hard to excel on and off the field. I still had to earn it.
I often read much of what the US Women’s Soccer players
write about their struggle for equal pay, facilities, and treatment as their
male counterparts. I also read many of the stories and struggles faced by other
Olympic athletes like myself, in lesser known sports. There are some
similarities, but there is also stark contrast. I want to share what it has
been like for me.
What is it like
being a professional athlete?
For me, being a professional athlete should mean that you
play your sport for a living. This, to me, would mean that you get paid enough
to cover your expenses in order to train and thrive. To be the best in the
world, you must train pretty much year round, you need to be able to eat the
right foods, rest properly, and not worry about the stresses of money. So here
is where I’m going to talk about the money! We don’t make anywhere near what
NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, even MLS makes. Not even close. We don’t even make a
quarter of what the talented women of the US Women’s soccer team makes. For my
teammates and I, like many Olympians, we live just above the poverty line. And
I consider us some of the lucky ones. I can live off of that. We don’t get
housing or other living expenses paid for. Many live with teammates in order to
share costs. We are fortunate that all of our travel, including housing, food,
etc. are all covered when we go to tournaments and games overseas! We all look
forward to these tournaments, not only because it is a test of our abilities,
but because we save money when we travel! (I’m not kidding about this one!) It
is actually quite amazing that some have even saved up enough for down payments
on a house (well, a small house in Lancaster, PA! J). We have learned to become
pretty money savvy! Field hockey isn’t a hugely popular sport that garners lots
of outside sponsorships. Due to this, some have chosen to find part time jobs
that are flexible on hours or let them work from home. I personally, did not
feel I had the mental or physical capacity to work on the side and still be at
my best for every day of training. Yet, some don’t have a choice financially.
This is the dilemma for us as professional athletes. And this is on top of
getting a paid more than we had been in years past. But I don’t have to sit at
a desk all day, I get to work outside, and I get to do what I love. I still
consider myself lucky! But hopefully, one day, the future USA Field Hockey stars
will have more than we did!
What is it like to
travel the world?
I’ve been playing field hockey for 17 years. Over half of
my lifetime. In that time, I have traveled to more countries than I could have
ever imagined! Hockey has brought me to 5 continents and 13 different
countries. I’ve played against 31 countries in over 200 games for my country. Although
we are traveling for business (games) and we rarely get more than a day (if
that) to be a tourist, I have still learned so much about the world and about
other cultures from all of these experiences. Just seeing other countries,
interacting with the people there and being immersed in their world, if only
for a short time, has really opened my
eyes to how people live differently. It makes me appreciate America and miss
home. But it also allows me to see the world through others eyes. Traveling has
made me more aware of world issues and has helped me understand how to see
through other perspectives. There are drastic distinctions between how people
in China live to those in Azerbaijan. The foods Indians eat are contrast
greatly with those in England. The humble, quiet nature of the Japanese is
offbeat from the upfront Dutch. (Don’t get me wrong, I love the Dutch and very
much love their culture after living and playing there for a season!) At times,
I do wish I could have been more of a “tourist” in many of the places I’ve
been, but I am so incredibly thankful to have been able to learn so much about
the world and see some unbelievable countries!
What is it like to
play for your country?
Despite the money, this is the real reason why I continue
to show up every single day and push myself past limits I didn’t even know were
capable. It is difficult to put into words just what it feels like to play for
your country. Putting on the red, white and blue with USA emblazoned across
your chest represents so many things. I get a wave of emotions every single
time. When I put on my jersey, pull up my socks, and grab my stick, I know
every hour, minute and second of hard running, diving, lifting, pushing, and
pulling my body has endured has been worth it to arrive at this very moment, prepared,
confident and excited to put it all to the test. Competition fuels me. But
walking out onto the field, when I hear the USA chants coming from the energetic,
watchful crowd, I am brought back to a bigger purpose. I was once that little
girl in the front row, eyes wide, smile beaming, with a world of possibilities
in front of me, watching my heroes show their strength, courage, determination
and heart. I want to show that impressionable mind that her dreams can come
true! I want to encourage her to one day be even better than me! But I look
past this child to her parents, to my parents, to all Americans and I am
inspired on another level. Sport can bring so many people together! When the
stands fill with the buzz and excitement of a nation, there is an incredible
energy that allows me to forget the world and live in the moment. When I stand
in front of the American flag, one hand over my heart and the other around my teammate,
proudly singing the National Anthem, I fight back tears every time. Those
moments are truly about something bigger than myself and our UN1TED team. I
know my teammates would agree that there is nothing better than standing
together, as teammates, as fellow Americans, in uniform, ready to show the
world what Team USA is all about!
What is it like to
go to the Olympics?
THE OLYMPICS. Wow. Unbelievable. I was blessed to go the
London 2012 Olympic Games and I am just as blessed to be just days away from my
second Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016. Although this is my second
Olympics, it is not any less special. Each Olympics and it’s build up is
totally different. The team, the way we qualified, it is all a process. I have
had my dreams set on the Olympics since I was a little girl. US Women’s soccer
played a huge role in my childhood dream, which evolved into a life goal, and a
reality. To be joining the most elite athletes in every field of sport is
amazing. It is the pinnacle of an athlete’s career. Greater still, is what the
Olympics represents. The world coming together, to celebrate peace and pursuit
of greatness in each and every person competing, no matter the gender, race,
religious affiliation, or other categorizing aspect. Each athlete proudly
wearing its countries colors under the Olympic Rings. I am excited to be a part
of the world’s greatest sporting event (and probably the world’s greatest
event), and I can’t wait to share the rest of my journey with you! In a world
full of chaos and contrast, there is no better time than now for the world to
come together and celebrate all of its people once again!
I’ll leave you with this:
The Olympic motto:
CITIUS – ALTIUS – FORTIUS [Faster – Higher – Stronger]
The Olympic creed:
“The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to
win, but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the
triumph, but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to
have fought well.”
Time to fight well. GO
USA!
