I grew up with a burning passion for the sport I loved.

It occupied every ounce of my being and my every thought was consumed with a pure aspiration to succeed. I wasn’t born with extreme athleticism or the natural ability to pick up a skill right away. However, this thought never even crossed my mind at the time, because I simply loved what I was doing. I was always the kid who wanted to stay late, do one more rep, play one more game, not because I was compensating but because I was truly in my element.

Passion is something that can’t be taught with any amount of coaching or encouragement. It is a God-given ability to feel so intensely for something, especially at a young age. Unfortunately, passion is something that can be taken away. However, it certainly isn’t taken away over night. It is a compilation of negative feedback, public humiliation, and deep seeded politics that you realize you will never overcome.

I learned this the hard way through not only my own personal experience with high school and club athletics, but also that of many of those close to me. Sometimes putting in all the work and giving it everything you have still isn’t good enough. The hardest part to take is the fact that it wasn’t because you didn’t stack up or statistically fell short, but because a coach simply had other plans.

“Somewhere behind the athlete you've become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back... play for her.” - Mia Hamm

I always looked to this quote for encouragement and inspiration when I began to feel down. But eventually, all I could do was acknowledge the fact that this little girl no longer existed. I genuinely couldn’t remember what it was like to walk into a gym without the feeling of panic or someone's eyes watching my every move. Without my hands shaking for fear of messing up and looking like a complete idiot.

Years of goal setting and confidence building can crumble into a pile of broken dreams and empty accomplishments right before your eyes. This sounds slightly harsh and overdramatic, but it truly isn’t when taking into account that the majority of those experiencing this are high school athletes. It simply isn’t “just a game” when you are dealing with a 16-year-old.

I personally have nothing to gain from writing this article besides the fact I get to share something I feel very strongly about. I have moved on with my life and now realize that there truly is a life beyond the walls of the high school gymnasium, even though it never seemed like like it. If there is one thing I have taken away from this experience, it is perhaps the most valuable life lesson a person can learn: Not everyone is going to like you, and sometimes your best isn't good enough for other people.

But at the end of the day, the people who are truly happy are the ones who are content with themselves and the infinite opportunities that life has to offer... beyond those gym doors.