Alongside football, I trained in taekwondo and became Welsh Champion at the age of 11. I also loved dance and swimming, but the pull of football was always the strongest.

At 18, I took a leap — crossing the Atlantic on a scholarship to play and study in California. It was a big move, and while the vision didn’t quite match the reality, it taught me more than I could have imagined. Injury and illness hit hard, and being 5,000 miles from home without a support system made it even tougher.

But those challenges reshaped me. I transferred to a new college in West Virginia, rebuilt my fitness, rediscovered my love for the game, and kept moving forward one step at a time.

I’m now studying Communication and New Media, and working toward an internship with a Fortune 500 brand studio in New York — something I’m genuinely excited about. The journey has been full of highs and lows. I’ve met some amazing people (and a few not-so-amazing ones), but through it all, I’ve learned exactly who I want to be and how to treat others.

Over the years, I’ve had a lot of coaches — but only a few who truly helped me grow, not just as a player, but as a person. That’s one of my biggest takeaways: not every coach lifts you — some can hold you back — but even they can teach you how not to be. The good ones, though, the real coaches, understand people. They see beyond the pitch. They help you grow as a human being, and that growth reflects in how you play. Those are the ones that stay with you forever.

The road has been far from straight, but I’ve come out of it stronger and excited for what’s next.

Looking back, I realise I’ve always gone after what I wanted, despite the setbacks along the way. If I could offer any advice to younger athletes, it would be this: believe in yourself, even when things get tough. Remember who you were before the challenges, and stay mindful of the obstacles — or people — that might try to hold you back.

Don’t let anyone take away your happiness or steer you off your path. Stay true to yourself and live life on your own terms. When you face setbacks, use them as fuel to come back stronger — ready to enjoy the game, and all the experiences life has to offer.