Growing up, I don't think I fully understood just how much the way we see ourselves can shape what we believe is possible.
As a professional footballer and someone who went on to study mathematics at postgraduate level, my journey has taken me into spaces I couldn't always have imagined myself in. It hasn't always been straightforward, and there have been plenty of moments when I've had to question my abilities, navigate expectations and remind myself that I belong. One thing I've learnt is that you don't have to see the whole journey to believe in what you're capable of becoming.
You are more than the labels placed on you
It's easy to absorb the opinions and expectations other people place on us. Sometimes we start to believe we're not academic enough, sporty enough, confident enough or simply not the type of person who belongs in certain spaces.
But who gets to decide that?
Your background, circumstances, grades, appearance or somebody else's opinion of you do not determine your potential. They are parts of your story, not the limits of it.
I studied mathematics at university while pursuing a career in professional football. There were times when I had to work harder to see myself in environments where I didn't always feel represented. I've learnt that belonging isn't always something you wait to be given. Sometimes, you have to give yourself permission to take up space.
Growth isn't always comfortable
We often talk about having a growth mindset, but what does that actually mean?
For me, it starts with understanding that where you are today isn't where you have to stay. In football, I don't become a better player by only doing the things I'm already good at. Growth comes from recognising where I need to improve, making mistakes, listening to feedback and showing up again.
The same applies outside of sport. You might not get the grade you wanted or the opportunity you worked hard for. It's okay to feel disappointed, but one setback doesn't have to become a statement about who you are or what you're capable of.
Instead of asking yourself, 'Why can't I do this?', try asking, 'What can I learn from this, and what can I do differently next time?'
That small shift in perspective can change how you approach challenges.
Stop waiting until you feel ready
One of the biggest things I'd encourage you to do is stop waiting until you feel completely confident before trying something new. Confidence doesn't always come before the opportunity. Sometimes, it comes because you've taken the opportunity.
Apply for the role. Put yourself forward. Try the sport. Ask the question. Speak up in the room.
You don't need to have everything figured out, and you certainly don't need to be the best person in the room to deserve to be there. Some of the most important moments in my journey have come from taking chances before I felt entirely ready. You are allowed to be a beginner, get things wrong and take up space while you're still figuring things out.
Be intentional about the person you're becoming
Personal growth doesn't always have to be dramatic. It's often found in the small decisions we make every day: how we speak to ourselves, how we respond when things don't go our way and the effort we put into the things that matter to us. You don't need to have your entire future mapped out at 15 or 16. But you can start getting to know yourself.
What matters to you? What makes you feel confident? What would you try if you weren't worried about what anyone else thought?
Give yourself permission to explore those questions. The aim isn't to fit into somebody else's idea of who you should be. It's to become more comfortable, confident and intentional in being yourself.
A final thought
Through my work with Beat the Block, I spend time with girls in schools and communities, creating spaces for conversations around identity, belonging, self-belief and personal development. One thing I continually come back to is how important it is that young people have the space to recognise their own potential, particularly when the world around them doesn't always reflect it back.
If there's one thing I'd like you to take away from this, it's this:
Don't let your current circumstances convince you that they define your future.
You don't need permission to be ambitious. You don't need to have everything figured out. And you don't need to wait until somebody else believes in you before you start believing in yourself.
Keep learning. Keep questioning. Keep putting yourself forward. You have so much more room to grow than you might realise.
