13/03/2025
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my water polo journey and where it’s taken me. Not everyone who plays this sport will go to the Olympics – and that’s perfectly okay. For a long time, I thought the only way to truly “make it” was to chase the Olympic dream. But here’s the thing: that’s not everyone’s path, and it doesn’t make your journey any less valuable.
I started playing in high school with big dreams: to play in college, travel the world, and make a career out of the sport I love. I wanted to compete professionally and experience the world through water polo. I didn’t have the drive to chase the Olympics, and over time, I realized that’s okay. It doesn’t make me any less passionate or less committed. Everyone’s path is different, and the beauty of sports is that there are so many ways to grow, learn, and achieve without following the same exact route.
It’s taken me years to get to this place of acceptance – to realize that the journey isn’t just about medals and titles. It’s about the relationships, the challenges, the wins, and the losses that shape us into who we are. My experiences, from playing for fun in high school to stepping onto the international stage for the first time, have shaped me in ways I never imagined. I’ve learned so much from every moment, and that’s what I carry with me.
To anyone out there chasing their dreams – remember, it’s okay if your dreams don’t involve the Olympics. It’s okay if your dream is simply to keep playing, stay active, or travel the world with your sport. Whatever your journey looks like, make it yours.