The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that you enthrone in your heart, this you will build your life by, and this you will become. - Anonymous

Its always an adventure… but a great one!! After a few delays I arrived in Sweden Wednesday night.  I had my first job with TikiTaka on Friday.  I met Borje and Tony Gustavsson; my bosses, at Tyreso's stadium; Tyresovallen. We met early and talked for a while.  We spoke about the plans for TikiTaka, what it is al about.  Tony was saying that we are educating quality coaches and developing players. Everything is quality!! They said that our main focus is on helping players, clubs and coaches achieve their dreams and reach their full, true potential. The conversation was getting my blood pumping! We have exactly the same views and same amount of passion; it is almost scary! 

Friday Tony had a 90-90 session with the coaches of Tyreso.  I introduced myself and met every individual coach. Tony gave a presentation to the coaches on the TikiTaka philosophy for 90 minutes. They we went to the field and he put the coaches through a 90 minute training session. It is extremely important that the coaches  actually experience what they will be coaching.  It was incredible and an amazing first day.

Afterwards, Tony and Borje said that on Saturday I would be in charge. I would have over 100 players, 20 coaches and one field! They said that the goal of this  clinic was for me to put the coaches through "TikiTaka" exercises and then give them the opportunity to coach.  I would be the one to guide them. 

The first thought in my head was, WOW! My first day I will be out of my comfort zone!   I work best when I am not in my comfort zone! I will be in charge of one of the best clubs in Sweden!!  Am I dreaming?  Lets do this!

I arrived to Tyreso pretty early on Saturday.  I gathered the coaches and had a meeting before the clinic. I showed them how I wanted the field to be organized and how the session was going to be run. I split the field up into four parts and I had a "demo" group in the middle. I was going to take the kids through a technical warm up, the kids would get a water break, I would demonstrate 3-4 drills and then they would find their coaches and the coaches would put their teams through the exercises. 

Before we went onto the field, I could tell the coaches were looking at me like "who is this girl?" I love the challenge and it is always fun to "shock" people. In our coaches meeting I told them that, what I am giving them is an outline but each exercise can be tweaked. It can be easier, more challenging or cater to a particular topic.  

We hit the field! I introduced myself to the players and the warm up began! The coaches were standing around and within minutes I looked up and saw them all frantically taking notes and some were even taking videos of me with their phones! The warm up was fun; the players were laughing and having a great time! I sent them for a water break told the coaches where I wanted them to stand with their teams to watch the demo. Then it began! I put one group though 3 drills quickly and then all the players went to their space on the field. 

I went around to each group and asked questions on what factors they could change to make it more challenging or a little easier. I asked them questions like "What factor can we change to focus on changing speed and direction quicker?" I asked every group different questions and some groups were already tweaking the drills on their own. The outline I created was perfect because you can make 20-30 different variations off of just 3 drills!! I brought them back into the demo group a few more times and continued to oversee the groups and of course we ended with playing! There is nothing better than playing the game itself.  The game is the best teacher!  

After the session was over every coach came up to me and shook my hand and said they felt inspired and had a really great time! They were impressed with the field set up and how it did not feel like there were 100 kids on one field.. there was still space left over!! They were all looking at me in a different way from when they had first met me. I have "won the hearts of the mob" 

There were a few players on the Tyreso Junior team that were in the session as coaches and they asked it they could join and watch me when I coach the players.  Tony and Borje asked me later if I would mentor them as well! I was honored! It will be great to have more player coaches!! I started coaching when I was their age and I am extremely lucky with the mentors and role models I have; it was nothing but the best!!  Now it is my turn to pass it on! 

I was on the bus back and I got a call from Borje. He was extremely happy and told me that the director of Tyreso called him and said that I brought happiness to the whole club… That meant so much and I felt like I was high, I was so happy; I couldn't sit still.

I called Tony shortly after and told him everything. I told him that the night before I went though my session so many times in my head; that I had a vision and today my vision came to life, but reality turned out to be better than I imagined! Tony said, he understood exactly what I was feeling and told me that he loves it because if he can inspire 10 coaches and those coaches use his vision then he has reached out to over 200 players!!!! I never thought of it like that and it just added to my excitement.  I never thought I would like "coaching, coaches" so much! 

I could not ask for a better start!  How could it get better? but then it did! I went and met my Swedish some of my best friends and celebrated the day with a great dinner and great people! 

While I am in Stockholm I am staying with my friend, Therese's parents! They are all the best and I am so happy to be staying with them! 

On Sunday I took the train to Borlange and I met my new team for the first time. We met at a ski resort. It was a team bonding event! Everyone seems so nice and I have a great feeling about the season!

I had my first physical training with my team last night! It was great and I will update you more about my adventure so far in Borlange and about my new team; Gustafs GoIF!

I will be very busy to say the least; playing, coaching, living in two different cities.. I love it! It is definitely my style  and I extremely grateful for these new and upcoming opportunities both as a player and as a coach. 

Extra!!

I have been making videos for TikiTaka and here is the video I have posted on my Facebook, twitter, etc It is technical work that I have learned from coaches in the past and also drills I created on my own! Enjoy!

"I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today." William Allen White

One weekend, Tony invited me out to the Advanced national Goalkeeper course to get some training. The coaches were in their final phase of the course; field testing and evaluation.   A few others and I served as players during numerous coaching sessions.   It was great! I went out to Ft. Lauderdale for the weekend and received two full days of complete soccer!

I had lunch with Tony and a few younger players.  One player was asking him about some of his experiences with the women's national team and he told them one off my favorite stories.. He talked about Brandi Chastain's penalty kick of the 1999 women's world cup final; a legendary shot that sent "ripples around the world!" 

The 1999 Women's world cup final was one of the most incredible games ever to be played! Over 90,000 people at the stadium and it was the most viewed women's sporting in history. The game was dramatic; with Michelle Akers getting punched trying to clear a ball off a header, Kristine Lilly saving it off the goal line, two overtimes.. Then to Penalty kicks.. Carla Overbeck, Kristine Lilly, Joy Fawcett, and Mia Hamm all beat Chinese goalkeeper Gao Hong while Brianna Scurry made an incredible save. 

 It was now Brandi's turn.. Early that year, the US faced China and lost in PK's. Brandi Chastain missed the PK..  

Tony says that Brandi wanted the PK! Penalty kicks are about confidence, not necessarily about skill. Brandi wanted it, but he said she was very predictable with her right foot. Tony told her that he would only let her take the PK if she took it with her left foot!!! She agreed.

  Brandi lined up as the fifth shooter and with her left foot she made history and sent the ball past Gao Hong and into the back of the net!  She dropped to her knees and whipped her jersey off in celebration as the whole US team raced onto the field in celebration!  It was an epic legendary game!

I still am in awe every time I hear this story. I am truly amazed that Brandi Chastian switched her PK to her left foot in one of the most crucial moments of the World Cup final!  I still can't get over it! We need more of this; passion, excitement, willingness to do whatever it takes..

While I was hearing Tony tell this amazing legend. I was thinking about some of my past experiences.  I had been a camper at Soccerplus for 4 years and I played for Tony at the club.  In my sophomore year I was at the summer camp getting ready for pressure training. Pressure training is basically different obstacles, challenges, and fitness with the ball. We had to be in groups of 4 and I had a great group! I was so happy that everyone I was with was a good player and I knew they would push me. 

Tony  came up to me and took me out of my group and put me in a group of three.. I was a little mad because I did not understand why he took me out and now I was in a group with an odd number.. But then, Tony walks up with Brandi Chastain herself, and said,"This will be your partner for today.." I thought my heart was going to stop and I think the other two girl's in my group heart did stop.  Me, Jackie Bachteler was about to do pressure training with Brandi Chastain.. Bring it on! 

                   

 


The first station was a rest station and it was juggling. I looked at her and told her I could beat her in this. Brandi looked at me in surprise but accepted the challenge. I won.. She is extremely competitive and almost looked mad. She did not like to lose; neither do I! Every station we were battling.  I felt like I was playing in the World Cup final. I was keeping up with her and at the end of the very last station I could not go anymore; I have given everything I had.   

That day I do not think I could have been anymore on a natural high! I got to train first hand with one of the greats and seeing it I knew even more how much work it was going to take to reach my dream. I saw it so vividly; I knew after that day that my dreams were more than possible. It did not matter what anyone said, I knew that my dreams are more than possible!

I had the privilege of playing with Brandi a few times. My club team demonstrated with her at the Champions clinic at Moeghan Sun and I saw her when I spent a week in Santa Clara.

Suddenly I snapped out off my day dream and I was back at the table with Tony and the other players.  The course ended and I left feeling even more motivated to train, play and be the best I can be; to be the go-to player. 

It has been an interesting few months to say the least but like always everything always works out.  I have a lot of really neat new opportunities. I have partnered with Led2Serve. I will be helping them start a soccer academy in Costa Rica and give back to different communities though this beautiful game.  It is an extremely exciting opportunity and I will be writing more about it very soon.  For a sneak peak please checkout the site and let me know if you want to take this journey with me and my Led2play team!  http://www.led2serve.org/journeys/journey-calendar/eventdetail/54/-/service-learning-led2play-soccer

  I got offered a job to work for Tiki Taka. Tiki Taka is a soccer company that teaches teams, individuals, clubs etc. the Barcelona style of play! (Right up my ally) My work with Tiki Taka begins next Friday and Saturday! They also have me in charge of player development on the girls side for Tyresö FF. Tyresö's top team won Damallsvenskan last year and it is where Marta is currently playing. I am overly ecstatic and extremely excited for this new opportunity. 

 

Lastly, I signed to play for Gustafs GoIF in Borlange. It is a new step and I am extremely excited to join the team and the club this season.  I get to continue my dream of playing abroad. I have found my American dream in Sweden.

To say the least I have been very busy! I have a lot to say about Led2Serve, TikiTaka and Gustafs. I will be on here a lot more!

Yesterday I had to go to my hometown post office to pick up a package. When I walked in the clerk saw my name and said,"I know you. I think you where in my son's class." I did not know her son but we were the same age when I asked.  All of the sudden she froze and said," I know why you don't remember.. I was a teacher aid when you were in fourth and fifth grade, you were sick and rarely every there." Her son went to a different school in town after the sixth grade.  I told her that I am healthy, feel strong and I told her a little bit of what I am doing now. She said she could not believe it. I could not believe that the last memory this lady had of me is when it all started.. and now I have conquered it.  I am completely different! 

Yesterday morning I became a little nervous, with some doubt and fears. After my encounter in the post office I thought what do I have to lose? I have nothing to fear! Sometimes I feel a little crazy at first with the choices I have made but they have always seemed to be the right and the best ones. I have had some an incredible experiences, have met some of the most amazing people, have gained some incredible friendships, done what I loved everyday, lived..  I am still here and I will continue to follow my gut, my heart and take on any chance and opportunity that awaits!