Hello all,

It’s been a while since my last update on here. After beating cancer in October 2020, I dedicated myself to intense training, shedding the weight gained from the prednisone during chemo. Finally in the spring of 2021, I was able to play my first game after the disease, which was also my final collegiate match. I remember the song "Deep End" by Lecrae playing on my phone on repeat before stepping onto the field. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result that we wanted— I remember dropping down to my knees and sobbing as the final whistle blew. Other than hearing my mother cry when I told her  my diagnosis, this was the hardest moment of my life.

After that day, I started my journey to play professional soccer and began receiving contracts to play overseas. However, the constant pain I was (and still am) in, a consequence of the horrible disease, ruined my comeback. Mentally struggling in early 2022, I faced the darkest period of my life, ultimately deciding to walk away from the sport I once loved and trained for since I was 7. Despite believing in a potential return with PT and therapy, the toll on my mental health pushed me to hang up my cleats.

Post-soccer, met amazing people, including my best friends Ash and Ché. In the summer of 2022, I got into corporate sales, a career path I told my parents I would never be in— I used to tell them that being in the corporate world was depressing… but there I was and here I am. I eventually moved out of my parents house, and moved into one of my dream high-rise apartments in Dallas. Therapy was working significantly, and I was starting to heal from my cancer ordeal. I had a few trial and error situations that sharpened my focus and increased my standards.

A little while after working in sales, I fell in love with the idea of financial abundance and freedom. I fell in love with the idea of retiring early and giving my parents everything they’ve ever desired… Something I couldn’t do with the salary I would receive from playing professional soccer. I started to give myself everything I’ve ever wanted as an apology to myself for everything that I have endured. 

However, in 2023, I faced job loss in May, pivoting towards professional life coaching after obtaining certification. After submitting what seemed like an endless amount of applications, in October, I finally landed a sales role at a top global marketing technology company. All before I turned 24 last month. Despite thriving in my new career, the memory of quitting soccer, a sport that defined my life since childhood, looms in my thoughts daily. But I have to move on… I hate this feeling. This feeling doesn’t come close to a heartbreak that you get from an ended relationship… That’s too easy compared to this.

Nevertheless, I continue to thrive, now pursuing a different dream. Despite lingering thoughts of what could've been without cancer, I'm determined to move forward. While the ache of leaving soccer persists, I embrace the future, anticipating greater success and memorable experiences in 2024.

With love,

Nahla Simone