A word to the wise is sufficient, they say. Behind all the greats, there is one piece of advice that is the cornerstone of their success. Having recently won the Olympic gold with the USWNT, Sophia Smith is no exception. The Portland Thorns forward shared invaluable advice from her father, which she applies not just in her career but in almost “every aspect of life.”

No wonder Smith took this advice to heart, standing out in the recent Summer Games, having notched 3 goals and 2 assists. But what exactly were the words of wisdom from her dad? Roll the drums. “At a very young age, my father told me to never let anyone take my confidence away. That doesn’t apply only in sports, but in every aspect of life,” she said, during an interview with Digital Journal.

She insisted that all individuals know their own strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities. The 24-year-old revealed that from the early days, she was taught not to let anyone steal her confidence, otherwise, other people would have the authority to dominate you. “I was taught from a young age to never let anyone take that confidence away, because the second you do, they hold all the power, and they have control over you in your life,” she elaborated.

The 24-year-old urged them to avoid showing signs of low confidence and weaknesses. Otherwise, people may take advantage of one’s situation. “So, remain confident and know that you are here for a reason. Always remember that,” she concluded. This is certainly quite bold advice from Sophia’s dad, which many can apply to their lives as well. This explains why the Portland Thorns star seemingly carries a strong mindset.

Earlier, Smith shared the secret spice of her life, revealing that she has stopped dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Instead, she is busy enjoying “the process that we call life” and cherishes every second. Likewise, “Trusting the process,” is how Sophia defines her current chapter in life. This isn’t the only secret to her success. Her guiding mantra is “Protect your peace,” as she focuses on preserving inner calm and well-being. Despite the many challenges that could disturb her serenity, the US international tries to control her actions and environment. However, there was a time when she found herself completely lost.

A career-defining moment that ‘taught’ the hard way of life to Sophia Smith

During her second year at Stanford University, Sophia Smith faced a turning point when she was sidelined by a significant injury. Reflecting on this career-defining moment today, she feels a deep sense of pride for overcoming the challenge that shaped her rise to the top of American soccer. “It taught me a lot about myself,” she said.

Fortunately, this remains the only major injury Smith has encountered in her career. It was also her first experience being out of action for an extended period after a reckless tackle resulted in torn ligaments and a broken ankle. Following eight grueling months of rehabilitation, Smith expressed her daily gratitude for being able to play the sport she loves, knowing it “can be taken at any moment.”

She continues to cherish every opportunity to lace up her boots and kick the ball. “Adversity makes us stronger, for sure,” she concluded. Perhaps it must have been the learnings from her father that helped her showcase a strong mentality and resilience through such difficult moments.