Jennifer Muñoz -Club América Feminil
At what point did you decide you wanted to play soccer at this highest level?
I decided towards the end of my senior year of college. I was actually going to hang up the cleats until I got a call about open tryouts here in the states and decided to go for it. Now I’m living in a different country playing for the biggest team in Mexico.
What makes your story unique?
This one was a hard one. I've never really thought about what makes my story unique. I think personally, the people that have helped me get to where I am today is what makes my story so unique. All the sacrifices they and I have made, such as missing school dances or stuff that normal kids usually do, at the end of the day have all been worth it.
What is one obstacle you’ve had to overcome that most people don’t know about?
Mental health. I think athlete’s mental health is often overlooked, especially at the highest level. My sport is my job and at times it can definitely be a little overwhelming. Social media also plays a huge role in that. If you look at my Instagram, it seems like life is perfect, but no one knows what happens behind the scenes or the everyday struggles. What helps me is enjoying the moment and knowing that I have reached my dream as a pro soccer player but there’s always room for improvement on and off the field as a person and a human being.
Describe the emotions you felt when you first moved to Mexico to play professionally but were in a country that didn’t speak your first language.
It was definitely nerve racking. I was really out of my comfort zone - living in a different country, not knowing anyone. If you asked me a year ago if I could see myself living in Mexico I would have said no. The language barrier was one of the hardest things to get adjusted to, but looking back, I've come a long way. I have matured and grown so much over this past year and I’m really grateful for that.
What are the best and worst parts about being a professional soccer player?
Being a pro soccer player has its ups and downs. Some of the best parts are the friendships you make and how much you grow as a person on and off the field. Being a pro athlete has taught me so many lessons that I have carried with me throughout my everyday life. Along with the ups comes the downs such as being away from family, and missing birthdays and stuff like that but in the end it's all worth it and I’m living my dream.
Do you feel any extra pressure with such a large social media following? What has that experience been like?
I don’t see it as pressure, I see it as a privilege. Having a big following allows me to have the platform to inspire. I don’t see it as anything bigger than what it is. I am really thankful for my following and I would be the same person with or without it.
What advice would you give young athletes trying to play at the highest level?
I stuck to three things growing up that I still stand by today: One, do the extra work, I know that sounds cheesy but you can’t expect to perform at the highest level doing the bare minimum. You need to be focused and disciplined to work even on days when you aren’t feeling it. Two, I would remind everyone that no one is perfect. You're going to have bad games or setbacks but the most important thing is to learn from your mistakes and know that it is OK. Even the best athletes in the world make mistakes. Three, enjoy the growth, the process and your journey to getting to where you aspire to be. Sometimes it's easy to forget how far you’ve come or to just live in the moment. Even now, I have so many things going on that I forget to be in the present. Enjoying what you do is one of the many purposes in life that I live by.
