Hannah’s journey to rooted

My journey has been a wildly convoluted one, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is the (shorter) story of how I got to Rooted :)

Early Days

Like a lot of kids, I started playing soccer when I was five. And honestly? I wasn’t very good at it, haha. I wasn’t naturally gifted, but for some reason, I fell in love with this sport. And I was DETERMINED to improve at it. By middle school, I learned how to train on my own, watching every soccer video I could find, bugging my coaches with questions, and trying and failing. Bit by bit, I built myself into a player people probably didn’t expect.

By high school, my work felt like it started to pay off. I graduated from East Pennsboro High School in Pennsylvania as the school’s all-time leading scorer with over 200 points, two-time All-State, All-Region, and PennLive’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year. I also had success with my club team and committed to play soccer at the University of Nebraska.

Nebraska

I played soccer at UNL while earning my degree in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Science. And you could say things did not go as planned. I played my freshman season then suffered a long string of injuries culminating in 2 hip surgeries. Being sidelined for so long crushed me, but it also forced me to slow down in ways I never had before.

For one, it taught me how to see the game differently. I poured into film and tactics because it was what I still could do. Maybe more importantly, it taught me how use adversity as opportunity and how to see things less black-and-white: a situation could be objectively unfortunate and I could let myself feel that AND I could still find perspective and positives, all at the same time.

Photos Courtesy of Nebraska Athletics

JMU: A New Chapter

With two years of eligibility left, I transferred to James Madison University, looking for a new style of play, a chance to be closer to home, and an opportunity to pursue a graduate degree. This was never in the “plan”, but it turned into one of the best experiences of my life. I earned my Master’s in Exercise Physiology, played another season, and then stepped into an assistant coaching role after deciding to end my playing career.

And while I enjoyed coaching, at the end of this chapter, I was burnt out. I needed to step away from the game rather than hang on to soccer for the sake of it. I left the game knowing that if soccer ever called me back, it would be for the right reason.

Stepping Away

For two years, I didn’t touch a ball. I barely watched soccer. I didn’t think about it. I thought I was done. Instead, I poured myself into research – finishing my Master’s, falling in love with it, and deciding to move across the country to Eugene, Oregon to start pursuing my PhD in Human Physiology as part of the Oregon Performance Research Lab. For a while, I thought this was my new path.

But fairly early in the PhD process, I realized it wasn’t. While research can be incredibly valuable, it often felt isolating and lacked the tangible impact I craved. I was ready to pivot toward a career full of purpose, deep human connection, and meaningful experiences. I didn’t know what I would do next, but I knew it couldn’t be this, so I quit with no plan: terrifying uncharted territory for me.

South Eugene Girls Soccer

And then, almost by accident, soccer found me again. I was so lost, but somehow the Varsity Head Coach position for girls soccer at South Eugene High School opened up and almost serendipitously fell into my lap. I wasn’t looking for it, but I realized that maybe it would be the best way to feel tangible impact again. And from the very first day, something clicked. The joy, the purpose, the impact – it all came rushing back. This fulfillment is something I couldn’t have even imagined a year ago.

And it was here that I finally realized: this is what I’m meant to do.

Why I Coach

Soccer has been the source of some of my highest highs and some of my lowest lows. I’ve had injuries, surgeries, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and moments of wondering if I’d ever play again. And I wouldn’t change any of it. Those experiences are the reason I can connect so deeply with my athletes now.

I’ve been the go-to starter. I’ve been the kid on the bench. I’ve played from a wildly confident headspace. I’ve played out of fear of mistakes. I’ve been injured, overlooked, written off, and I’ve fought my way back. I know what ALL of it feels like. And it’s why I can connect so deeply with my players. I get you. I’ve been there. And I’m here for you through it all.

Why Rooted?

Rooted Coaching is my way of bringing that connection to more athletes. Yes, you’ll get the technical and tactical training. Yes, you’ll get film review, form feedback, science-backed support, and help through the college recruiting process. But more than that, you’ll get the mentorship, belief, encouragement, and love that every player deserves.

Because soccer is the language. But connection — that’s the mission.

Welcome to Rooted.