Anthony Youssef '24 Recruiting Profile

Anthony Youssef

Desert Christian Academy

Ready! Ready! Set go…  As I receive the ball my mind goes clear, everything around me stops, the air is still as I get ready to punt the ball. In a split second, everything goes wrong.

As I turn to the ball rolling away from me, my heart is racing and as I frantically chase the ball, I am pushed to the ground. No sooner did I begin to stand up than something felt wrong. I looked down at my hand and my heart instantly dropped. Running off the football field with a broken wrist, my first thought was, “will I still be able to play soccer?” It's all I could think about - nothing else; this made me realize how important it is to stop and take a moment to think about all my greatest athletic accomplishments and how they can be taken in a split second.

 I believe that no matter what it is, whether it is a setback or an opportunity, either one has a purpose to show you something that you thought wouldn’t happen. I believe that you will see things differently after something significant happens in your life because what would be the meaning of life if nothing purposeful happens?

If there was one thing I learned from injury, it’s that you get a lot of time to think and reflect on yourself. During that period, my mental state was the lowest it has ever been. Not only that, but my grades also took a significant drop. Looking back on it now, I see how much of my identity and my world revolved around sports and how much my life changed once it was taken away from me. Everything seemed to get harder and harder, physically, and not to mention, driving. I came to the realization that the simple things in life like eating or taking a shower, were daily activities in my routine that I took for granted because now, it required more focus. Sleeping was even more difficult! As an athlete, having your daily routine completely changed is frustrating. Not to mention, being a junior in high school was where I should be in my prime in terms of athletics.

Reflecting prior to my injury, I was a completely different person. I wasn't as disciplined as I am today. A setback is a setup for a comeback! Even though a setback like this takes a toll on your mental state and allows doubt to creep in, it's about how you approach your own problem. Instead of letting it get to me, I used it as a wakeup call that pushed me past my expectations, and I achieved more than I ever thought I would. All because I lost the ability to do the things I love to do the most, which is to play soccer, it forced me to realize who I am outside of sports. What would I be If I wasn’t an athlete? I am a son, a brother, a friend, and a pretty funny guy. As I look down at the scar on my wrist, I am reminded that through these types of moments, instead of using it as a bad memory or a setback, I think of it as a gain because I would not be the same today. That is why I am interested in health care, especially for athletes because I can give them encouragement and advice to not give up on their goals because of an injury or minor setback. It would be easier to empathize with them because I have been in the same situation as them. In doing so I hope to bring a sense of encouragement to my colleagues so that I may be an example of success to those who need it and leave behind a legacy that can help athletes find their full potential and grow outside of their sport.