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Between the Posts and Beyond the Pain
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What does it take to compete at the Division I level as a freshman goalkeeper? Beyond raw talent and technical skill, it demands extraordinary mental fortitude—something Mikayla McPheron demonstrated when she played half a season with a broken hand that nobody, not even her family, knew about.
In this revealing conversation, Mikayla takes us through her remarkable first year at Lemoyne College where she set a school record with 16 saves in a single game against Stony Brook. The physical demands of collegiate athletics hit her immediately: "There were games that I just had ice bags all over my body. My trainer would always joke with me because after every game I'd come in there and I'd walk out with like two to three ice bags." Yet despite this punishing routine, she persevered through an injury that would have sidelined most athletes.
The most profound challenges came during her seven-month recovery period when she couldn't fully participate with her team. This forced hiatus taught her invaluable lessons about patience and perspective: "Recovery is the most important thing and if I recover now, I'm not going to have these problems in the future." For young athletes facing setbacks, Mikayla offers straightforward advice: "Stay on your own path. You are your biggest enemy in your head... use your support system."
Beyond athletic performance, Mikayla discusses balancing academics with the rigorous demands of being a Division I athlete, noting how the first semester required significant adjustment to develop effective study habits while managing travel, practices, and games. Her story serves as both inspiration and practical guide for aspiring collegiate athletes navigating their own journeys.
Have a young athlete with big dreams? Share this episode with them and join the conversation about what it truly takes to compete at the highest collegiate levels!
Thank you for listening!
Chapters
1. Between the Posts and Beyond the Pain (00:00:00)
2. Welcome to Beyond the Game Podcast (00:00:33)
3. Transition to Division I Soccer (00:01:43)
4. Physicality and School Record Performance (00:05:19)
5. Playing Through a Broken Hand (00:11:58)
6. Recovery Journey and Mental Growth (00:16:24)
7. Advice for Young Athletes (00:22:05)
8. A Great Support System (00:31:30)
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