D-1 or Bust: Is It A Must?

Episode 30 (Mary Martin Hampton, Centre College Women's Soccer player who started her career at Univ. of Florida)

In this episode, I sit down with Hampton, who shares her incredible journey from starting on the 3rd level soccer team at age 10 to reaching the top level by high school and playing Division 1 soccer.

🔹 A Journey of Progress – Not every kid makes the top team at a young age, and Hampton is the perfect example. She worked her way up through determination and hard work, showing that growth takes time.

🔹 The Reality of Long-Term Development – Some kids reach their potential later than others, and that’s okay. Athleticism often surpasses skill as the key to long-term success, especially as kids develop.

🔹 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation – Hampton strongly advocates for playing multiple sports through high school. It helps avoid burnout, provides cross-training, and teaches important life skills like time management and communication.

🔹 High School Soccer Love – “I loved high school soccer so much...You couldn’t have paid me to NOT play.” Hampton reminisces about the unique joy of high school sports and why it’s a time to cherish, not just for future college aspirations.

🔹 The "D1 or Bust" Mentality – The pressure of thinking you need to be Division 1-bound can be overwhelming. Hampton shares how she wishes she hadn’t been so narrow-minded in the recruiting process, and how she learned to trust her own path.

🔹 The Realities of D-1 Athletics – Once she made it to D-1 soccer, Hampton quickly realized that everyone was the best at their previous teams. D-1 athletics isn’t just about loving the game, it’s a 24/7 commitment and a whole different level of dedication.

🔹 Finding Your True Place – Feeling homesick and realizing something was missing, Hampton shares how she ultimately found the right place for her—a reminder to listen to your heart and not just the pressure from others.

🔹 Advice for Younger Players – Hampton offers advice to younger athletes going through the college recruitment process, stressing the importance of keeping an open mind and staying true to yourself.

🔹 And, of course... More HOT TAKES! – You won’t want to miss these piping hot takes that will leave you thinking long after the episode ends.

A must-listen for young athletes and parents navigating the pressure of youth sports and recruitment!