Morgan Blackwell: When Soccer is All You’ve Known, What Comes Next?

At 14 years old, Morgan Blackwell made a decision that would dictate the next decade of her life. She had committed to play Division II soccer at Point Loma Nazarene University before she even started high school.

For years, soccer was everything—club training, tournaments, college recruitment, playing at the highest level, and constantly proving she belonged. By her sophomore year of college, she had earned All-American honors, played significant minutes, and was part of a championship-winning team.

But when the final whistle blew on her senior season, she wasn’t just closing out a chapter—she was stepping into an entirely different world.

What do you do when the structure, competition, and identity you’ve built your life around… just disappears?

The Reality of Early Recruitment

Morgan didn’t grow up with just a soccer ball at her feet. She tried everything—gymnastics, ballet, volleyball, track, cross country—but soccer was where she felt at home.

By middle school, she had already decided she wanted to play in college. And in 8th grade, she committed to a DII program.

At the time, it felt like an accomplishment. A weight lifted. But looking back, she wonders:

Was 14 too young to make a decision that big?
What happens if you commit that early, and then things change?

For most athletes, things don’t change—because they don’t feel like they can. Once you’re on the path, you stay the course.

When the Joy Started to Fade

Morgan’s first two years of college soccer were everything she had worked for. She played big minutes, won awards, and contributed to a championship team.

But by junior year, everything felt different.

She got injured.
Coaching changes disrupted the team culture.
Unspoken expectations weighed on her more than ever.

Soccer had always been a source of joy. Now, it was starting to feel like an obligation.

But quitting? That wasn’t an option. She had a scholarship. A team that relied on her. A commitment she had made to herself and others years ago.

So, she did what many athletes do—she pushed through. And she doesn’t regret it.

Morgan is proud she finished her career the way she did. But when it ended, there was one thing she didn’t expect:

Relief.

Rebuilding Life After Sport

When soccer was gone, she felt it in every part of her life.

She moved to Dallas, away from the teammates and structure that had shaped her identity for so long.
She struggled with body image. After years of intense training, she wasn’t sure how to eat or move as a normal, healthy adult.
She wasn’t sure what was next. Like many athletes, she hadn’t had time for internships or career exploration in college.

For a while, she avoided soccer altogether. The sport she had loved for so long now felt complicated.

But over time, she rebuilt—not just her relationship with soccer, but with herself.

She built a thriving career in technology consulting.
She found a new approach to health and fitness that worked for her.
She rediscovered soccer—not as competition, but as joy.

She didn’t have to let go of soccer entirely. She just had to redefine it on her terms.

What She’d Tell Her 15-Year-Old Self

For years, Morgan had pushed toward one goal—playing at the highest level. And she did it.

But what she knows now—what she wishes she had known earlier—is that you don’t have to prove your worth through sport.

If she could go back, she’d tell herself:

Don’t worry so much about what other people think.
Keep finding joy in what you do.
Compare yourself less.

Because success isn’t just about what happens on the field. It’s about how you carry those lessons into whatever comes next.

What About You?

💬 Have you experienced a transition out of sport? What was hardest for you? Lend your voice to the conversation - we’d love to hear your story.

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Finding Joy in The Sport Again: A Soccer Story