The Courage to Get Back Up

When Life Knocks You Down: Lessons From the Field

“You’re just a big fish in a little pond,” my coach told me one night after one of the toughest games of my high school career.

We had just lost our district championship match—one that would have sent us to state as the number one seed. The game was brutal from the first whistle: double teams, unchecked fouls, and a referee who had long lost control. With twenty minutes left, I jumped for a header against a much taller player, only to be slammed mid-air by another. I crashed down, landing on my head.

As my vision cleared, I saw my teammate leaning over me, shouting, “C’mon, you gotta get up!”

I insisted I was fine. I begged my coach to let me back in. But because he had stepped onto the field, I had to sit out—helpless on the sideline as our rivals exploited the very space I normally commanded. We went down 1–0.

Eventually, I was cleared to return. Dizzy, aching, but determined, I fought on. Moments later, I earned a free kick—my favorite spot on the pitch. This was my chance. I set the ball, stepped back, whispered a prayer. But as I looked up, I saw two keepers. Two crossbars. My vision was blurred, my head still spinning. I struck the ball anyway.

Perfect form. Perfect contact. And yet—just inches wide.

The final whistle blew. Our dreams of the district title ended in that moment.

On the outside, I held it together. I played the role of captain: calm, strong, unfazed. Inside, I was crushed. Angry at the referee, angry at the unfairness of it all, angry at God.

But then, my mind drifted back to a decision I’d made years earlier as a freshman. I had been invited to play on a top-level team—but it required Sunday play. At the time, I had studied John 21:15–19, when Christ asks Peter again and again, “Lovest thou me?” That scripture asked me to replace “these” with whatever I loved most. For me, it was soccer.

It was in that moment, at 15 years old, that I made a promise: I would never put soccer before God.

That choice changed me. It gave me the strength to keep perspective when life didn’t go my way. It taught me that leadership isn’t about hiding pain—it’s about rising above it. It showed me that sometimes, even when you give everything, life will still knock you down.

But it’s not about the fall. It’s about what you do next.

What This Means for Leadership and Career Growth

That game didn’t end the way I wanted. My high school career didn’t close with the fairytale ending. But what it gave me was something greater:

• Resilience — The ability to get back up, even when the setback felt unfair or devastating.

• Perspective — Understanding that success isn’t always defined by wins, but by who we become in the process.

• Courage — Leading my team even when I didn’t have all the answers, or when my own heart was heavy.

These are the same qualities leaders and professionals need today. Whether you’re making a major career decision, guiding a team through change, or facing setbacks in your business, the lesson is the same:

You will get knocked down. Circumstances won’t always be fair. But your response—your ability to rise, refocus, and lead forward—is what will define your legacy.

A Question for You

Where in your life or career do you feel like you’ve been knocked down? What “unfair game” are you carrying with you?

And more importantly—what’s your next move?

As a coach, I help individuals and organizations navigate these very moments. My role is to help you see clearly when the goalposts feel blurry, to find strength in setbacks, and to chart a path forward with clarity and purpose.

Because soccer was never the end of my story. It was the training ground for everything that came after. And I believe your challenges can be the same for you.

Step forward into the life God is calling you to.  Let’s explore how coaching can help you find clarity, build resilience, and take your bold next step forward.  

Schedule a free conversation today   Wirth Growth And Dev