If I Could Go Back In Time...

If I could go back and talk to my high-school self, I’d have a lot to say. Not because I regret everything — but because I now understand what it truly takes to reach your potential. When you're young, you don’t always see how the small decisions add up. You don’t always see how much the right habits (or lack of them) shape your future.

So this isn’t a “lecture.”
This is me talking to the younger version of myself… and hopefully helping a young athlete today avoid the mistakes I made.

1. I Would Take My Goals More Seriously

Back then, I said I wanted to play in college… but my actions didn’t always match my words. I didn’t realize what kind of commitment it took.

If I could go back, I would:

• Get clear on whether I actually wanted to pursue college sports
• Map out what it would take
• Hold myself accountable every single day

A dream means nothing without direction.

2. I Would Cut Out Distractions

One of my biggest mistakes was giving my time and energy to things that didn’t help me grow. I hung out with people who had different priorities, different ambitions, and different standards.

If I could go back, I would:

• Spend less time with people who weren’t serious
• Surround myself with teammates or friends who wanted more out of life
• Protect my time like it mattered

Because it does.

Who you spend time with in high school shapes who you become more than you realize.

3. I Would Seek Out Better Coaching

I didn’t have access to experienced coaches growing up. I didn’t know who to ask or what to look for. I ended up creating my own workouts, guessing at what “training” should be.

And while self-motivation is great… you don’t know what you don’t know.

If I could go back, I would:

• Get real instruction on mechanics, strength training, and speed
• Ask questions
• Find mentors
• Stop relying on talent alone

The right coach shortens the learning curve and reduces mistakes you don’t even know you’re making.

4. I Would Take My Recovery Seriously

In high school, I thought recovery meant “taking a day off when I felt tired.” That was it.

If I could go back, I would:

• Learn about sleep
• Stretch
• Do mobility work
• Warm up properly
• Take care of soreness instead of pushing through it
• Treat my body like a high-performance machine

Because that’s what an athlete is.

You can train hard… but if you don’t recover well, you’ll never reach your potential.

5. I Would Respect Nutrition

Growing up, I ate whatever I wanted. There was no plan, no purpose, no understanding. Now I know better.

If I could go back, I would:

• Eat to fuel performance
• Prioritize protein and hydration
• Stop skipping meals
• Understand how nutrition affects strength, energy, and injury risk

Good nutrition doesn’t make you soft.
It makes you better.

6. I Would Take School More Seriously

You can be the most talented athlete in the world… and coaches will still pass on you if your grades don’t match.

If I could go back, I would:

• Stay organized
• Do my assignments
• Ask for help when needed
• Make academics part of my discipline

A good student opens more doors than a talented athlete who can’t qualify.

7. I Would Learn the Recruiting Process

When I was in high school, I didn’t understand:

• How to reach out to coaches
• How to build a highlight tape
• How to get noticed
• What schools were realistic
• How early the process really starts

I wasn’t taught any of it.
And because of that, opportunities slipped by.

If I could go back, I would:

• Be proactive
• Email coaches myself
• Ask questions
• Do the research
• Not wait for someone to “discover” me

Recruiting isn’t luck — it’s strategy.

8. I Would Match My Actions to My Goals

This is the real message.

If I could go back, I would:

• Sleep instead of staying up all night
• Train with focus instead of guessing
• Recover instead of ignoring pain
• Fuel instead of just eating
• Work instead of dreaming
• Choose discipline over distractions

I would match my daily habits to the level of athlete I wanted to be.

My Message to Today’s Athletes (and Parents)

To any athlete reading this:
It’s not too late. You can change your trajectory today by making better decisions, forming better habits, and getting the right support.

To parents:
Your role matters more than you know. Your guidance, structure, and encouragement can be the difference between an athlete who realizes their potential and one who looks back with regret.

High school goes by fast.
Opportunities don’t wait.
Talent is not enough.

But if you combine talent with discipline, coaching, recovery, nutrition, academics, and clarity — you give yourself a real chance to be great.