A Time Capsule Interview with my future self

Where did your music taste come from?

My music taste definitely came from my pops. He’s put me on ‘real rap’ since the day I could understand English. I did a deep dive research on all rappers from 80’s to 90’s to even 2000’s. And the ‘real struggle rap’ was the type of rap I’ve always been interested in.

What kind of skills have you picked up throughout life?

I learned new languages, bettered my soccer skills, obviously, learned how to solve a rubix cube, am a father now, and I’m a black belt in Muay Tai.

Were all your sacrifices worth it?

Most definitely. The only thing that wasn’t worth it, was the times I didn’t sacrifice anything. When instead of getting a good night’s sleep in, I chose to go to a party, or instead of eating correctly, I’d “just this one time” enjoy some cake. Stuff like that. But aside from that, all the sacrifices I did make to get to where I am for sure paid off.

What piece of advice would you give to a kid growing up in a struggle?

Give. Give. Give. Give. You will find more joy in giving than receiving. That’ll be the true feeling of happiness.

When did you find the dedication to continue your career?

I’ve had trouble dedicating my life to soccer ever since I was a child. I grew up around bad influencers, and basically, like my pops put it, “let social media be your daddy and mommy.” I got to distracted as a kid from friends, snapchat, Instagram etc. I always felt left out when my friends would go chill and I would have to stay in for soccer reasons really. Because I needed sleep, or needed to stretch all night and ice, or treat an injury. I couldn’t be a normal kid, and growing up in such a bad area didn’t help shape my mind because it’s so easy to do the wrong thing. But I fought through it and realized that where I am now and where I’m getting will feel so much greater than going to chill at Malik’s house that Friday night.

Has your past come back to affect how you are today? Is It preventing you from accomplishing anything? Being happy?

I hate allowing my past affect me emotionally/mentally. Makes me feel weak. But as far as it catching up to me and affecting anything else, no. And I’m grateful for that. I believe there are two ways people can deal with a negative past. It’s to either run from it, or learn from it. And I’ve always intended to learn from it. At times yes, running has never sounded so good, but I couldn’t allow myself to slow my growth because I can’t handle something that has happened so long ago. My past is my past and it has no negative affect on me today.

When that first professional soccer check came in, what did you do with it?

I immediately, without a doubt, gave them everything I got. And to this day actually I’m buying them so many things. Just drowning them in money in a sense. I could never repay them for how much they did for me and the only thing I can think of to do at this moment, is to just make them comfortable and relaxed. I want to make the rest of their life so easy so they don’t have to do anything other than be happy.

What kind of footprint are you hoping to leave when you pass?

I hope I’m looked at, as a person, as motivation for those wanting to achieve a goal. Whether It be big or small. Whether if it’s just motivation to those in my family and friends or to everyone around the world. I just want to be looked at as a good example. From a soccer player point of view, I want to be the best. I don’t want to settle for nothing less. I want to see kids wearing my name on their back in the streets. When people talk about me after I retire, I want to be remembered as one of the greatest to ever do it.