Former Penn State field hockey's Sophia "Phia" Gladieux struggled with anxiety since she was 11, playing at a junior national camp with some of the best 17-year-olds in the country. Up until college, she struggled with a constant, anxious cycle that she didn't know how to handle.
Phia became a role model for younger players who had similar experiences, and she never let her anxiety get in the way of her long-term goals. Once coming to Penn State, she eventually felt confident that Team USA was in her future — and she was right.
“I had to do things at my own pace, and so I decided to step back from any USA things, I think freshman year of high school, maybe sophomore year,” Phia told Victory Bell Rings.