Momodou Cham

Mental Performance Coach

My name is Momodou Cham, and I was born in South London. I am 29 years old. From as far back as I can remember, all I ever wanted was to become a professional footballer. Growing up, I idolized Michael Owen from Liverpool—he was my hero, my inspiration. As a small, fast boy, I saw myself in him. I vividly remember the first time my dad took me to the park to play football with a rainbow-colored ball. That was the day he discovered I was left-footed, and those moments quickly became the highlight of my days.

As I grew up in South London, I began picking up bad habits and getting caught up in street life. I started fighting, stealing, and staying out late despite being very young. Fearing for my safety, my parents decided to send me to Africa. That marked the beginning of a period where I moved from home to home. I was a troubled kid, unknowingly searching for acceptance and love. My parents traveled often, so I didn’t live with them for long stretches.

When I returned to London, I promised myself I would take my football dreams seriously and strive to be the best version of myself. But I was a product of my environment. My days were chaotic: I’d go to school in the morning, ditch classes with friends to shoplift and cause trouble, then head to football training at 6 p.m. After training, I’d find my friends again and stay out until 11 p.m. My life felt like a cycle of distractions.

By this time, my parents had moved to Norway and started building a more stable life. But I didn’t want to join them—I had my life in London. That changed when I was seriously injured by gang members after my friends and I had unfortunately stolen from them. For my mother, this was the last straw, and I was sent to Norway. For the first time in years, I was living with my parents. But as a young boy craving love and acceptance, my relationship with my father was strained, and it broke me.

Moving to Norway at 14 was tough. A new country, a new language, and unfamiliar people left me feeling depressed. I hated it there and even lost my passion for football. I took a break from the sport, started a new school, and eventually made friends who were more sports-oriented. My older brother, a coach at a local football club, convinced me to join his team to rekindle my love for the game.

Joining the team was transformative. I became the best player on the team and started remembering why I fell in love with football. My brother pushed me hard—he refused to let me feel comfortable, even when I performed well. At the time, I didn’t understand his tough love, but now I realize it shaped me. I was stubborn and determined not to let him see me fail.

After a year, I was scouted by a club with better resources and opportunities to become a professional player. I surrounded myself with like-minded friends who shared my ambitions. I was motivated, hungry, and happy. However, I still struggled with my relationship with my father. At home, I felt unloved and unappreciated, which was a heavy burden on my heart.

By the age of 18, many of my friends were signing professional contracts. I felt impatient and frustrated, convinced I was as good—or better—than some of them. This frustration led me to dive into the mental side of the game. I started reading, watching Eric Thomas’s "Thank God It’s Monday" series, and staying consistent even when success seemed out of reach. Two years later, I signed my first professional contract.

That first contract took me to a new country and city—Finland. Despite the fear of stepping into the unknown, I embraced the opportunity. By this time, I had endured so much pain and hardship that taking risks felt second nature. Over the years, I played in Finland, Sweden, Norway, and back in Sweden.

At 24, I suffered a severe injury on the pitch, damaging my right hip. It took three months before I could play again. My dream of making it to the biggest stages in Europe made me impatient, so I returned to play before my hip was fully healed. For the next three years, I played through the pain.

During this time, I studied sports psychology at university while continuing my football career. In 2022, I received life-changing news. Scans revealed that my hip joint was severely bruised, and I was diagnosed with secondary arthritis caused by trauma. I needed a hip replacement and could no longer continue playing football.

This was the most challenging period of my life. I struggled mentally, battled depression, and relied on sleeping pills. Without football, I felt lost. But I knew I had to make a choice—for myself and my family. I decided to channel my experiences into helping others.

I founded my own mental performance company, Champset, which stands for "Champion’s Mindset." The name embodies my journey and how I view myself. The emptiness left by the end of my playing career needed to be filled, and I promised to help athletes achieve their dreams and navigate setbacks just as I had.

Today, I work with athletes of all ages and levels. I also share my story with leaders, business owners, and athletes, inspiring them to persevere and succeed. My journey is a testament to resilience, growth, and the relentless pursuit of a better future.