Written by Momodou Cham, Mental Performance Coach
Momodou Cham is a sports psychology graduate as well as a former profffesional football player. He is the founder of the consultant company Champset Athletics. Momodou is known for working with elite athletes all over europe and for his unique approach on mental coaching.
Our past shapes who we are, but how we choose to embrace and learn from it is what defines our future. Life is full of experiences that mold us, from moments of joy and success to those of pain and adversity. The key to personal and professional growth lies in using these experiences as a driving force to fuel our ambitions. My journey from growing up in South London, facing adversity, chasing my dreams as a professional footballer, and overcoming significant setbacks has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, purpose, and the power of turning struggle into strength.
Here, I want to share how you can transform your past into a source of motivation and clarity for your career and life goals.
Reflect on your journey
Before you can use your past as a tool for growth, you need to reflect on it. Take time to think about the pivotal moments in your life: the challenges you overcame, the decisions you made, and the lessons you learned. For me, it was growing up in an environment where street life threatened to derail my dreams. Being sent to Africa for my safety, dealing with feelings of rejection, and later relocating to Norway all shaped my understanding of resilience. These experiences weren’t easy, but they forced me to grow in ways I never thought possible.
Reflection allows you to identify the lessons embedded in your past experiences. Ask yourself: What have I learned? What strengths have I gained from these experiences? Once you recognize the value of your journey, you can begin to harness it for your future.
Reflection doesn’t stop at identifying your strengths. It also involves understanding how those experiences connect to where you want to go. For example, when I looked back at my own journey, I realized that every challenge I faced taught me adaptability and persistence. These qualities became the foundation for my success, both as an athlete and a professional.
Reframe career adversity as an opportunity for growth
Adversity can be one of the greatest teachers if you let it. When I was 14, moving to a new country and culture was an overwhelming experience. I felt depressed and disconnected, even losing my passion for football. Yet, this challenging transition taught me the value of adaptability and perseverance. Instead of allowing my struggles to define me, I reframed them as opportunities to grow.
Reframing adversity doesn’t mean diminishing its difficulty; it means recognizing the strength and skills you’ve gained because of it. Whether you’ve faced rejection, failure, or personal loss, these experiences can become the foundation of your resilience. They remind you that no matter how tough life gets, you have the ability to rise again.
Adversity also creates a platform for empathy. When you’ve overcome struggles, you’re better equipped to understand others and offer meaningful support. This makes you a stronger leader, teammate, or collaborator, skills that are invaluable in any career.
Leverage your unique story
Everyone has a unique story, and that story is a powerful tool. My past, from idolizing Michael Owen as a boy and navigating the complexities of family relationships to signing my first professional football contract after years of hard work, is what makes me relatable and authentic as a mentor and coach. My setbacks, including a career-ending injury and the subsequent mental struggles, have become the cornerstone of my mission to help others.
Your story is your brand. Whether you’re building a business, advancing in your career, or inspiring others, your authenticity is what sets you apart. Don’t shy away from your past; instead, use it to connect with people, demonstrate your values, and showcase the strengths you’ve developed along the way.
Sharing your story doesn’t just benefit you; it can inspire and motivate others. By opening up about your journey, you may help someone else realize they’re not alone in their struggles, which strengthens your impact as a leader and role model.
Transform pain into purpose
One of the most powerful ways to use your past is to turn pain into purpose. After my injury forced me to end my football career, I faced a deep sense of loss. Football was all I knew. I was depressed, struggling with sleepless nights, and unsure of my next step. But rather than letting that pain consume me, I used it as the foundation for my next chapter. I created Champset, my mental performance company, with the goal of helping athletes navigate setbacks and reach their dreams.
Ask yourself: How can I use my experiences to make a difference? Your struggles can become the key to helping others overcome their challenges. By channeling your pain into something meaningful, you not only heal but also find a renewed sense of purpose.
Pain can also become a driving force for innovation. When we’re pushed to solve problems born out of our own struggles, the solutions we create often resonate with others facing similar issues. This creates opportunities for meaningful impact and personal growth.
Develop a champion’s mindset
Having a "champion’s mindset" means staying relentless in the face of challenges. It’s about consistency, discipline, and belief in your ability to succeed, even when the odds are against you. During my journey to becoming a professional footballer, I faced countless moments of doubt and frustration. Many of my peers signed contracts before me, and I often felt like I was being left behind. But I stayed consistent. I sought out motivational resources like Eric Thomas’s “Thank God It’s Monday” series and pushed myself to keep going. That persistence paid off when I finally achieved my dream.
In your career, setbacks and delays don’t mean failure. They’re part of the process. Cultivate a mindset that embraces challenges and sees them as opportunities to grow stronger. When you develop this mindset, your past becomes a source of motivation rather than a weight holding you back.
To strengthen this mindset, focus on setting clear goals and celebrating small wins along the way. Building momentum through these victories keeps you motivated and helps you tackle bigger challenges with confidence.
Build meaningful relationships
Another way to use your past as a driving force is by surrounding yourself with people who inspire and uplift you. When I moved to Norway and joined a new football team, I surrounded myself with teammates who shared my passion for the game. These relationships helped me stay focused and motivated during a difficult transition.
Your network plays a crucial role in your personal and professional growth. Seek out mentors, peers, and communities that align with your values and goals. Share your story with them, and you might be surprised by how much support and encouragement you receive in return.
Building strong relationships also means giving back. Support others in their journeys, and you’ll create a network built on trust and mutual respect. This not only strengthens your connections but also adds value to your own life and career.
Stay true to your "why"
Finally, never lose sight of your "why." Understanding your purpose and the reason behind your ambitions is what keeps you grounded during tough times. For me, my "why" is about helping others. My journey, with all its ups and downs, has equipped me to guide athletes and leaders through their own challenges. That sense of purpose drives everything I do, from coaching to sharing my story on platforms like this one.
Your "why" might come from your own struggles, a desire to make a difference or a passion that’s been with you since childhood. Whatever it is, hold onto it tightly. Let it guide your decisions and fuel your drive.
Reconnecting with your "why" during challenging moments can reignite your motivation and remind you of the bigger picture. This sense of purpose is essential for long-term fulfillment and success.
Conclusion
Our pasts are filled with stories of triumph, pain, and growth. While we can’t change what’s happened, we have the power to decide how it shapes our future. By reflecting on your journey, reframing adversity, leveraging your story, and staying true to your purpose, you can use your past as a powerful driving force in your career.
No matter where you come from or what you’ve been through, remember this: every setback is an opportunity to rise stronger. Let your past fuel your ambition, inspire your journey, and remind you of the resilience that lies within you. That’s how you turn your history into a legacy.
Embrace your story, and use it to create a future you’re proud of. Your past is not a limitation; it’s your greatest resource for growth and success.
Read more from Momodou Cham
Momodou Cham, Mental Performance Coach
Momodou Cham is a leader in Mental performance, mental fitness and performance improvement. A rough and unstable childhood and later with a total hip replacemnet at the age of 27 which left him no choice but to retire from the sport that litterally saved his life, has motivated Momodou to help other athletes to crush their goals.
He is very inspired by athletes with a difficult road to their goals.
