Mia’s story
Age 17
From a young age, Mia aspired to attend university and study medicine, and as the eldest sibling she faced considerable pressure to excel academically and set a good example for her younger siblings.
Despite her ambitions, Mia struggled with mental health issues at age 12, silently battling anxiety and anorexia. This caused frequent illness throughout her secondary school years, eventually leading to her admission to CAMHS for support and recovery. By age 16, Mia had fully recovered from anorexia and found that sports played a significant role in her recovery, reigniting her sense of passion and purpose.
With a renewed outlook, Mia began participating in various sports activities, including netball with Any Girl Netball, our partner sports provider. This involvement sparked her volunteering journey, where she met Zach, Sport 4 Life’s Team Leader for Sport & Education. Recognising her potential, Zach offered Mia opportunities to volunteer with Sport 4 Life and earn a free Sports Leadership Qualification. Embracing the challenge, Mia obtained her qualifications, which enhanced her communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as her sports coaching experience. At 16, she successfully applied for a Sports Coach position with Sport 4 Life.
“Zach is an absolute legend! He’s helped me develop as a person and coach, always supporting me. He’s a mentor I look up to, providing me endless opportunities to progress in the sporting field.”
“SPORT WAS MY RELIEF, AND NOW I’M PROUD TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE GAIN THE SUPPORT I ONCE NEEDED”
These new experiences shifted Mia’s career perspective from medicine to sports. Approaching Sixth Form, she altered her A-level choices to align with a sports career, opting for a path that promised both passion and fulfilment over stability without enjoyment.
Mia has since spoken about sports and mental health at conferences nationwide with organisations such as Street Games. She also contributed to a youth manifesto as part of a young advisers group, addressing community barriers and support needs for young people.
“I’ve gained so many opportunities through Sport 4 Life. They’ve helped build my confidence, making me more resilient and less reliant on external validation. I know I’m good enough and capable.”
As a Sports Coach, Mia has been able to gain further her skills in leadership as well building on her confidence over the past 12 months. Mia now successfully ran over 50 sports sessions independently.
Mia aims to work in sports development, striving to break barriers in female sports participation and serve as a role model for younger generations. While university remains a goal, she now values hands-on experience and choosing a career aligned with her passion, backed by strong support networks. Her advice: “Pursue your goals with an open mind. You never know the support, experience, and guidance you’ll gain or the path it will lead you.”