Ask a Pro: Bianca Calderone
Mike Collette • December 21, 2024
Success as a Student Athlete and Beyond
This week, we had the privilege of hearing from Bianca Calderone, a former center back for the Boston Breakers and D1 soccer player at Northeastern University. She shared her insights on what it takes to succeed as a collegiate athlete and beyond. Bianca provided valuable perspectives on navigating the challenges young athletes face, offering the group a deeper understanding from someone with years of experience in the process.
As many of the athletes we work with are preparing to transition to college, there are a lot of unknowns. Playing at the collegiate level can be a major adjustment, and Bianca shared a crucial piece of advice a coach once gave her when choosing where to go: “Consider whether you’d still be happy in this environment, even if you couldn’t play.”
Self-Belief vs Humility
The transition from high school to college soccer can be a real eye-opener, especially for athletes who were stars in high school. Suddenly, you're surrounded by other players who are just as skilled, if not more. Bianca stressed that it’s crucial to shift your mindset and embrace the challenge. You have to walk into that environment believing you belong and carrying the ego that says, “I’m here to compete and be the best.” But at the same time, you need the humility to acknowledge that you’re always evolving. It’s not about being the best right away—it’s about being ready to learn, grow, and challenge yourself every day. Confidence will fuel your drive, but humility will keep you hungry and adaptable.
Bianca also shared a story about how a coach once compared her to another player she had grown up playing against. Her coach said, “The difference between you and her isn’t your skill on the field—it’s that she thinks she’s the best. You need to think you’re the best player out there, you need her ego.” This perspective was eye-opening, especially considering how often we associate ego with arrogance. In this case, Bianca realized that having a strong belief in yourself—what some might call ego—could actually be a superpower that helps propel you forward.
Bianca also made an excellent point about competition, emphasizing that the true challenge is not just beating the player next to you, but pushing yourself to be better than you were yesterday. It’s about setting a standard for personal growth and improvement that isn’t defined by the competition, but by your own drive to evolve and reach new heights.
Bouncing Back
When Bianca tore her ACL during her freshman year of college, it was a devastating blow, not just physically but mentally. Injuries, especially ones that sideline you for an entire season, force athletes to face a tough choice: succumb to self-pity or rise above it.
Bianca spoke openly about the mental struggle she faced after her injury. For a while, she was in denial, consumed by mental chatter wondering if she’d ever be able to play again. It wasn’t until she came to terms with the injury—accepting that this was her reality—that she was able to refocus and dial up her discipline. Once she did, she had a moment of clarity: “I want to play. I do love playing.” From that moment forward, she committed herself fully to the recovery process, showing up to the weight room every day with renewed determination.
In moments like these, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but Bianca emphasized the importance of focusing on small, manageable steps. This idea, reinforced by her career in physical therapy, has been a key part of her approach. By breaking down the recovery process into smaller goals, the bigger picture becomes clearer, and progress feels more attainable.
She also shared a candid reflection on the emotional side of being sidelined. Watching her team play while she couldn’t be out there was tough—there was a part of her that didn’t want the team to succeed without her. It’s a natural feeling, wanting to feel like a necessary component of the team’s success. But Bianca pointed out that this is an important moment to step back and reassess. Even when you’re not on the field, you have a unique opportunity to be a cheerleader for your teammates and contribute in ways that aren’t always immediately visible.
Key Takeaways
Throughout the conversation, Bianca shared three key principles that have shaped her life after sports, guiding her as both a business owner and a mother:
Grit and Self-Belief
– To get through tough times, you need to believe in yourself. As she puts it, "You have to have the ego to say, 'I can do this.'"
Small Goals
– Break big goals into manageable steps. "I can get two clients, then four... and celebrate each milestone along the way."
Compete with Yourself
– This requires positive self-talk and a mindset of continuous improvement. It’s about wanting to “one-up” yourself, not just beat the person next to you.
Bianca’s journey is a powerful reminder that the lessons we learn on the field extend far beyond it. Resilience, discipline, and self-belief are timeless tools, no matter where life takes you.
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