If I had followed my childhood dream, I probably would have been a professional footballer by now. That was the goal. I grew up obsessed with the game, boots always muddy, legs always sore, but heart always full. I wanted to play under the lights, feel the roar of a stadium, and maybe even see my name on the back of a jersey. I used to believe that if I just worked hard enough, football would open all the doors. But life had other plans.
Somewhere along the line, reality stepped in. Injuries, academics, shifting priorities, whatever the reasons, the dream started to fade. It wasn’t overnight, but gradually, football became more of a hobby than a pursuit. And in that space, something unexpected happened. I discovered the digital world, and I got hooked. What started as casual curiosity grew into a full-blown passion for tech, specifically digital marketing.
Now I’m deep in this “tech bro” life. I live in data dashboards and ad managers instead of training kits and stadiums. I’m building strategies, managing campaigns, helping brands grow their presence online. And honestly? I love it. The creativity, the analytics, the ability to measure real impact, it’s not the same as football, but it has its own kind of thrill.
Sometimes I think about what might’ve been, maybe playing for a club somewhere, traveling, living that footballer lifestyle. But then I remember how far I’ve come, how much I’ve built, and how much freedom this path gives me. I still play football on weekends, still chase the ball with the same energy I had as a kid. But professionally, I’ve found my lane.
This journey taught me that our childhood dreams aren’t always meant to be final destinations. Sometimes, they’re just the launchpad. Football gave me discipline, focus, and hunger, traits I now apply to everything I do in tech. I didn’t become the footballer I once dreamed of, but I became someone I’m proud of. And who knows? The pitch might still call me back someday, in some other way. For now, I’m building in tech, growing, learning, and helping others do the same. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
All photos are mine.
