6.1 Crystal Dunn: Turn Weaknesses into Strengths

"In the early stages, when I realized I was going to be probably the shortest player on the teams I was on, it was hard. I felt like girls were getting recruited over me strictly because of their height, and it made me self-conscious." - Crystal Dunn

What is something you are insecure about?

Crystal Dunn is one of the best and most accomplished female soccer players of all time, having won an NCAA championship at North Carolina, a World Cup, and Olympic gold medals, and she has done so while being one of the shortest athletes on the field.

She is only 5-2 and once feared she was too short to play at the highest level.

In an interview with ESPN, Dunn said, “At first, it wasn't easy. In the early stages, when I realized I was going to be probably the shortest player on the teams I was on, it was hard. I felt like girls were getting recruited over me strictly because of their height, and it made me self-conscious.”

Dunn said she had doubts about her size, but as she matured, she realized everybody has things they wish were different about themselves, and the key is learning how to take advantage of what we do have instead of wanting what we don’t have.

Dunn learned how to use her size, quickness, and intelligence to her advantage, and she became one of the best players in the world and an inspiration to people all over the world.

What is holding you back, and how can you turn it into an advantage?

Question of the Day: What is something about you that can be seen as a disadvantage, and how can you overcome it and turn it into an advantage?