How do you become a professional soccer player when your story starts in the ICU? Greg Garza was born fighting, left home at 12, chased the game across four countries, and came back from a career-threatening injury to lift the MLS Cup with Atlanta United. On this episode of the Do the Did Podcast, Ben and Lila sit down with Greg to ask the question this whole show is built on: how did you do that?

Greg's path was never a straight line. He moved to Brazil alone at 12, learned the language in months, and earned his way into the US youth residency program and the Under-17 World Cup. He signed his first pro contract in Portugal at 16, won a championship in Mexico with Club Tijuana, and reached the peak of his game in Guadalajara before a hip reconstruction and a full year of rehab nearly ended his career as a professional soccer player. Written off by two clubs, he got one more chance in a brand new city, made the MLS All-Star team his first year, and won it all the next.

This conversation is about everything underneath the highlight reel. Greg shares why the most uncomfortable seasons grow you the most, and why he chose to see better players as teachers instead of threats. He opens up about self-doubt, the poetry and faith that carried him through injury, and the belief that steadied his work ethic: pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on you. He explains why an elite personality beats elite talent, why comparison is the thief of joy, and why he walked away from the game to be present for his kids.

Now Greg pours all of it into the next generation as co-founder of Beyond Goals Mentoring, where the focus is confidence, leadership, and resilience for young athletes. Ben and Lila know the impact firsthand, because their own son is in the program.

If you are an entrepreneur, a parent, an athlete, or anyone chasing something that feels a size too big, this is your reminder that success and significance are built one uncomfortable, disciplined, faithful step at a time.

Greg Garza is a former US Men's National Team player, an MLS Cup champion and MLS All-Star with Atlanta United, and a Liga MX champion. Today he mentors the next generation of leaders as co-founder of Beyond Goals Mentoring. Learn more at beyondgoalsmentoring.com.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondgoalsmentoring

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