In this inspiring episode, Olivia Kim shares how she went from playing tennis just once a week in 9th grade to earning an academic scholarship to play collegiate tennis at Trinity.

After switching schools and homeschooling to pursue the sport full-time, she pushed through self-doubt, gossip, and early setbacks in a competitive tennis community.

Olivia opens up about overcoming the pressure, finding confidence, and thriving in a positive college tennis environment.

Now a psychology grad set to become a therapist for kids with autism, she reminds us that perseverance and passion can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

Key highlights:

• Starting tennis seriously in high school with limited experience
• Homeschooling to fully commit to tennis
• Battling discouragement and toxic tennis culture
• Landing an academic scholarship through hard work
• Thriving in a supportive college team and finding purpose beyond the sport

What happens when tennis opens doors beyond the court? 🎾✨

In this powerful episode of the HTP Podcast, Gira Schofield sits down with Trang, a junior in high school who shares her inspiring journey from Vietnam to the U.S.—and from picking up a racquet to earning a college scholarship. 🇻🇳➡️🇺🇸

Trang opens up about:

✅ How Serve the Future nonprofit changed her life

✅ Learning tennis later than most—and thriving anyway

✅ Earning a scholarship to Canyon College through hard work and mindset

✅ Her dream of becoming an experimental psychologist

✅ Advice for younger players: “Just do it—step out of your comfort zone!”

Whether you're a young athlete, a parent, or just love stories of grit and growth, this episode is packed with heart and purpose. Trang’s journey shows that with support, discipline, and passion, anything is possible.

🎧 Watch now to feel inspired and motivated on your own journey—on and off the court!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real stories and mental strength tips.

Is positive self-talk enough? In this episode, part 3 of positive self-talk, I get real about the limits of positive self-talk in tennis—and why it won’t work in certain pressured situations unless you actually believe it.

I’ll break down the truth about mental toughness, subconscious patterns, and why meditation and journaling are the real training grounds for your mind. 🎾🧠

You’ll hear:

• Why “just be positive” is bad advice during pressure moments
• What Novak Djokovic can teach us about building true mental strength
• How to start rewiring your thoughts in just 2 minutes a day

If you want to stop the sabotage and become your own best coach—this one’s for you.

➡️ Listen now. 📝 Take notes. 💬 Share with your tennis crew.

Episode Disclosure : This episode is for educational purposes and isn’t a replacement for professional care. If you’re experiencing mental or physical health issues, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.