--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the beginning, when I was first…" description: "\"In the beginning, when I was first approached by M.L.S., my mother was not too fond of the idea of me playing professional soccer right away. She thoug..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/979/jozy-altidore-4334_beginning_in-the-beginning-when-i-was-first-approa_925978.jpg" --- # In the beginning, when I was first approached by M.L.S… ![“In the beginning, when I was first approached by M.L.S., my mother was not too fond of the idea of me playing professional soccer right away. She thought it's more important to get an education than to pursue personal goals, like athletics.” quote by Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/979/jozy-altidore-4334_beginning_in-the-beginning-when-i-was-first-approa_925978.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/979/jozy-altidore-4334_beginning_in-the-beginning-when-i-was-first-approa_925978.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/979/jozy-altidore-4334_beginning_in-the-beginning-when-i-was-first-approa_925978.jpg) > “In the beginning, when I was first approached by M.L.S., my mother was not too fond of the idea of me playing professional soccer right away. She thought it's more important to get an education than to pursue personal goals, like athletics.” [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing education and athletic dreams requires family support and personal conviction. **In simple terms:** Study and sport both matter. Key Takeaway Prioritize learning alongside training. Themes education family ambition Mood determined thoughtful Type advice motivational When to use this quote - college athlete - career planning - parental guidance Key Concepts dual career personal development Questions to Reflect On - How do you integrate school and sport? - What support do you need? A Different Perspective Pressure to choose one path can cause stress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approached Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approached-mother-1470286/) [Beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Goals Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-like-1051664/) [Like Athletics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-athletics-1470287/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Personal goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-goal/) [Personal goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-goals/) [Pursue Personal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursue-personal-1470288/) [She](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/she/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) ## Related quotes > [Honestly, on so many levels, I feel like motherhood has prepared me even better for directing than film school because all it is is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-swanson/honestly-on-so-many-levels-i-feel-like-motherhood-has-prepared-me/) [Christine Swanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-swanson/) > [I always have a lot of personal goals, but primarily my main goal each year is to obviously win a Super Bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-strahan/i-always-have-a-lot-of-personal-goals-but-primarily-my-main-goal-each/) [Michael Strahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-strahan/) > [“Writing is one method for revising a person’s outlook on life and observing the world and one’s place therein from an altered perspective. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/writing-is-one-method-for-revising-a-person-s-outlook-on-life-and/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [Keep yourself motivated. You've got to be motivated, you've got to wake up every day and understand what that day is about; you've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-cohn/keep-yourself-motivated-you-ve-got-to-be-motivated-you-ve-got-to-wake/) [Gary Cohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-cohn/) > [To be successful, it is imperative that you not only know the organizations you work with, but more specifically, you have to know the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rana-el-kaliouby/to-be-successful-it-is-imperative-that-you-not-only-know-the/) [Rana el Kaliouby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rana-el-kaliouby/) > [“Getting married requires a radical and permanent reorientation of attentional habits. When a child is added to the pair, both parents have to readapt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/getting-married-requires-a-radical-and-permanent-reorientation-of/) [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) > [In my practice as a psychiatrist, I have found that helping people to develop personal goals has proven to be the most effective way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-kiev/in-my-practice-as-a-psychiatrist-i-have-found-that-helping-people-to/) [Ari Kiev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-kiev/) > [I set my own personal goals; I'm not playing to satisfy fans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-pulisic/i-set-my-own-personal-goals-i-m-not-playing-to-satisfy-fans/) [Christian Pulisic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-pulisic/) > [“After all, the ultimate goal of learning boundaries is to free us up to protect, nurture, and develop the lives God has given us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/after-all-the-ultimate-goal-of-learning-boundaries-is-to-free-us-up/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [America gains most when individuals have great freedom to pursue personal goals without undue government interference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-earle/america-gains-most-when-individuals-have-great-freedom-to-pursue/) [Sylvia Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-earle/) > [Whilst I'm aiming to improve as a driver, I'm also hoping to inspire others to strive for their own personal goals, whatever their situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-hamilton/whilst-i-m-aiming-to-improve-as-a-driver-i-m-also-hoping-to-inspire/) [Nicolas Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-hamilton/) > [I came to realize that visualizing, projecting yourself into a successful situation, is the most powerful means there is of achieving personal goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-lauder/i-came-to-realize-that-visualizing-projecting-yourself-into-a/) [Leonard Lauder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lauder/) > [People who say that life is not worthwhile are really saying that they themselves have no personal goals which are worthwhile. Prescription: Get yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-maltz/people-who-say-that-life-is-not-worthwhile-are-really-saying-that/) [Maxwell Maltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-maltz/) > [My personal goals have always and will always take a backseat to the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ab-de-villiers/my-personal-goals-have-always-and-will-always-take-a-backseat-to-the/) [AB de Villiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ab-de-villiers/) > [If a team is to reach its potential, each player must be willing to subordinate his personal goals to the good of the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bud-wilkinson/if-a-team-is-to-reach-its-potential-each-player-must-be-willing-to/) [Bud Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bud-wilkinson/) ## More by Jozy Altidore > [Highs and lows come around all the time on the field of play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/highs-and-lows-come-around-all-the-time-on-the-field-of-play/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [After my experience on some United States youth national teams and in M.L.S., I have to say that the biggest difference I've seen here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/after-my-experience-on-some-united-states-youth-national-teams-and-in/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [We are a country that is always growing and learning in soccer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/we-are-a-country-that-is-always-growing-and-learning-in-soccer/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [The defenders are just trying to make life more difficult for you and you have to turn it around and make things more difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/the-defenders-are-just-trying-to-make-life-more-difficult-for-you-and/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [I've really been surprised and impressed by South Africa. We've all heard the stories about Africa and the Third World, but South Africa is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/i-ve-really-been-surprised-and-impressed-by-south-africa-we-ve-all/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [I never saw myself living in Canada, but getting there, it's like, yeah, it has its own swag and its own twist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/i-never-saw-myself-living-in-canada-but-getting-there-it-s-like-yeah/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [In all honesty, as you grow older, you understand how important it is to give everything in every workout, training session and match. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/in-all-honesty-as-you-grow-older-you-understand-how-important-it-is/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [Snacking is important. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a great example of a perfect snack. They can go a long way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/snacking-is-important-peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwiches-are-a-great/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [There are players that get under your skin more than others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/there-are-players-that-get-under-your-skin-more-than-others/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [Any time you get to play in a country that loves soccer it's usually a good atmosphere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/any-time-you-get-to-play-in-a-country-that-loves-soccer-it-s-usually/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [As a professional soccer player, I've been called many names.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/as-a-professional-soccer-player-i-ve-been-called-many-names/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [Stretching, which I do for five to 10 minutes before and after a match, is so important in general when it comes to prolonging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/stretching-which-i-do-for-five-to-10-minutes-before-and-after-a-match/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [Playing in Europe is definitely a goal of mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/playing-in-europe-is-definitely-a-goal-of-mine/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [The World Cup only comes around once every four years and is the absolute pinnacle of our sport. It is something we dream about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/the-world-cup-only-comes-around-once-every-four-years-and-is-the/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) > [George Boateng was a great guy, a great mentor, for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jozy-altidore/george-boateng-was-a-great-guy-a-great-mentor-for-sure/) [Jozy Altidore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) [Explore all 112 Jozy Altidore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jozy-altidore/) ## More Beginning quotes > [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/) [Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Every Finish Line is the beginning of a new race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-finish-line-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-race/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Always keep the smile, because the smile is the beginning of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-imad/always-keep-the-smile-because-the-smile-is-the-beginning-of-love/) [Adam Imad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-imad/) > [We are beginning to see intimations of this in the implantation of computer devices into the human body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/we-are-beginning-to-see-intimations-of-this-in-the-implantation-of/) [Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/) > [The only vocal training I had was playing with a tape recorder as a kid, and you know, doing the beginning of the 'Lone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buffer/the-only-vocal-training-i-had-was-playing-with-a-tape-recorder-as-a/) [Michael Buffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buffer/) > [January is the beginning of a new year for us in the Western world. Let us give to God what belongs to him: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/january-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-year-for-us-in-the-western-world/) [Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/) > [In the beginning, if you look at those early label albums of the Chicks, we didn't write all that much. We had an A&R…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martie-maguire/in-the-beginning-if-you-look-at-those-early-label-albums-of-the/) [Martie Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martie-maguire/) > [You need more than a beginning if you're going to start a book. If all you have is a beginning, then once you've written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-need-more-than-a-beginning-if-you-re-going-to-start-a-book-if-all/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [When there is a mission before you, you see it from its beginning to its conclusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-white/when-there-is-a-mission-before-you-you-see-it-from-its-beginning-to/) [Jesse White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-white/) > [When God made the world, all things began with him. Life, death, it all began when he said so. That includes you and me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manae-poet-of-carisis/when-god-made-the-world-all-things-began-with-him-life-death-it-all/) [Manae Poet Of Carisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manae-poet-of-carisis/) > [From the beginning at Intel, we planned on being big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-noyce/from-the-beginning-at-intel-we-planned-on-being-big/) [Robert Noyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-noyce/) > [In the very beginning, Yelp started as a service where we really didn't think people would write reviews for fun. The whole concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stoppelman/in-the-very-beginning-yelp-started-as-a-service-where-we-really-didn/) [Jeremy Stoppelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stoppelman/) > [Some projects feel like the stars are aligning for them from the very beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/some-projects-feel-like-the-stars-are-aligning-for-them-from-the-very/) [Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/) > [Do not judge me by my beginning, Only by my end, Nor by the path I took, But where it led me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacklyn-h-lucas/do-not-judge-me-by-my-beginning-only-by-my-end-nor-by-the-path-i-took/) [Jacklyn H Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacklyn-h-lucas/) [Browse all 3,566 Beginning quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the beginning, when I was first approached by M.L.S., my mother was not too fond of the idea of me playing professional soccer right away. 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