Kelley O'Hara Quotes

Powerful Kelley O'Hara for Daily Growth

About Kelley O'Hara

Kelley O'Hara is an accomplished American soccer player, coach, and television analyst, recognized for her exceptional skills on the field and significant contributions to women's sports. Born on April 10, 1988, in Fresno, California, O'Hara discovered her passion for soccer at a young age, playing for various youth teams before joining the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's women's soccer team. Her college career was marked by numerous accolades, including being named to the All-American First Team twice and being awarded the Hermann Trophy in 2009, given annually to the top female collegiate soccer player in the United States. Following her graduation, O'Hara was drafted first overall in the 2010 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft by the Saint Louis Athletica. O'Hara's professional career has been characterized by versatility and success. She played for various NWSL teams, including Saint Louis Athletica, Sky Blue FC, Western New York Flash, and the current team, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) champions, the North Carolina Courage. O'Hara has also represented the United States women's national soccer team since 2013, participating in major tournaments such as the World Cup, Olympics, and various international friendlies. In addition to her playing career, O'Hara has made strides off the field as a coach and television analyst. In 2019, she became an assistant coach for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) women's soccer team, while also working as a soccer analyst for Fox Sports. Quotes attributed to O'Hara often reflect her competitive spirit, resilience, and dedication to the sport she loves: "When I step on the field, I want to make an impact," and "I don't think about where I fit in or what position they need me at; I just go out there and do my best." O'Hara continues to inspire young athletes with her achievements and commitment to women's soccer.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."

This quote emphasizes that true strength is revealed when one has no other option but to be strong. It suggests that in times of adversity, an individual's resilience and capacity to persevere are tested, ultimately leading to self-discovery and growth. Essentially, it underscores the idea that we underestimate our own strength until we're faced with no other choice than to rely on it.


"It's about being comfortable with who you are and not apologizing for that."

This quote emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, individuality, and personal authenticity. In other words, it encourages people to embrace their unique qualities without feeling the need to explain or justify them to others. It's a call to confidence, self-love, and the freedom to express oneself genuinely, without fear of judgment or criticism.


"Being a professional athlete is a small part of who I am, but it doesn't define me as a person."

This quote suggests that while being a professional athlete is an essential aspect of Kelley O'Hara's life, it does not encompass her entire identity. She emphasizes that her athletic achievements are only one facet of who she is as a person. It implies that she is multidimensional and has numerous interests, skills, and qualities beyond sports. This perspective encourages us to remember that our careers or titles do not fully define us, and we should strive to embrace the entirety of our personalities and experiences.


"Success isn't just about winning; it's about the journey and the people you meet along the way."

This quote suggests that success encompasses more than just achieving victories or accolades. The essence of success lies in the experiences, personal growth, and relationships forged during the journey towards a goal. It emphasizes that the process itself is crucial, as well as the diverse individuals encountered on the path to achievement, who collectively contribute to one's development and understanding of life.


"Don't let fear hold you back from chasing your dreams."

This quote by Kelley O'Hara encourages individuals to not allow fear, whether it be fear of failure, rejection, or uncertainty, to impede them from pursuing their aspirations. It underscores the importance of overcoming fear as a means to live a life fulfilled by achieving one's dreams.


I'm lenient when it comes to nutrition rules. I enjoy cooking and baking in general, and I just try to eat whole, clean foods. I try to stay away from processed or boxed stuff - but that's not to say I don't eat that from time to time. I really like making Asian noodle salad and also make soup a lot, like tortilla soup.

- Kelley O'Hara

Salad, Soup, Away, Baking

I still have that forward's mentality that when I have the chances, it just ticks me off if I can't put it in.

- Kelley O'Hara

Forward, Mentality, Still, Chances

No excuses. Play like a champion.

- Kelley O'Hara

Play, Excuses, Like, Champion

It's not easy not getting playing time, but you have to keep showing up and working your tail off to be ready.

- Kelley O'Hara

Easy, Your, Tail, Showing Up

I started playing soccer when I was 4 because my sister was doing it. It was my first organized sport, and my parents thought this was a great way to get coordinated and be part of a team. I had an array of options but eventually figured out soccer was best for me.

- Kelley O'Hara

Thought, Doing, Great Way, Array

It's fun scoring goals, but I also like to stop them.

- Kelley O'Hara

Stop, Like, Scoring, Goals

Inspiring people to look at their goals and go for that and believe in themselves is amazing.

- Kelley O'Hara

Amazing, Go, Themselves, Goals

I love to get out there and sweat and mix things up, whether I'm on the field or in the gym.

- Kelley O'Hara

Love, Out, I Love, Mix

For me, it's really important to take care of my skin. Especially because when I see someone, and they're just so fresh and beautiful, you always notice their skin first. So having a really good skin-care regimen is a must. I just wish I would have started taking care of my skin earlier!

- Kelley O'Hara

Good, Skin, I See, Regimen

It's fun to be able to dress up from time to time and pretend that I don't wear cleats, a T-shirt, and shorts every day.

- Kelley O'Hara

Dress, Every Day, Wear, From Time To Time

They were some of the best years of my life, and I'm so thankful I was able to go to Stanford.

- Kelley O'Hara

Thankful, My Life, Some, Stanford

I would say I eat pretty clean for the most part. Everything in moderation. I don't deny myself.

- Kelley O'Hara

Pretty, Part, Deny, Everything In Moderation

I'm from Georgia and grew up eating Chick-fil-A. I'm obsessed with all forms of fried chicken, like chicken briskets and chicken sandwiches.

- Kelley O'Hara

Chicken, Like, Obsessed, Forms

Soccer fans spend almost as much time outdoors as we do! Whether you're heading out onto the field for practice or cheering from the sidelines, throw a broad spectrum sunscreen into your bag to help protect your skin from the sun.

- Kelley O'Hara

Practice, Sunscreen, Almost, Outdoors

When I was in middle school and even high school, I wasn't comfortable with my body. I look back, and it makes me sad, but I've grown into my body and really embrace it. I don't have the typical girl body; I'm kind of built like a boy.

- Kelley O'Hara

Body, Boy, Back, Middle School

I love how I look. My favorite body part is my butt because that's where we get all our power from, and that's what keeps me going up and down the field and drives my explosiveness. I kind of have a bubble butt, but it helps me do what I need to do!

- Kelley O'Hara

Love, Body, Part, Up And Down

Your No. 1 priority as a defender is to keep the ball out of the back of the net.

- Kelley O'Hara

Back, Ball, Keep, Priority

I first started drinking chocolate milk to refuel in college when one of my assistant coaches said there were studies that proved that lowfat chocolate milk was great for recovery, so after practice, we would get out two big gallons and drink it together as a team.

- Kelley O'Hara

College, Practice, Big, Together

When I go into games as a forward, my job is really clear, and I just have to execute. But as a midfielder, you get to sort of enjoy the game more, and you get to feel the game and dictate the play.

- Kelley O'Hara

Game, Play, Forward, Execute

If you have people invested emotionally in the success of their team, that usually translates to strong attendance.

- Kelley O'Hara

Success, Strong, Emotionally, Invested

The summer before my senior year of college, I would surf every single morning, and I got better and loved it. For me, it is nice to get away from the soccer field and have these other things to clear your mind. You don't have to be good at it; you just do it and enjoy it. It is nice to have that balance, and I need that balance in my life.

- Kelley O'Hara

College, My Life, Other, Just Do It

I have a ton of broken baby hairs in front. It just comes with the territory of being a soccer player.

- Kelley O'Hara

Soccer, Broken, Ton, Hairs

I remember watching the '96 Olympics. For some reason, I was like 'Oh yeah, I'm going to go to the Olympics some day.' At that time as a kid, I did not know for what sport or really anything.

- Kelley O'Hara

Reason, I Remember, Some, Oh Yeah

Be the best teammate you can be, be the best player you can be, and just be as supportive and encouraging for the people who are playing.

- Kelley O'Hara

Supportive, Encouraging, Player

I used to apply waterproof mascara before a game - it was the easiest thing to wear while I was playing that wouldn't sweat off - but not anymore.

- Kelley O'Hara

Game, Apply, Before, Easiest Thing

Life is awesome as a college athlete, and then it's a total cliff to jump off.

- Kelley O'Hara

College, Awesome, Total, Jump

I actually don't wear any makeup when I'm on the field. I like looking nice, but my main concern is how I play - to me, if you look and feel good, then you play good. On the field, I only wear Coppertone Sport SPF 30. I like it because it feels like I'm putting on lotion rather than SPF.

- Kelley O'Hara

Makeup, Play, Feels, Concern

I could wear a dress one day and boyfriend jeans the next. I usually just want to make sure I'm comfortable.

- Kelley O'Hara

Dress, Next, Sure, Jeans

I think soccer in America is growing exponentially, and it's just going to keep getting bigger.

- Kelley O'Hara

Soccer, Think, I Think, Exponentially

For me it's just about that self-confidence and finding what you love and just chasing after it with reckless abandon and never letting anyone tell you that you can't do something.

- Kelley O'Hara

Love, Tell, About, Chasing

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