Do It Anyway: Hustling When Its Hard

Do It Anyway: 

Let’s get something straight: Success is not handed to you on a silver platter. There will probably not be a perfect moment or one day when the stars align. This isn’t Disney.  It’s about grinding every single day, pushing through the rejection, and doing what needs to be done, no matter what. In sports media (Or any career), where every position is earned, not given, that’s exactly what it takes to stand out. You get knocked down? Fine. Get up, dust yourself off, and do it again. And again. And again. 

Rejection? It’s Just Part of the Game.

I’ve learned one thing working in sports media: you will be rejected. A lot. Not only from job applications but from people who dont think sports is a good career path. Whether it’s trying to land that internship with the Dallas Cowboys or breaking into the media scene with a major league team, you’re always fighting for a spot that feels impossible to get. But let me tell you something—no one cares that you’re tired, no one cares that you’ve been turned down. They care about results. 

They care about who’s gonna keep showing up, even when the world says “no.”

When I reached out to the Texas Rangers organization for the 100th time, I wasn’t backing down. My resume has been shoved in any inbox I can get a hold of.  I called any number I could track down. Was I sent to voicemail multiple times before? Yep. Was I tired of hearing no response? Absolutely. But I didn’t stop. I kept pushing because I knew that one day, someone would finally say yes—and that’s exactly what happened. Now my summer is gonna be on Dallas time, kicking it in blue and red.

That’s the hustle. That’s the grind. You push until they can’t ignore you anymore. You go until they have no choice but to give you a seat at the table.

The Little Things That Lead to Big Wins

It’s the little things that people don’t talk about—the stuff no one sees—that actually sets you up for success. Make your bed. Write down your goals. Getting up, even when you want to hit snooze. These things might seem small, but they add up to something big. Consistency. Discipline. If you can’t even do the small things right, how are you going to handle the big things?

I’ve been through the grind. My past two summers have been waking up at 6 am, journaling, driving 45 minutes to make pregame meetings, sitting in the dugout getting beyond sunburnt while photographing game day till 11:30 pm, then busting it to the gym in the dead of night, then repeat. I am literally still a college student, knee-deep in 21 hours of classes, balancing 3 jobs- one that isn’t even sports-related- a social life, a boyfriend, and a pretty killer daily gym addiction. And while it’s hard, I LOVE IT.  

Dont get it twister here. This is not the “hustle culture” where you burn out in six months. I’m talking about doing the work every single day because you WANT it and NEED it. When you get excited about challenges and hardships, that’s when you know you’ve got a good mindset. Maybe it’s just the awesome example of a hard worker I have through my father, but I have grown to love working. I  love adversity, I love being tested; I love proving what I can do. So whether it’s journaling your goals at 5 AM or hitting the gym after a 12-hour game day. The habits you form today are the foundation of your success tomorrow. Period.

Keep Going Even When You’re Tired

I’m not a scientist, but I can tell you 0% of employers are going to care how tired you are. No one wants to hear about how tired you are. We’re all tired. I’ve been there. You’ll stay up late, working on photos, editing content, and dealing with deadlines that never seem to stop, maybe even chasing that degree like me right now. But here’s the deal: No one is going to pity you or give you a break. If you want to make it in sports media, or in anything for that matter, you’ve got to be willing to put in the work when no one’s watching.  Determination outweighs motivation 100% of the time. 

When I’m out there taking photos at a game, managing content for clients, or working late pick-up shifts at the Unvieristys gym, the hustle never stops. I don’t get to take a break just because I’ve worked all day. I push through because I know that every shot I take, every post I make, every hour clocked in gets me one step closer to where I want to be. 

Get Back Up and Do It Again

You will fail. You will hear “no” more times than you can count. You’ll be tired, frustrated, and ready to quit. But here’s the truth: that’s when you need to double down. You don’t stop. You don’t let the rejection define you. You get back up, show them what you’re made of, and do it again.

Success isn’t about luck or being in the right place at the right time. It’s about relentless hustle and the ability to keep going when others would quit. It’s about showing up every day and doing what needs to be done—even if you’re the only one who believes you can make it. Keep pushing, keep hustling, and keep showing up. You’re the only one who can make your dreams happen. And I promise you, it’s worth it. 

So, when they tell you “no,” when you feel like you can’t go any further, remember the famous and overly used TikTok Audio: Do it anyway. Do it tired. Do it alone. Do it Stressed. Do it in a bad mood. DO IT ANYWAY.