Nothing Given, Everything Earned: Marley Canales’ Professional Soccer Journey

In this inspiring episode of More Than An Armband, professional soccer player Marley Canales joins host Anja Koehler for a powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, and redefining what it means to lead - on and off the field. Marley opens up about her journey from youth national teams to UCLA, her battle with injury, navigating the draft, and ultimately becoming the first player signed to Zephyr FC in the USL Super League. She shares the tough but transformative lesson that nothing is given - you have to earn every opportunity. Through every setback, Marley learned to lead by example, listen with empathy, and bring others along with her. Her story is a reminder that true leadership is rooted in care, consistency, and the relentless pursuit of growth. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or emerging leader, this episode is packed with lessons on grit, grace, and the power of believing in yourself.