Success Is Not a Straight Line
Sometimes setbacks are a necessary step toward making progress.
“I am not afraid to make mistakes and am not easily discouraged when I have setbacks because I understand it is part of the process of becoming successful” is the phrase Podium X offered Joëlle d’Entremont, a former Jacksonville University women’s soccer team captain.
Upon graduating with her Master of Science in kinesiology in 2020, Joëlle was encouraged to complete her profile on Podium X, the technology platform developed by XPG to match athletes with opportunities. Describing Podium X as “LinkedIn for athletes,” Joëlle used the Podium X questionnaire to hone in on her personality and skills.
The Novia Scotia native initially connected with XPG Recruit because she saw they had a division dedicated to placing athletes in recruiting roles. Podium X allows users to choose three sentences that describe them based on their questionnaire results. Reflecting on her time as team captain at JU for two out of four years, Joëlle emphasizes her leadership, competitive spirit and determination in the face of setbacks. Joëlle thanks her soccer career for the resilience and character she’s built within herself.
“I played for a club because my small school didn’t have a very competitive team,” Joëlle says. “When I was 13, I made it to the Nova Scotia Provincial Team, which is made up of the best players in the province. I was so proud to play at that level. But the next year, when I was 14, I didn’t make the team. I was the only one of my friends who didn’t make the cut. I was devastated.”
But Joëlle has always been coachable, so instead of giving up, she sought guidance from the coaches who had selected the team to figure out what she could improve. Their advice: you’ve got lots of talent; work on these skills.
Joëlle took the feedback to heart, worked as hard as she could on her game’s technical aspects, and made the team the following year. Through perseverance and dedication, Joëlle pushed herself beyond limits she blew out of the water.
Joëlle’s experience taught her that success is not a straight line; sometimes, setbacks are a necessary step toward making progress.
Thrilled to find a company that understands the value of her athletic background, Joëlle confidently begins her journey at ProCare Therapy with help from her experience with Podium X and XPG Recruit.
Joëlle culminated her career as a midfielder on the Jacksonville University women’s soccer team from 2014 to 2018. She’s played soccer since she was three years old, so leaving it behind will be a big transition. But she knows that the skills she developed as a student-athlete will make her more successful in her role at ProCare Therapy. She had to master managing her time well to juggle classes, training and competition. She’s learned to trust her instincts on and off the field. At ProCare Therapy as a new employee, Joëlle will utilize a mentor to help her learn the ropes, and that’s a model she feels confident will help her get off to a great start.