Meet Kindall Kaufmann

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kindall Kaufmann. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kindall , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience has been cultivated from an early age through the challenges and adversities I encountered. Growing up with my father as my sole guardian, we faced significant financial hardships, particularly following the 2008 economic downturn, which resulted in our homelessness and dependence on friends for temporary shelter until we found an apartment in a perilous neighborhood rife with drugs and gangs. Despite the unsanitary living conditions, we made it our home. I remember relying on candles for light due to unpaid electricity bills, while my teachers often provided me with meals because my father struggled to afford groceries. This led to bullying from classmates who viewed me as different and impoverished. At 11, I began working at an ice cream shop with my father, often staying late into the night on school days. Although I carried many responsibilities, soccer served as my refuge; I would practice for hours against the shop wall, developing my skills and laying the foundation for my future as an athlete. On the field, I experienced a sense of worth and empowerment that starkly contrasted with my feelings of inadequacy in other areas of life. These challenges persisted throughout high school and college, leading to periods of self-destruction, as I often felt overwhelmed by my circumstances. Nevertheless, these experiences have shaped my young adult life, teaching me to learn from failures and setbacks, ultimately fostering a mindset of optimism and effective coping strategies that have been instrumental in my success. I am where I am today because I am resilient!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Kindall Kaufmann, and I’m a 25-year-old raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Ever since I was young, I aspired to represent the USA Women’s National Soccer Team, with soccer being the central focus of my life. I excelled as a dual-sport varsity athlete in high school and competed at the national travel club level experience various challenges along the way but overcame and accomplished getting an Athletic Scholarship to play college soccer. Unfortunately my college experience took a turn when a significant injury threatened my athletic career. After a lengthy hiatus from sports, I stumbled upon Teqball, a sport that combines elements of ping pong and soccer, and I was immediately drawn to it. Now, a year and a half into my Teqball journey, I am proud to be ranked #1 in the country for women’s singles and among the top players globally in women’s doubles and mixed doubles, representing Team USA on the international stage. This year, I will compete in the 2024 Teqball World Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in both women’s singles and mixed doubles, with my sights set on becoming a World Champion. I have realized my childhood dream has become a reality and am excited to share the passion and opportunities this sport has given me with others. Teqball has transformed my life, motivating me to return to competition, coaching and start my own private coaching business, allowing me to give back to the community and teach the game I love to the next generation and show them dreams do come true.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three fundamental qualities that have profoundly impacted my path to success are persistence, integrity, and confidence. Persistence embodies the determination to continue striving no matter what, closely tied to my highly competitive nature. Integrity highlights the significance of honesty and self-discipline; my father, a soccer coach for 25 years, often states, “ If you’re cheating, the only person you’re cheating is yourself”. Confidence signifies my ability to believe in my skills, even amidst skepticism from others. As an athlete, confidence is crucial, and I resonate with Kobe Bryant’s assertion that “confidence comes from preparation.” I have faith in my abilities, even in the absence of external validation, due to my commitment and hard work. These characteristics have shaped who I am today. I advise younger athletes to recognize the value of persistence, uphold integrity, and foster self-belief, particularly when confronted with doubt from those who may resent their success and aspirations.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

As both an athlete and a human being, I often turn to coping strategies acquired from various programs when I feel overwhelmed. In our fast-paced lives, it is crucial to prioritize self-care. I maintain a rigorous workout routine, exercising five to six days a week, which contributes to my physical health. However, I recognize that mental well-being is equally vital. My self-care practices include walking my dog, engaging in mindfulness, reducing screen time, yoga/mobility and utilizing cold plunges to reset the Vagus nerve. As an athlete, I experience high levels of intensity, and I find that contrasting this with extreme temperature changes helps me regain balance. Additionally, I practice deep breathing in the sauna, as mastering breath control is essential for managing stress. I have also benefited from the guidance of an exceptional therapist over the past two years, who has helped me navigate my emotions, allowing me to respond to overwhelming situations more constructively. Despite my athletic lifestyle, I still love to indulge in ice cream after a challenging day. Don’t be afraid to take time for you and find joy in the little things.

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Louis Pei

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