Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Miela Sowah . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Miela , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I grew up watching both my parents work extremely hard to create the lifestyle us kids got to live as well as the home they fostered. My parents pushed us kids to excellence as they wanted to show us what we were capable of achieving through dedication and effort. One vivid example of the work ethic they instilled in me came in first grade, when my sports teacher told my parents I had potential as a great runner. However, during a practice race for cross-country, I chose to walk with my friends instead of giving my best effort. My parents didn’t let that slide—they reminded me of my potential and what I was capable of achieving & how I wasn’t using my God given gifts. From that moment on, I never lost a cross-country race throughout my school years, across three different schools. Hard work was always acknowledged in our household, often with rewards that celebrated our achievements. One fond memory I have is the pursuit of Disney Princess Barbie dolls, which I wanted to collect since I saw them. My parents said if you work hard and make u12 basketball Queensland team, they are yours. They put dolls above their clothes cabinet and everyday I would go into that room look at the dolls and then work hard & practice to make the team. When I succeeded, the joy of making the team and earning those Barbie dolls taught me an invaluable lesson: if you want something badly enough, you’ll put in the effort it takes to achieve it.
Another key attribute my parents instilled in us that strengthened our work ethic was the importance of goal setting. Every New Year’s Day we would as a family get open a goal book and write out our goals, from school,to sports,friendships to personal development & faith goals. This tradition gave us a clear sense of direction and purpose for the year to come. It allowed us to envision the exciting possibilities ahead whilst understanding the effort required to achieve those goals and to plan how. This practice has stayed with me to this day and remains a vital tool in driving my consistent hard work and focus.
My parents always supported our dreams, no matter how unconventional or uncertain they were. Whether it was me pursuing basketball, my sister carving a path in media, or my brother following his passion for animation. My parents never wavered in their belief in us. Instead, they nurtured our aspirations, spoke life into our dreams, and instilled in us an unwavering truth: we can chase any dream we desire, but achieving it requires relentless hard work.
One of my life mottos I live by is that ‘hard work will always pay off’ whether it’s short term -in a week or 2 -in a couple of months or if it’s long term years down the track. I know this to be true because I’ve seen it, lived it, and practice it every day. In my chosen career of professional basketball, I continue to realise that hard work is not just about physical effort—it’s about embracing a holistic approach to growth and improvement. I continue to learn the different ways in which I can utilise my work ethic whether that’s on the court with repetition and game like skill sessions, or in disciplinary actions of recovery and doing the little stuff to keep my body peak condition or whether its working on my mental game to sharpen my mental toughness.
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?
I’m Miela Sowah, and I’m a professional basketball player. My journey with basketball began when I was just six years old, inspired by my older sister, Briana Goodchild. She came home one day after school with the co-curricular activities for the term and they were ballet and basketball. Luckily enough my sister chose basketball for that term and continued playing it after. I grew up watching her play and I couldn’t wait for my turn. I still remember my first game—I was so eager that I sprinted onto the court and slid right off! Basketball became a passion of mine, and I worked hard to make teams and grow as a player. At 14, I had a defining moment when my club team, Spartans, won Nationals, something that hadn’t been done in 37 years and I also finished as the tournament’s top scorer. After that tournament I came to the realisation that I was pretty good at the game and I had the potential to take basketball to the next level. From that point on, I decided to fully commit and lock onto that dream of playing professionally. My journey led me to incredible opportunities, including traveling to 8 countries before turning 18, representing Australia in national youth events and earning a full scholarship to Duke University in North Carolina, US. During my four years there, I balanced both academics and athletics, graduating with a degree in Marketing & Management, and Sociology. The road hasn’t always been easy—there were plenty of challenges along the way, that test your dream and how bad you want it, but every step has shaped me into the athlete and person I am today.
Now, as a professional basketball player, I’m living out the dream I set for myself as a young girl. Which surreal every time I take a step back and think about it. As a little kid, I could only dream of playing in the WNBL, becoming an Opal, and representing Australia on the international stage. And now, that dream is becoming a reality. In May this year, I have the incredible opportunity to attend the Australian Opals camp, which has been a childhood dream of mine and something I’ve worked extremely hard for, for many years. On top of that, I’ll also be representing Australia in 3×3 basketball in Thailand and Singapore. It’s a surreal and humbling experience to wear the green and gold, and I’m beyond excited for what’s ahead! I’m passionate about not only excelling in my sport but also inspiring the next generation of athletes to chase their dreams, just as I do. The dream is never out of reach if you believe!
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?
1. Mental is an edge When you hit the professional level in sport, there comes a time when you realise that everyone is physically skill and of high level, the difference between good players and great players is their mind. Sport is such a mental game, I would even say it’s 70-80% mental at this level. The ability to stay composed under pressure, to push through adversity, and to maintain focus when the stakes are high is what separates the best from the rest. Developing mental toughness isn’t something that happens overnight, but like shooting in basketball, it’s a skill that can be trained over time with consistent effort and great discipline. It requires the determination to make intentional choices, especially in moments of disappointment, frustration, or even fear. It’s something that I choose to continue to work on everyday and know it will help me!
2. Belief and confidence
At the end of the day the belief you have in yourself, your hard work and preparation is what will get you to your dreams and where you want to go. When pursuing your dreams, you can’t rely on external sources for validation or motivation. While it’s great to receive encouragement and support from others, not everyone will understand your vision, your struggles, or the sacrifices you’ve made to get where you are. Some will cheer you on, and others may doubt you. The fight and challenge is to stay rooted in your self-belief, regardless of external opinions. With baksetball, everyday you are being assessed on your work (skills) so relying on external opinions is a up and down rollercoaster. Life, just like basketball, will challenge your confidence. Whether it’s a missed shot, a tough loss, not making a team or setbacks in your personal life, these moments will challenge how much you truly trust in yourself and your God given talent. Belief is a skill, like shooting or dribbling, that grows stronger the more you work on it. In those tough challenging moments when things don’t go your way, you have to remember it’s a choice: feed into the doubt and the disappointment or stand firm in your abilities, learn from the moment, grow and get better. It’s something I continue to work on and the power of it continues to reveal itself more and more the older and the further I get in my career.
Improvement Mindset
Having an improvement mindset keeps you focused on the process rather than the outcome. It shifts your perspective from being limited by your current abilities, situation or setbacks to seeing challenges as opportunities for growth. A growth mindset fosters a positive outlook, making the journey enjoyable because there’s always room to get better. And enjoying the process is crucial because you only have one life so you’ve gotta enjoy it! It creates an environment where progress is both rewarding and exciting. An improvement mindset also strengthens your ability to navigate challenges with resilience and determination, allowing you to stay committed to your goals no matter the circumstances.
Advice
For anyone just starting their journey, my advice is to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Growth happens in the moments that stretch and test you the most. Learn to embrace challenges instead of fearing them, and understand that failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s part of the process. A setback if you learn from it ends up getting you one step closer!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My faith, my husband, and my family have been the pillars of my life, shaping me into the person I am today. Their unwavering support has helped me overcome challenges, face hardships, and gain the strength needed to pursue my dreams. Faith has always been my foundation. It guides me through every season of life, bringing peace and clarity, especially in a career as unpredictable as professional basketball. With contracts renewed yearly and constant relocation, faith keeps me grounded in my purpose and reminds me to trust the journey, even when the path is uncertain.
My family’s sacrifices are the reason I am where I am today. From early morning drives to training at 5 AM, balancing school, and investing in teams and tournaments, my parents poured their time, energy, and resources into my dreams. Beyond the countless hours and financial sacrifices, their unshakable belief in me was my greatest motivation.
Then came Josh, my husband, who entered my life when I returned home for summer break from college in the U.S. From that moment on, he became a calm, faith-filled presence, playing an instrumental role in my success—both on and off the court. His unwavering love and trust in God have brought me peace and balance, challenging me to let go of stress and embrace God’s plan. He constantly pushes me to be the best version of myself—as a player, a person, and in faith.
No dream is achieved alone. I’m beyond grateful for the incredible support network I get to do life with, constantly challenging and uplifting one another. Success isn’t just about talent or hard work—it’s about the people who stand beside you through it all.
I answered 2 questions the other one below is to the collaboration question!
I’m always open to collaborating with like-minded individuals and partners who share a passion for creativity, health, and lifestyle.
Fashion has always been a form of self-expression for me—I love how clothing can reflect personality, mood, and confidence. I’m currently exploring the idea of launching an activewear line that blends style and functionality, allowing people to embrace an active lifestyle while feeling fashionable and empowered.
Another passion of mine is nutrition and healthy living. I would love to create a cookbook to share my favorite nutrient-rich recipes—meals that fuel the body, support recovery, and enhance well-being. I’m also excited about the possibility of bringing these recipes to life through a cooking show, where I can share practical tips and healthy eating inspiration with a wider audience.
While these are some of my current ideas, I’m always open to exploring new opportunities and creative collaborations that align with my passions and values.
I’m eager to connect with others who share these interests and explore ways to create, inspire, and make a positive impact!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Miela_goodchild & Athlete_eatsandtreats
- Facebook: Miela Sowah
- Linkedin: Miela Sowah
Image Credits
Neslon Kahler Visuals Pics by Tre Sports imagery
