Meet Andrew Araya

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

Andrew, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

Being a division 1 soccer player and having the privilege to represent the Chilean national team has brought me unforgettable moments. I’ve traveled to Germany, Italy, and Chile, playing the game I love at the highest level. From the outside, it looks like a dream. But what most people don’t see is the struggle, the pressure, the sacrifices, and the emotional toll of being far from the people I love most. Leaving home wasn’t just about missing familiar places, it was about missing my family. My older brother, sister, mom, dad, and girlfriend, grandma, everyone in my family have always been my support. Being thousands of miles away from them, sometimes for months at a time, felt like carrying a weight. There were nights I sat alone in my room, questioning if I was strong enough to keep going. Some nights I couldn’t sleep at all and went on walks knowing the dangers there can be on the streets at 3:00-4 Am. The pressure to perform while silently battling mentally was overwhelming. But I kept pushing. I didn’t let those feelings break me, instead I let them build me. Something I did everyday was reminding myself why I started. I held on to every call, every message, every word of encouragement. I trained harder, stayed locked in, and told myself that if I could get through this, I could get through anything. I learned that being tough isn’t just physical, it’s mental. It’s showing up when it’s hardest. I’ve come out stronger. I still carry the weight, but now I carry it with experience. My family and my girlfriend never stopped believing in me, and that belief got me through when I didn’t believe in myself. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I play Division 1 soccer and have had the incredible honor of representing the Chilean national team, competing in countries like Germany, Italy, and Chile. Throughout my academy years, I was a nationally ranked player and had the experience of winning an MLS Next National Championship. A big highlight of my journey was getting the opportunity to train with Hertha Berlin, which gave me European soccer experience and pushed me to grow both on and off the field. I’m incredibly thankful to Dutchmen FC for helping shape me into the player I am today and opening doors to incredible opportunities. In my first year of college, I was honored to be named to the America East All-Rookie Team and was recognized as a 2x Rookie of the Week, achievements that meant the world to me as I transitioned into college soccer. These achievements were a reflection of the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my game, but I know there’s still so much more to accomplish. Off the pitch, I’ve worked hard to use my platform to inspire others. During COVID, when everything was shut down, I teamed up with a group of my close friends to create a TikTok channel (the.chettiars) where we posted funny soccer content, and it blew up. The channel reached over 50 million views and gained 120,000 followers, allowing us to bring joy and laughter to people during such a tough time. Since then, I’ve continued to grow my personal platform, now with over 15,000 followers and millions of views on all socials, where I share my daily routines, training, and motivational content. I receive messages almost every day from people telling me how I’ve inspired them to stay focused, chase their dreams, and never give up. Knowing that my journey can help others grow motivates me to keep pushing forward.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back on my journey, the three qualities that have been most impactful are discipline, mental strength, and working hard.
Discipline has been a driving force throughout my career, whether it’s sticking to a strict training regimen, balancing my academics and soccer, or maintaining focus on my goals, discipline has kept me grounded. My advice for those starting out is simple: build strong habits early. Consistency in training, eating well, and staying organized is the key to long-term success.
Mental strength has been essential in overcoming the ups and downs of my journey, especially when I’ve faced moments of doubt or been away from my family for long periods. The ability to stay focused, keep pushing, and remain calm under pressure has been the key for me. For anyone out there, my advice is to embrace the challenges. Understand that the tough moments will pass, and the strength you build during those times will help you grow both as an athlete and as a person.
Working hard has been the foundation of everything I’ve achieved. From my training sessions with my dad to pushing myself during competitions, putting in the effort day in and day out has been crucial. For those early in their journey, I’d say don’t shy away from the hard work. Every sacrifice, every early morning, and every extra rep will eventually pay off.
For anyone starting out, my advice is: to stay disciplined, build your mental strength, and commit to working hard every day. The journey won’t be easy, but with these qualities, you’ll be ready for whatever comes your way.

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?

The people who have been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and develop the skills and qualities needed to succeed have been my family and my girlfriend. During some of the hardest times in my career, they were the ones who kept me going, even when I didn’t feel like I could. There were moments when I was struggling deeply, yet I was too scared to speak up about how I was truly feeling. When I would talk to my family or text my girlfriend, I always made sure to act like everything was fine, trying to appear happy, even though inside I was facing some of the toughest times of my life. Looking back, I should have known earlier that I needed to just speak to them about how I was feeling. They never knew the full extent of my struggles because I was too afraid to open up. My family and my girlfriend were always there for me, but I didn’t allow them in because I knew they would have worried, and it wasn’t right if I had them worrying about how I was feeling. If I had been more open and honest, they could have helped me much sooner. Their love and encouragement have been crucial in helping me through some of the darkest moments in my career, and I now understand how important it is to have that support system. Without them, I’m not sure I would have been able to overcome the struggles I faced.

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