We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessie Lopez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessie below.
Jessie, 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?
From my parents. Growing up watching my parents work so hard every day to provide a better life for me then they had. Seeing them overcome so many obstacles and never giving up always moving forward showed me that no matter what happens we stay positive, and we always move forward.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
At OC Premier Futsal Academy, based in Irvine, California, our mission is to provide elite-level futsal training and player development while fostering a strong, inclusive community rooted in excellence, discipline, and growth. Established in 2019, we’ve grown to become the largest futsal academy in California, serving hundreds of boys and girls from ages 3–17 through advanced technical training, competitive team development, and premier tournament events.
What makes OC Premier truly special is our unwavering commitment to development over shortcuts. In a youth sports landscape increasingly focused on all-star rosters and trophy chasing, we focus on building players from the ground up—technically, tactically, physically, and mentally. Our coaching staff, led by professionals with years of experience, implements a proven methodology that has helped many of our athletes earn opportunities at the national team level and in top-tier MLS academies.
One of the most exciting aspects of what we do is seeing our players grow—on and off the court. Futsal, with its fast-paced, high-skill demands, sharpens creativity, decision-making, and confidence. Watching our young athletes translate those skills to both soccer and life is incredibly rewarding.
Currently, we’re expanding not only our training locations but also our tournament division. Our Premier Futsal Cup has become a recognized futsal tournament in the region, and we’re set to host multiple editions throughout the year, including an upcoming Summer Edition this June 28–29 at Corona High School. We are also exploring new satellite training locations in Southern California and Florida to extend our reach and impact.
OC Premier isn’t just a training academy—it’s a movement in youth sports. We’re here to elevate the game, develop future leaders, and create lasting impact through the sport we love.
To learn more or get involved, visit us at [Insert Website] or follow us on social @ocpremierfutsal.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities have been absolutely vital in my journey: vision, resilience, and relationship-building.
1. Vision:
From the start, I had a clear picture of what I wanted OC Premier Futsal Academy to represent—an elite, development-first program that stood out in a competitive youth sports landscape. Having a strong, unwavering vision allowed me to stay focused through challenges and make decisions that aligned with long-term goals, not just short-term wins.
Advice:
If you’re early in your journey, take time to define your “why.” Know what you stand for and what makes your brand or mission different. That clarity will keep you grounded when the path gets tough.
2. Resilience:
No success story is linear. There were obstacles—venue issues, scheduling conflicts, doubters, and financial risks. But resilience allowed me to learn, pivot, and grow stronger from every setback.
Advice:
Don’t let setbacks define you. Embrace failure as feedback. Stay adaptable and keep moving forward. Most people quit right before things start to click.
3. Relationship-Building:
Our success at OC Premier wouldn’t be possible without strong connections—with families, coaches, venue partners, and other organizations. Building trust and treating people well created a network of support that continues to open doors.
Advice:
Invest in your relationships. Be reliable. Be humble. Show up for people and surround yourself with others who believe in your mission.
At the end of the day, passion gets you started, but discipline, relationships, and staying true to your purpose are what carry you to the next level. Keep showing up, keep growing, and never stop learning.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, we’re always open to partnerships and collaborations—especially with individuals or organizations who share our passion for youth development, sports excellence, and community impact.
At OC Premier Futsal Academy, we’re currently looking to collaborate with:
Youth soccer and futsal clubs interested in enhancing their technical training through futsal
Brands and businesses that align with youth sports, health, wellness, or education
Investors or facility partners interested in supporting the expansion of futsal events, tournaments, and training centers
Event organizers and sponsors looking to get involved with our Premier Futsal Cup tournaments or community outreach events
Coaches and trainers who are passionate about teaching the game the right way and want to be part of a winning culture
We believe collaboration should be mutually beneficial and mission-aligned. If you’re reading this and feel like there’s synergy, we’d love to hear from you.
📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Instagram: @ocpremierfutsal
🌐 Website: www.OCPremierAcademy.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ocpremieracademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocpremieracademy
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ocpremieracademy
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/oc-premier-academy-futsal-irvine-irvine?osq=Oc+Premier+Academy+Futsal+-+Irvine
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
