As the Philippine National Women’s Football team continue to prepare for their stint in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, team captain Tahnai Annis joined the #BetterToday “Power Move Project” conversations on mental resilience and her love for football.

“The best thing about football is getting to know people from all different places and walks of life. I love that football has given me the opportunity to travel the world and see how people from other cultures and customs live,” Annis shared over Zoom, during a short break in their camp in Costa Rica.

The midfielder also said that she gets a purpose, knowing that the national team is doing well. “We’re being seen as role models for several players -- boys and girls alike – that they can follow their dreams and make a career out of it.”

Powering through and staying grounded

Annis shared that time for oneself is important to keeping her mental health strong. “I make sure that I get time for myself where I can recharge and regenerate on my own, so that every time I’m in a team setting, getting ready for matches and training, I’m able to be back 100%.”

The footballer also underscored the importance of staying grounded. “It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and lose yourself along the way. You need to step back and take care of yourself, so that you can perform your best for the team.”

For the next generation of athletes, Annis advised that they should pursue their passion and purpose in life, no matter what. “It can be scary, but trust and believe in yourself, that if it’s really what you want to do, it can be done. There’s no one formula to reach that goal, it is different for every person. You’ll make mistakes and learn along the way, but in the end it will be worth it.”

The Power Move Project is part of the #BetterToday initiative of PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), which seeks to help uplift and improve the overall digital wellness of Filipinos, and underscores the commitment of the telco group to the UN Sustainable Development Goals #3: Good Health and Well-Being.

Watch the episode on >Better Today’s Facebook Page.