The survivor. Ashleigh Goddard's is a remarkable story. A supremely talented footballer, all she ever wanted to do was kick a ball. She excelled at Arsenal's famed women's Academy and an idle summer brought her to Wayne Rooney's Street Striker and the exposure that a prime time Sky One tv programme would bring.
But it is in her adult years that her story becomes truly remarkable. Having carved out a successful playing career at Reading, London Bees and with FC Nordsjælland and Apollon FC (winning the Danish and Cypriot titles in the process) she returned home to play for Crystal Palace in the Championship. Whilst at Palace she was knocked out during a game. The resulting scan she was sent for by the Palace physio concluded that she had a brain AVM and aneurysm which could burst at any time. She underwent surgery, during the pandemic, and woke to be told that she had had a stroke on the operating table. What reads like a tragic tale is one of hope and determination. She has taught herself how to walk again and is now training with a club with an eye on "the mother of all comebacks". She is truly an inspiration.
This episode has been produced in partnership with our sponsor, Body Mind Performance. BMP, run by Emily Tillman, is a coaching company focused on helping young athletes with the mental and physical challenges of playing competitive football.
For more information about BMP visit:
https://www.bodymindperformance.org/ or find them on Instagram: bodymindperformance_
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