ABOUT GRITNESS

GRITNESS focuses specifically on mental toughness training.

All athletes will face challenges both on and off  the field. There is a common misconception that you are either born with mental toughness or you aren’t.

The truth is GRITNESS is a skill you CAN practice and advance. GRITNESS is here to help players and parents learn different techniques for hurdling various obstacles from performance anxiety to recovering from injuries to recognizing personal goals and crafting the skills to achieve them.

More About Our Founder

Lindsey Huie grew up in Mission Viejo, California with an intense LOVE for all sports but especially soccer.  A multi athlete, Huie, who never played organized basketball, made Varsity as a Freshman and started as point guard.  She also held the school’s female 800 meter record at 2.08 minutes.  Since basketball and soccer are the same season Huie was forced to pick just one fall sport.  It was no surprise that Huie chose her passion and went with soccer, where she was a three-year letter-winner, two-time All SCL First Team player and once chosen as the CIF Defensive Player of the Year.  Huie went on to play for the University of Portland on a soccer scholarship from 2001-2005, where she was coached by soccer legend, Clive Charles.  2001 presented with an immediate challenge due to another knee injury where Huie was granted a medical hardship waiver in order to regain the season she lost.  In 2002 as a redshirt Freshman Huie earned her first Division 1 National Championship in overtime and garnered another National Championship in 2005 alongside U.S. National Teamer and Phenom, Megan Rapinoe and International Super Star, Christine Sinclair.

 

In 2001, Huie was called up to the US Under 18 National Team where she was later cut from the team.  Huie spent the next 2 years crafting a tighter game and working on all aspects of her game, mental and physical.  Huie was called up to the US Under 21 National Team in 2003, more prepared and strategic this time, she earned a starting spot winning the 2003 and 2004 Nordic Cup and playing alongside US National Teamers Ali Krieger, Becky Saubraun, Ashlynn Harris, Leslie Osborne, Carli Lloyd and Natasha Kai.  In 2005, Huie recorded her only appearance with the Women’s U.S. National Team in the Algarve Cup.

 

During Huie’s collegiate and National team career unbeknownst to many of her teammates and coaches Huie successfully managed her hyperthyroidism, also known as Grave’s Disease.

 

After just 2 years with CDA SLAMMERS FC (Orange) she would be the first to win a State Cup Title with her G2011 team with an overall record of 28-4, 11-1 in league, and 152 goals and giving up 38 with a goal differential of 114!  She has promoted every team coached to the next level of play.

 

In 2019, Huie returned from retirement  to play semi professional soccer for LA Galaxy OC in the UWS.  She made five appearances in 2019, scoring one goal and recording two assists, and was included once in the UWS Team of the Week.  LA Galaxy OC went on to win the UWS Championship July 2019.

 

In September 2019, Huie suffered an unexpected heart attack while coaching.  The cardiovascular disease would force Huie into permanent retirement from playing but would keep Huie coaching on the field.  Huie has since used that obstacle as an opportunity to become an Ambassador for the American Heart Association.

 

Huie is hopeful to write a book about her experiences as a player and coach and sharing her formula for success.  She also hopes to teach a Mental Toughness course  at a Junior College/College/University inspiring the next generation of student-athletes to battle through their adversities and reach their personal goals with Emotional Intelligence.

THE SQUAD

GRITNESS is proud to build and partner with a strong network of resources that specialize in accompanying aspects of athletic development.

WHO WHAT
Sonnia Manzo University of California, Irvine: Undergraduate Admissions & Transfers, NCAA Rules and Regulations, Financial Aid and Scholarships
Danny Califf Director of Boys Mentoring
Karen Willoboughy Sports Health, Thrive Nutrition Coaching
Chris Phillips Physical Therapist, Compete Performance
Brandon Thomas Strength & Conditioning, Evosportstraining.com; College Player Profiles
Kamer Migirdichian Sports Chiropractor, Newport Crest Medical
Chris Rameriz & Candice Silva Private Training, Tough N Go
95th Minute Media Digital Media