"THERE IS NO COMEBACK WITHOUT A SETBACK" by Xandria Johnson

Xandria Johnson

School District: Brownsville Independent School District

High School: Rivera Early College High School

Sports Played: Basketball and Volleyball

Class of 2026

 Academic Achievements and Awards:

2023

32-5A All-Academic Team, Top 5%

Athletic Achievements and Awards:

Volleyball 32-6A Newcomer of the Year, 32-6A 2^nd Team All-District, 32-5A Middle Blocker of the Year, 2^nd  Team All-State, 32-5A MVP, Basketball 32-5A Defensive MVP, 2^nd Team All-Area

I was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, and have lived here my entire life. Growing up in this community has played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Sports have always been a big part of my life, especially since my dad was an athlete and a huge sports fan who introduced me to them at a young age. I started playing tee ball at three years old and moved on to kickball at four and five. Between the ages of five and thirteen, I played basketball and volleyball while also participating in sports like softball and tennis. In second grade, I began running miles competitively, which led me to continue with cross country and track as I got older. When I entered high school, I chose to focus mainly on basketball and volleyball, and through all of these experiences, sports have shaped my discipline, teamwork, and competitive drive.

My dad is my role model because he taught me the value of learning from mistakes and not dwelling on the past. He's been my biggest motivator since childhood, during my first mile race when he pushed me to finish even when I wanted to quit. On days when I felt like giving up on my sport, he always provided the advice and motivation I needed to keep going. He has shown me that it's okay to change for the better. My dad's influence extends beyond just encouragement; he embodies resilience and growth. He's faced numerous challenges in his life, each time becoming stronger and wiser. He taught me that setbacks are opportunities for learning and that dwelling on past failures only slows down progress. His emphasis on continuous self-improvement has inspired me to embrace change and aim for personal growth. His guidance has introduced me to a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and the ability to persevere through difficult times. He has not only taught me the importance of learning from mistakes but also demonstrated how to turn them into valuable life lessons. His unwavering support and belief in my potential have shaped me into the person I am today, and I am grateful for his constant presence and guidance in my life.

Shop Embrace Doubt - Support Student Athletes

My message to athletes entering high school is to embrace imperfection. Don't let others' opinions define you. Everyone will have an opinion, regardless of your performance. How you handle these outside voices is what matters. You can let them change you, or you can stay true to yourself. Perfection isn't attainable; we all make mistakes. In sports, especially volleyball, errors are inevitable. My advice: don't let mistakes or opinions discourage you. Be confident, be yourself, and believe in your abilities.

During my sophomore year of high school, my coaches had high expectations for me to be one of the next leaders on my team. I had been in situations like this before, but the difference this time was that people talked behind my back. People who I thought were there to help me and support my growth, were not. This led me to doubt my abilities and who I was as a person. I wanted to transfer schools and even quit the sport I loved so dearly. I overcame these thoughts by turning to the people who never doubted me: my family. My parents constantly reminded me that I loved the sport for a reason. They constantly assured me that I played well on days when I felt I was at my worst. To any young athlete considering quitting your sport, it’s not worth it. If I had quit my sport, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t have accomplished the things I was able to accomplish. At times when you feel your world is falling apart, remember there is a light at the end of that long, dark tunnel where success lies. Keep in mind: pressure makes diamonds.

Toward the end of my sophomore year, I tore a ligament in my right ankle, which was one of the most difficult setbacks I have faced in my athletic career. The injury significantly impacted my performance and forced me to step away from the sports that had always been a major part of my life. During that time, I questioned whether I even wanted to continue playing. I felt frustrated, disappointed, and doubtful of my ability to come back stronger than before. However, this experience reminded me of the importance of mental toughness. I told myself that there is no comeback without a setback, and I began shifting my mindset from frustration to growth. I committed to physical therapy and worked hard to rebuild my strength, while also reflecting on what led to the injury. I realized I had been overworking my body and not allowing it proper rest, so I chose to see the setback as a lesson in listening to my body and trusting the recovery process. Although the injury was challenging, it ultimately strengthened me mentally and taught me resilience, patience, and self-awareness.

Growing up in Brownsville, Texas, sports shaped who I am, and I want to make sure the next generation of athletes feels supported in ways that some of us did not. I plan to give back by mentoring younger athletes and reminding them of the lessons I have learned through doubt, injury, and criticism. I want to be the person who encourages them to embrace imperfection, block out outside negativity, and play with confidence. After tearing a ligament in my ankle and facing moments where I wanted to quit, I learned that mental toughness and having a strong support system make all the difference. I hope to inspire young athletes the way my dad and my coaches inspired me; by teaching them that setbacks are part of the journey, pressure creates growth, and believing in yourself is just as important as physical ability. By sharing my experiences and leading by example, I want to help them build resilience, confidence, and a genuine love for their sport.

The most meaningful advice I received was from my volleyball coach, Lester Shears, who said, “A player who plays with confidence is less likely to make mistakes than one who doubts themselves.” This advice, from the coach who ignited my love for volleyball, has stuck with me since. Lester Shears passed away on June 24, 2022.

Embrace Doubt means acknowledging insecurities and using them to analyze performance, seek feedback, challenge assumptions, and build resilience, ultimately turning uncertainty into a motivation for improvement.

In the next five years, I see myself having completed my college degree and stepping confidently into a role where I can make a meaningful impact as both an educator and a coach for student-athletes. I want to be in a position where I am guiding student-athletes not only in developing their athletic skills, but also in strengthening their mindset, discipline, and character in the classroom and in competition. My goal is to create an environment where student-athletes feel supported, challenged, and motivated to grow academically and athletically. I hope to build a program centered on accountability, confidence, and resilience; helping student-athletes recognize their potential and push beyond their limits while maintaining balance and self-awareness.

-Xandria D. Johnson/ Embrace Doubt Foundation 2026

Photographer- Jeff Trevino and Mario Molina

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