For many an athlete, reaching the professional ranks can be seen not only as the pinnacle of one’s career but of one’s life in general. All the long hours in the gym, the pain, the workouts, the reps, eventually paid off.
But also for many an athlete, people sometimes forget that athletes are still human beings when it is all said and done.
Chantelle Anderson was chosen in the 2003 WNBA Draft and had a six-year playing career in the pros–primarily with the Sacramento Monarchs and San Antonio (Silver) Stars, but even she struggled with personal demons while her career was going on.
She even fought through problems even before she made the big time. Her parents divorced when she was young and her family went through financial hardships.
It was physical abuse at the hands of my mom.
We would get beaten for doing nothing. Had to lock ourselves in the room sometimes and she’d be banging on the door.
–Chantelle Anderson to WFOR-TV CBS 4 Miami
Basketball was a way for her to cope with her inner struggles as it gave her a sense of self-confidence. She earned a scholarship to Vanderbilt but before she started at the Nashville college, she was sexually assaulted at a party.
That was the end and my world just crashed and it felt like it was going to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Anderson did not allow adversity to beat her – she beat it by coming Vanderbilt’s all-time leading scorer.
After retiring in 2009, she has since began a web series entitled “Call Me Miss” where she aims to inspire other women to persevere and face challenges in their lives with confidence.
Whenever we are going through these difficult things, there’s a point where we are in it and we are just trying to survive.
–Chantelle Anderson
(Original Story: CBS Miami)
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
