Episode Overview

Podcast: What Are You Made Of?
Host: Mike "C-Roc" Ciorrocco
Guest: Hugh Roberts II, former professional soccer player, creator of Backyard Footy, and founder of Footy's Got You Foundation
Episode Title: Built for the Long Game: Hugh Roberts II on Mindset, Mentorship, and Life After Pro Sports
Date: December 17, 2025

This episode centers on Hugh Roberts II’s journey through professional sports, the mentality required for longevity, and the often-overlooked challenges of life after sports. Hugh shares his foundational values, key stories from his athletic career, and how mindset, mentorship, and adaptability helped him transition to a meaningful life beyond the game. The conversation also touches on issues of representation in sports, the importance of dual-sport participation, building confidence, and pursuing new goals post-retirement.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Hugh’s Foundations & Philosophy (00:28–01:09)

• Resilience and Determination
  • Hugh defines himself by these two traits: "My motto in life is never panic, just adjust…if you were able to have the right mentality, you can get through anything." (00:36, Hugh)
• The Mental Game in Sports and Life
  • Mike and Hugh agree that achieving in sports--and in life--is about more than talent; it’s about vision, commitment, and making the most of one's gifts (01:09–01:58).

Early Years: Sports as a Foundation (02:02–06:42)

• Multi-Sport Athlete
  • Started soccer at age two, inspired by his Jamaican father who played at NC State.
  • Balanced basketball, soccer, karate, football, and track.
  • Emphasizes value in playing multiple sports: "Basketball and soccer actually goes hand in hand…for my 11 years, part of the reason why I lasted so long is because of playing dual sport." (04:50, Hugh)
  • Encourages parents: "If your kid has a passion for…another sport...let them follow that." (04:31, Hugh)
• Soccer vs. Basketball Decision
  • Recruited for high school basketball but ultimately chose soccer, partly to pave a different path for Black kids in the U.S., demonstrating that "soccer is just as cool" (07:54, Hugh).

Mentorship, Mindset, and Confidence (09:17–12:06)

• Impact of Coaching on Confidence
  • Contrasts AAU coach’s supportive style with a high school coach who quickly benched players for mistakes, eroding confidence.
  • "My AAU coach would get into you...but still give you an opportunity to play and perform and work out your mistakes. High school coach...I was like, coach, I literally just got in the game and you’re embarrassing me." (10:28, Hugh)
  • Mike adds: "A really good offensive coach...the guy dropped the ball...guess what? He went right back to him…the philosophy I have with it." (11:27)

The Pathway in U.S. Soccer & Pathways Abroad (12:43–18:31)

• Evolving Opportunities
  • When Hugh was growing up, turning pro out of high school required academy pathways not accessible to all. Now, multiple tiers (MLS, USL) offer more options for young players.
  • Chose college (George Mason University) partly for education—"My parents are big educational people, like you gotta get your degree." (13:54, Hugh)
  • Highlights difference between MLS and European development: Europe emphasizes youth technique and community, U.S. focuses on winning and business. "In Man City, they're equipping their kids…when they're already seven years old…Here…we’re more so concentrated on winning." (15:08, Hugh)
• International Experience
  • Nearly played pro in Jamaica; reflects on infrastructure and declined for finishing college first.

Life After Sports: Identity & Transition (18:34–23:54)

• Recognizing When to Move On
  • "I probably would not have stopped unless God does something in a harsh way for me…so that's what that was like for me..." (18:42, Hugh)
  • Faced transition as coach favored a younger team, leading Hugh to reflect and prepare for post-soccer life.
• Losing -- and Rebuilding -- Identity
  • "These last 10 months are probably the toughest time of my life. I thought my whole career was soccer...you got to go through the valley and see the other side to really realize who you are." (20:45, Hugh)
  • Realized his experiences (co-founding United Black Players Association, Player's Union) prepared him for new opportunities.
  • New career with US Soccer Foundation; aiming to become a future GM or President of a club: "My goal is to be...president of sporting director, GM of a professional sports club." (23:15, Hugh)

Culture, Community, and Sports Fandom (24:07–26:56)

• Sports in Community
  • Mike and Hugh bond over East Coast teams (Eagles, Giants, Sixers, Knicks).
  • "I was actually a little bit of a Sixers fan...because I wanted them to do well too." (24:34, Hugh)
  • Community impact of sports, comparing the U.S. and Europe.
• Support and Positivity in Sports
  • Discussion of how supporting teammates (whether starting or not) demonstrates character and benefits everyone.
  • "When I see that kind of stuff...that's the way I played, man, I supported everybody." (27:13, Mike)
  • "You don’t even realize how important that is unless you play a sport." (27:31, Hugh)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "Never panic, just adjust." — Hugh Roberts (00:36)
• "When God gives you something, like, you don’t take advantage of it. It’s almost a disrespect in your creator." — Mike "C-Roc" (01:40)
• "I want to be different...show everybody, like, soccer is just as cool, even black and brown kids, that we can play this game as well." — Hugh Roberts (07:54)
• "It wasn’t just a talent thing, it was more so just an in here thing." — Hugh, on confidence (11:11)
• "These last 10 months are probably the toughest time of my life...God was protecting me the whole time, building me up, get my mentality ready, my mentor ready." — Hugh (20:45)
• "My goal is to be...president of sporting director, GM of a professional sports club." — Hugh (23:15)
• "If your kid has a passion for, you know, another sport...let them follow that." — Hugh (04:31)
• "You don’t even realize how important that is unless you play a sport." — Hugh (27:31)
• "It only hurts you when you hate on people...it’s really a reflection of what’s going on inside." — Mike (28:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:28: “What are you made of?” – Hugh’s philosophy
• 02:02–05:55: Youth sports & the importance of multi-sport participation
• 07:54: Choosing soccer over basketball and representation
• 09:17–12:06: Mentorship, coaching philosophies, and building/finding confidence
• 13:54: College path vs. pro route debate
• 15:08–16:26: US vs. European soccer youth development
• 18:34–20:12: Transition from pro sports to post-athlete life
• 20:45–23:54: Identity, struggle, and rebuilding during post-sport transition
• 24:07–25:37: Becoming part of a community—sports and city culture
• 27:13–28:11: Lasting lessons from supporting teammates

Final Highlights

• Hugh’s journey exemplifies the importance of resilience, adaptability, and learning from every phase, especially during challenging transitions.
• Both guests stress that mindset, mentorship, and community support transcend the game and can shape a purposeful post-sport life.
• Hugh continues to champion positive change in sports--not just as an athlete, but as a mentor and leader striving to make a difference in his community and the industry.
• The episode encourages listeners to reflect on their own journey, celebrate their experiences, and not let a single identity define their future.

Where to Find Hugh Roberts

• Instagram: @superhuman (“superhughman”)
• Backyard Footy: All social platforms – “backyardfooty” (one word)

For a journey into mindset, mentorship, and reinvention after pro sports, this episode of “What Are You Made Of?” is as insightful as it is authentic—whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or on your own path of growth and discovery.