I got to experience soccer at the highest level at a young age I decided I wanted to be part of that for as long as possible.

Hamm frames elite sport not as a single achievement but as an early revelation that shaped a long-term commitment. Experiencing “the highest level” while young suggests formative exposure—seeing what excellence looks like up close—and the quote emphasizes a deliberate choice to pursue longevity within that world. The focus is less on talent than on intention: once she understood the standard and the environment of top competition, she oriented her life around staying there. Implicitly, it highlights how early opportunities can crystallize ambition and how sustained participation at the top requires ongoing dedication beyond initial success.