Aaryamann Sethi's Shattered Football Dream and Emotional Battle
At just 14 years old, Aaryamann Sethi faced a life-altering moment that derailed his aspirations of becoming a professional footballer. In a heartfelt vlog shared by his mother, actress Archana Puran Singh, he opened up about the severe leg injury that abruptly ended his promising career path. Once a budding talent playing for England's Queens Park Rangers with dreams of joining the Premier League, Aaryamann saw his ambitions come to a sudden halt after this pivotal incident.
The Turning Point: A Career-Ending Injury
Reflecting on that fateful time, Aaryamann shared, "The tough part was leaving home, and I only decided that I want to leave home and play football in England and you guys made it happen. I left home when I was 14 years old. I stayed there for three weeks and just as I settled in, I broke my leg. Then it became very difficult for me. Then I came back to India and I was in hospital and I got crutches and had surgery done." This injury not only physically incapacitated him but also marked the beginning of a challenging emotional journey.
The Struggle to Recover and Keep Up
Attempting to bounce back, Aaryamann returned to England the following year, but the recovery process was grueling. He admitted, "I went there again next year and it was 10th standard, so I had to also study hard. I was not playing properly because I was still recovering from my surgery. To see everyone around me grow faster and stronger in the age when people are supposed to do that, I was going backwards. I was not able to catch up." The frustration of watching peers advance while he struggled took a significant toll on his mental well-being.
Descending into Depression and Anxiety
The abrupt end of his football dream plunged Aaryamann into a deep emotional crisis. He candidly revealed, "With that dream going away, I got into depression. I still deal with depression. I had panic attacks, anxiety attacks, my hands shake, I have had bouts of depression so much that I would not even come out of my room, and I would stay there all day. London was tough on me." He emphasized that reassurance alone doesn't help in such situations, noting, "Reassurance doesn't help in depression, only spending time with that person does, and you all spend time with me. Mom has been the most supportive."
Overcoming Fear and Discovering Music
This difficult phase also instilled in him a fear of failure, influenced by his parents' expectations. Aaryamann explained, "I got this fear of not succeeding from both of my parents. Every year, when I didn't settle, I started feeling worse. I got desperate after a point and was like kuch bhi chalega, kuch bhi kaam kar lunga. That's when I realised that I want to do music and I will be happy if I continue doing that." This realization became a turning point in his recovery.
Finding Solace and Healing Through Music
Embracing music provided Aaryamann with a new purpose and significantly improved his mental health. He shared, "I don't have depression anymore, which is great. My anxiety is 50–20% of what it used to be. I don't get panic attacks, I don't get stressed out." His journey highlights the importance of resilience and finding alternative passions in the face of adversity.
This story serves as a powerful reminder of the emotional challenges young athletes can face when their dreams are shattered and the transformative power of support and new beginnings.
