Beth Mead has become a household name thanks to her successes with Arsenal and England, but she’s faced huge personal challenges in the past year. After becoming the top scorer and player of the tournament in England’s historic UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 triumph, the 28-year-old Mead admits she still can’t quite believe her newfound fame. Despite her success on the pitch, she has endured her share of tough times in the last year. This includes a knee injury that left her on the sidelines for 11 months, causing her to miss the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Additionally, she also lost her mother to ovarian cancer in January 2023.
Measuring her grief while recovering from the injury, Mead has found solace in football, which has been her escape from personal struggles. She shared her story of dealing with loss and continues to honor her mother’s memory through her work with ovarian cancer charities. Mead, along with her girlfriend and fellow Arsenal player Vivianne Miedema, underwent ACL injuries at the same time, which added emotional and physical challenges to their recovery process. Despite the hardships, Mead is grateful to be back in action and is using her platform to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and support other women facing similar struggles.
Reflecting on her life-changing success at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, Mead still finds it surreal when people recognize her in public. She was awarded an MBE for services to football and had the opportunity to meet Prince William during her investiture at Windsor Castle. Mead acknowledges the progress made in women’s football but emphasizes the need for further growth and respect for the game. She is working with McDonald’s on their Fun Football program, which aims to provide children aged 5-11 with free football coaching and create more inclusive pathways for young girls interested in the sport.
Mead’s personal journey, including her commitment to raising awareness about ovarian cancer, has been marked by resilience and determination. Despite the setbacks and challenges, she remains focused on giving back to the community and inspiring the next generation of female footballers. Mead’s story is a testament to the power of sports in overcoming adversity and finding purpose through passion and perseverance. Her work with McDonald’s symbolizes her dedication to creating a more accessible and welcoming environment for young children to pursue their football dreams. As she continues her career with Arsenal and England, Beth Mead is an inspiration to all who face life’s struggles with courage and resilience.
