England and Chelsea star Jess Carter has made a startling confession about her biggest fear – and it's not what you might expect from a top athlete.
The 26-year-old Lioness, who helped England reach the Women's World Cup final last year, admitted she sometimes struggles with imposter syndrome and fears her own success.
'It's weird because I've achieved so much, but sometimes I look at it all and think: "This can't be real",' Carter revealed in a candid interview.
The defender, who's been instrumental in Chelsea's recent dominance of women's football, explained how she battles constant self-doubt despite her impressive trophy haul.
From World Cup Finals to WSL Glory
Carter's career highlights include:
- Starting in England's 2023 World Cup final against Spain
- Winning multiple Women's Super League titles with Chelsea
- Earning 25 caps for her country
Yet the Birmingham-born player confessed: 'There are moments when I'm scared it will all disappear. That someone will wake me up and say it was all a dream.'
The Psychology Behind Sporting Success
Sports psychologists suggest Carter's feelings are more common than many realise among elite athletes.
Key factors include:
- The pressure of maintaining high performance
- Fear of not meeting expectations
- Difficulty processing rapid career progression
Carter's honesty about her mental struggles is being praised as an important step in normalising these conversations in women's football.
The Lioness hopes sharing her story will help other players speak openly about their psychological challenges in the high-pressure world of professional sport.
