When your own world stops seeing you, life gets very heavy.

In this episode of The Grind & The Glory, goalkeeper and USSF Licensed Referee Vinny Andriolo opens up about growing up different in the 90s, the moment everything broke inside, and how football – and Dade County FC – helped bring him back to life.

Together with Joe, they talk about:

What it feels like when your family doesn’t really see who you are

How growing up in the 90s made you “tough”… but also left scars

Why Vinny says “the pandemic saved my life”

The role Dade County FC played in his comeback

Identity, mental health and rebuilding yourself slowly

Joe’s honest reflections on parenthood and “getting it wrong” sometimes

Why keeping a sense of humor is non-negotiable, even in the darkest moments

This is not just a foo ...