Just over one year ago, she took a leap across country, moving on from her career at Vanderbilt University by relocating to Portland in pursuit of a dream she’s had since she was five years old. Now, Simone Charley has done from training as an unsigned player fresh out of school to somebody who the two-time defending NWSL champion Portland Thorns FC has relied on over the last month-plus.

On this edition of Breaking Lines, we talk to the collegiate triple-jump standout about her path, the drastic changes her life has undergone in the last 18 months, and a present that’s seen her professional soccer dreams come true.