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We asked our favorite industry VIP’s to share what’s on their minds, what they’re working on and what makes them tick. jam is so excited to have Mackenzie as our VIP!

Eleven - year - old Mackenzie Saunders, or Mack, as she is known by her friends and family, has a passion for playing soccer. While showing her stuff as goalie of her community team, she collided with another player causing a rare spinal injury. The injury left Mackenzie unable to move her lower body until she started treatment and physical therapy. Some thought Mack wouldn’t walk again but we were SO floored and impressed when she walked onto the set of The Today Show in New York last week! Mackenzie has overcome all odds with her incredible optimism and will to play soccer again. We got a chance to catch up with Mack to find out more about this courageous young girl and all her secrets to staying positive!

You’ve inspired so many people with your story and recently you came to New York for The Today Show! What was your experience like being on such a widely broadcast show in the big city?

We got a tour of all the NBC shows. We walked around a lot and saw a lot of stuff. My favorite part of the city was Times Square. There were so many lights, it was really cool. Everybody at the Today Show was really, really nice.

We know you LOVE soccer. With your positive attitude, there’s no doubt you’ll play soccer again! What steps are you taking in therapy and in your everyday life to come back stronger and better than ever?!

Yes, I started playing soccer when I was 6 and it was a great way to meet people and I really enjoyed it. I play goalie and defense. Right now, I go to physical therapy 2 times a week for a couple hours and so a lot of stretching. Playing soccer again is really what motivates me to keep going.

So we see you’ve started journaling your progress on CaringBridge.org. What made you decide to write every day? Do you feel that recording thoughts is a good way for young girls to learn about themselves and grow?

A lot of people were asking how I was doing so I wanted to keep everyone up to date.

So you’ll be going into the 7th grade next year! What is your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject is math. I actually want to be a photographer when I grow up, even though it has nothing to do with math!

What do you love to do in your downtime when you can just hang out with your girlfriends?

My friends and I hang out in my room a lot and talk or go to the movies. I just saw “Valentine’s Day” which was really good. I love Taylor Lautner.

What do you never leave home without?

Never leave home without my phone! It’s how I stay in touch with all my friends.

What’s your secret for staying positive… even in the toughest situations?

I just keep telling myself that I’ll be better one day. My advice for JAM girls is really just to stay positive when life gets tough.
Find out how you can help and support Mackenzie or Go Mack!

For more self-esteem tips and activities for girls, check out My Self: A Guide to Me in the My Tween Lifestyle Collection