Born and raised a Melburnian until the age of seven, Gielnik moved to Brisbane, where she lived in a suburban area described as the place where her sporting talent "blossomed." She played from dusk till dawn alongside her two brothers and sisters. As a child, her mother instilled good morals and values in her from a very young age. This foundation of strong ethics and a close-knit family environment shaped Gielnik's character and work ethic. She recalls how her siblings helped foster her competitive nature, constantly seeking competition. "Movement is destined for me," she described. "I've moved actively since I was a kid. I lived and breathed sports through primary and high school."

PATH TO PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL

Her determination to excel gravitated her towards football, some say that she “had it from the start”, and as time went on, she was "obsessed with getting better and improving.”

When asked if there was a moment when she knew football was her sport, she recalls a significant crossroads in her life. She had been invited to join a basketball team, which would have required her to prioritise it over football. Gielnik loved basketball passionately, at one point playing five games over a weekend and competing in every age group. However, the constant scheduling conflicts between basketball and football forced her to make a difficult decision. Around the same time, she received an offer to travel to New Zealand to pursue a career as a referee, to which she responded with, "there's no way!"

This moment became a turning point in her life. She decided to leave basketball behind and fully commit to football. Her dedication and talent were soon recognised during a school trip, which eventually led her to signing her first professional contract a year later.

Reflecting on her journey, Gielnik said, "It goes for a good story... to never give up no matter how old you get."

STAMPING HERSELF AND HER PASSPORT ACROSS THE GLOBE

Gielnik could also be described as quite the globetrotter. Living in at least six countries (and counting), she was determined to play football around the globe as she believed there was "more football out there."

At 18-19 years old she signed her first professional contract with the English giants, Liverpool. Gielnik described her time at Liverpool as being homesick, freezing, long, and wet. Her move was sparked by her goal to "play in as many countries as possible, to experience all types of cultures, all types of football, and never want to feel comfortable." Corresponding to this was her golden rule: "to always sign a one-year contract in a new country and move on." Even if she had the season of her life, which she most definitely did on multiple occasions, it was important for her not to plateau. "I love the struggle, I'm striving for competition, and I want to be pushed.”

From her stint in England, Gielnik then migrated, playing in Canada, followed by her time with the German giants Bayern Munich. In addition to these clubs, there weren't enough stamps in her passport, so Gielnik continued her journey, playing in Norway, Sweden, Japan, and moving back to England between 2021-2023. As she described her journey, she's definitely been "around the block."

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AND SETBACKS

As an elite athlete, having a resilient, ‘no half jobs’ mentality is only natural. “I feel like I can almost handle anything,” she explains. Gielnik is, unfortunately, too familiar with facing career setbacks, especially leading up to major tournaments. “I’ve had my fair share of setbacks — four calf tears, almost back to back,” she recalls. “Everyone always looks at me, like, how are you going to get through this again? And my response always is, I can’t wait to get back out there.”

Her setbacks have reminded her of just how much she appreciates the national team. Described as both emotionally and physically draining, she emphasised the need to work twice as hard, training more than those who are already fit to play. This dedication stems from her understanding that every moment on the field is precious and not guaranteed.

Gielnik has traveled to and from the other side of the world at least fifty to sixty times throughout her career, whether it’s for club or country. “It’s not an easy process,” she described. “But what I have learned is that I am resilient as hell.” These constant travels, coupled with the physical and mental toll of professional sports, have only strengthened her commitment to her career, and the person she is outside of the sport.

When asked how she’s built her resilient mindset, her response was, “It’s the fear of failure and setbacks.” Gielnik has been in the position of missing out on her first Olympic campaign and not being able to participate in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup due to injury. These moments of narrowly missing her goals have built her resilience. Each disappointment has reinforced her determination to come back stronger, pushing her to her limits and beyond.

MOVING ABROAD, A SACRIFICE 

Moving abroad was a huge challenge for Gielnik. "It’s a beautiful and a miserable experience all at once,” she says, which often leads to sitting in one’s own thoughts. Talking on this, we were reminded of the loneliness one can feel when taking the risk of moving abroad. Gielnik was traveling alone and coming back home to empty apartments, which felt extremely heavy at times. In saying this, she recalled how the relationships she built with her teammates helped fill the void of her family and friends.

As a female athlete, Gielnik had no choice but to make these sacrifices, something not many truly understand. The pressures and demands of professional sports require a level of dedication and commitment that often means leaving behind familiar surroundings and loved ones. The isolation and emotional toll can be profound, especially when home is over 24 hours away. Being constantly on the move, adjusting to new environments, and facing the physical and mental challenges of the sport, all while being far from the support system of family and friends, adds an extra layer of difficulty.

The journey of a female athlete is filled with unique challenges, from the constant scrutiny to the struggle for equal recognition and opportunities. Gielnik’s experience highlights the resilience and strength required to thrive in such an environment. Despite the loneliness and the daunting aspects of being abroad, the camaraderie with teammates becomes a crucial source of support. These relationships help mitigate the sense of isolation, providing a sense of community and belonging in an otherwise demanding and often lonely pursuit.

THE NATIONAL TEAM

Looking ahead at the future, Gielnik knew that being a national team player and wearing the green and gold was a long-term goal for her. To be taken seriously and, most importantly, to put women's football on the map, Gielnik, along with her national team teammates, started migrating abroad.

The set-up of the Australian National team was completely different back then compared to what it is today. There was virtually zero investment and acknowledgment for women aspiring to be professional footballers. The infrastructure, funding, and support that are now available were non-existent. Players were often left to fund their own training and development, with no guarantee of financial stability or career progression in their home country.

As players, they didn’t ask for much aside from wanting to be full-time professional footballers and couldn't afford to stay in Australia on a minimum salary. Moving abroad was the only opportunity they had to get to the present.

Gielnik was playing in the league for a couple of years where things were going well, soon being called up to the national team, making her debut, and, in the Emily Gielnik way, scoring a hat-trick. It was her partner at the time who inspired her to open her own commercial space: a personal training and conditioning gym. "I feel successful when I get to change someone's life, and that's something the outside world probably doesn't know about me - being able to turn someone's life around makes me feel my best." It was during this period that Gielnik found her "sweet spot." She described this period as being "completely obsessed with the gym side of things," leading her to play her best football as she was happiest beyond the field. As soon as she took the pressure off, that's when she started getting the callbacks into camp.

THE EVOLUTION OF FOOTBALL

We also discussed the establishment of the Australian National team, known as the Matildas. Reflecting on the early days, Gielnik noted, "It was good because it's all that we knew." "We were scrambling to get three to five thousand to a game. We got ten thousand, and we were almost crying." The turning point came during an Olympic campaign when momentum began to build. Reflecting on those times, she questioned whether they ever expected to achieve such heights. "Where it was to where it is now, it's totally different," she remarked.

Delving deeper into their journey, we explored whether Gielnik and her teammates envisioned transforming the Matildas into Australia’s most iconic team, despite the challenges and misconceptions they faced as female footballers. She reflected, "Five-plus years ago we did think to ourselves; are we ever going to get anywhere with this? Is there just too far of a gap? It's not about us versus them; we just wanted equality." This sentiment emerged when discussing the inaccuracies often associated with being a female footballer.

As a team, their belief in seizing opportunities was steadfast, even as they questioned whether their moment would come. "Football is about moments, and this World Cup was the biggest moment that changed women's football forever."

THE FUTURE

Speaking about the next generation and what’s to come, Gielnik reveals "It's crazy to think where the ceiling is now because it feels like we've reached it."

She also explains her vision alongside her fellow teammates, expressing their desire to cultivate a thriving professional football league right at home in Australia. Rather than having to relocate abroad for recognition and opportunities, Gielnik emphasised their ambition to establish a strong domestic league. Their goal is to attract world-class players to compete within Australia, ultimately elevating the league to become one of the strongest globally.

EMILY GEILNIK BEYOND THE GAME

Emily Gielnik may describe herself as a risk-taker who is fast and powerful on the pitch, but to us, she embodies exactly what an individual with a 'no half jobs' mentality is — someone who is willing to "sink or swim" to get to the position that they see themselves being in.

Beyond the game, Gielnik is ambitious, influential, and incredibly humble. She continues to pave the way to make football better than it was when she entered it. Gielnik, alongside her teammate Chloe Logarzo, have established Future Baller, a tactical football clinic aimed at nurturing and developing future generations of players in a highly professional and well-structured environment. 

As a person, Emily Gielnik is passionate, hardworking, and genuine. Her dedication to the sport extends beyond her personal achievements to creating opportunities and setting high standards for others. Her journey exemplifies a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to leaving a positive impact on football, both on and off the field.