Johann Smith traveled the world for more than a decade playing professional soccer until, at 30, he decided it was time to embark on life’s next journey. It was a decision that eventually led to Stanford, where Smith, now 34 and a first-year transfer student, is majoring in American history and taking the classes he’ll need to apply to medical school. “I’ve lived one life already; I’ve lived one dream,” he says. “And now I’m here to realize another.” Tackling problem sets with 18-year-olds is “a bit strange,” Smith says, “but I don’t have an ego about that stuff. I have a young spirit, anyway; I have energy. I understand life enough to know that age is just some number.” Smith hasn’t left the world of soccer entirely behind. Since arriving on campus, he has been serving as a volunteer coach for @stanfordmenssoccer, working mostly with wingers and strikers – the positions he once played. And he’s found community in his diverse cohort of transfer students, who number more than 60 and range in age from 18 to 51. “Everybody has a really cool story. Everyone helps one another out,” he says. “If you have a problem, you can give one of your transfer buddies a ring and talk things out. It’s been a good experience.” Link in bio / 🎥 on IGTV 📸: Andrew @brodhead