Exclusive: Soccer Star Sydney Leroux Hopes She's 'a Little Bit of a Trailblazer' in the Sports World: 'It's Been an Amazing Ride'

Sydney Leroux was sidelined last year with a few injuries, but this year, she's back and better than ever.

"I came back midseason and then I was back for two games, but then I broke my ribs and was out again. I am really excited to have a fresh start and join preseason. I'm ready to go! I feel really good. Athletes have had the same lifestyle since we've started playing, and there's a very strict routine when it comes to being a professional athlete, and I think it also keeps you motivated. Continuing my routine and knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel is important," the 33-year-old, who teamed up with Philips Sonicare to motivate people to make positive, healthy changes in their daily lives, starting with oral care, exclusively tells Morning Honey.

"Last year we made it into the playoffs and then we got knocked out in the first round. I look back at last year and I am like, 'Oh, we could have won the whole thing.' We just have to believe we can do it because we've turned a huge corner. Midseason we only lost one game, which was crazy!" the athlete, who plays forward for Angel City FC in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), adds. "We were basically in last place, so it was a really exciting season, and I think it's something to build off for sure."

Though retirement may not be on the horizon just yet, the brunette beauty, who shares daughter Roux James and son Cassius Cruz with ex Dom Dwyer, shares what kind of legacy she'd like to behind. "That I was a really good teammate and that people enjoyed playing with me. I think that's really important because your team becomes your family," she shares. "We're together all the time and my best friends are people that I've played soccer with since I was 9 or 10 years old. Those relationships are so special, but again, it's more than just the game, and to just be able to push the envelope and push for me. I hope I'm a little bit of a trailblazer and a good teammate and person."

From fighting for equal pay and more, Leroux is thrilled that people are following her and her teammate's journeys. "My team sells out every game and people are always watching, which is amazing," she notes. "Having women's sports available to watch, just like they do with men's sports, is really important. I want to see more women's sports on TV."

"It's been amazing ride," she continues. "I grew up in Canada, so I didn't really have anyone to look up to, especially someone that looked like me. I have children, and it's important to model positive behavior for them and our young fans. If you stay true to yourself and you're honest, that's what everyone wants from you. I hope I've done a good job of that. Now that I'm getting toward the end of my career, it's crazy to look back and see how far I've come."

Since the mom-of-two is all about making sure she's in tip-top shape, it was only fitting for her to partner with Philips Sonicare to talk about their Philips Sonicare power toothbrushes, which are designed to maximize oral healthcare routines in just two minutes. Leroux is encouraging people to focus on themselves through creative motivational tactics.

"It's been a great partnership," she shares. "I've partnered with the folks at Philips Sonicare to try and inspire people to establish their own healthy routines. I think having a routine, no matter how small, like two minutes of brushing your teeth each morning is really important, especially when it comes to the impact on oral health and brushing your teeth, which is obviously very good for you. Starting and ending the day with that feels like a sense of accomplishment. It's an amazing experience to work with them and partner with them. I'm happy to continue the conversation with these little routines and how it can make life a little easier."