Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe may not wear her heart on her sleeve but her roots are plain to see. Her right arm, from shoulder to elbow, is a tattooed tribute to her native Alberta.
The ink depicts the Rocky Mountains -- "my happy place" -- and spruce trees. A compass pointing north shows she is from northern Alberta. A wild rose, Alberta's provincial flower, is coiled around an anchor that reminds her to be grounded and know where you're from. Below a quote, "Be You Bravely," provides words to live by.
It was all done in two sittings. Did it hurt?
"Yes. A lot," the 29-year-old from Stony Plain, Alta., said with a laugh. "More than I'd like to admit."
The word "Free" is inked on her wrist. "That's kind of the reminder that when I'm at my best, I'm free and I'm not thinking, I'm just able to be me and I'm just free."
Labbe's tattoos tell a story and were prompted by moments in her life where she came through hardship or challenges.
The Canadian 'keeper is about to undergo her biggest sporting challenge -- in the Olympic spotlight.
An alternate at the 2008 Games and absent in 2012 for personal reasons, she will be front and centre in Rio as John Herdman's starter in the absence of injured veteran Erin McLeod.
Labbe made her national team debut in July 2008 but found her way blocked by Karina LeBlanc, who retired last summer with 110 caps, and McLeod (115 caps).
Now Labbe, who had 32 caps, is Canada's senior 'keeper. It's not the way she wanted it.
"I never want to get it because somebody else can't have it," she said. "You want to get it because you've earned it and you've worked hard ... I've put in a lot of work over the past few years. I've worked my butt off to get to where I am. I know that any chances that I'm getting is because I've worked hard and I've gotten myself to this level.
"Nothing's by fluke and nothing's been given to me. I've had to work very hard and I've been through a lot of ups and downs in my career."
Labbe credits McLeod for pushing her to get out of her comfort zone and reach new limits.
Labbe spent six years playing in Sweden, divided evenly between Pitea and KIF Orebro, before joining the Washington Spirit this season.
"I was ready for something new, a new challenge," she said.
She also wanted to be closer to her family and thought the competition in the North American league would help her push for the starting spot in Rio.
The road to Sweden started at the University of Connecticut, where she earned 22 shutouts and made 325 saves while earning a degree in early childhood development and education. After her last NCAA game, she was approached by an agent about playing overseas.
"I'm the type of person that when an opportunity comes instead of thinking like 'Oh why would I do this,' it's more like 'Why not? Why would I not take this opportunity to go overseas to play professionally.' So I just kind of jumped on it."
"I'm very open to new things, challenging myself and putting myself in tough environments. I never want to take the easy way out."
As her return ticket to North America, the Spirit ticked a few boxes. The NWSL team plays on grass -- Labbe had been playing on turf in Sweden -- so she had a chance to get comfortable on the natural surface ahead of the Olympics.
Playing with fellow Canadians Shelina Zadorsky and Diana Matheson was also an attraction. The three room together these days.
Labbe, a fitness fanatic, is certified as a personal trainer and plans to work in that field after her soccer career. In the meantime she focuses on herself, doing everything from gym work to yoga.
Confident in her own ability, Labbe says she is ready for Rio.
She has plenty of experience to draw from, dating back to the 2003 Pan American Games. She captained Canada at the last summer's Pan Ams on home soil.
"I'm not try to be anyone else, I'm not trying to be Erin, I'm not trying to be any other goalkeeper in the world," she said. "I'm really just trying to be the best version of myself and that's really all I can do.
"All the experiences in the past have led me to where I am now. I've a lot of different tournament experiences -- playing, not playing -- and I think just all of that combined has brought me to the place I'm in right now. I'm so confident in my abilities and what I can bring to this team. And I know I have some strengthens that can really hurt other teams, so I'm excited to bring that and be able to show the world and ultimately be the best Stephanie Labbe I could be for Canada."
That is no idle claim.
Labbe, who says the mental side of the game has always been her biggest challenge, stepped aside from the national team in 2012 to refocus.
"In 2012 I hit a low in terms of confidence, enjoyment of the game, and I felt very negative and unhappy," she said.
She stepped away "to find my confidence and passion back."
"Looking back, it was the best decision I could have ever made, and I know I am where I am today because of that difficult year. I found a new love of the game, and a new confidence and self-awareness of what I can bring to the game."
