Jana Mohamed

Croquet Anthony Alexander understands the importance of creating memories that last for eternity. During our conversation with Jana Mohamed, she shared her heartfelt poem “I Am Not My Success, I Am Everything” from her book Stars, Scars, and Everything in Between. Through her words, we discovered that Jana is not only a gifted writer but also an advocate for cherishing life’s most meaningful moments.

This young author is a true student of life and someone who embraces each day as if it were her last. She finds beauty in the simple things: family, friends, her studies, her writing, and the game of croquet.

Q: Jana, tell us about where you’re from and what it was like growing up there. 

I was born in Cairo, Egypt and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Cairo is the city of

life, a place where you can never, ever get bored.

I was lucky enough to be surrounded by my family all the time. They gave me the world —

the best childhood anyone could ever dream of. Thinking about it even makes me smile

right now.

It wasn’t just my family; I was surrounded by my friends too — the same ones who still

stand by my side today. My childhood wasn’t perfect, but when I look back, all I remember

are the good moments: traveling, giggling, sleepovers, sports, and love.

I wouldn’t trade that for anything. It’s the kind of childhood I’d want to give to my own

children one day.

Q: What is your favorite childhood Memory?

In Egypt, holidays mean family. I used to wait for every holiday just to have our family

gatherings — everyone together, dinner on the table, a movie playing, and laughter filling

the room as we reminisced about the good old days. Dad acting like the coolest person

alive. Grandpa and Grandma — the ones we now carry with us in memory.

Beyond family, my childhood was also filled with unforgettable moments with my friends,

who truly became my second family. I remember the silly hangouts, playing football at the

club (we were so bad), playing volleyball with my best friend (that one we were actually

good at), sleepovers, dinners together, and family trips.

Even our small, silly arguments — I remember them all too well.

Q: What’s the passion or work that really lights you up, and how did you find it?

Writing. Always writing.

My grandpa played a big role in that. I was deeply influenced by him — his words, his

presence, his love for storytelling. I guess my love for him made me love what he did. And

he was always writing. So, I wrote too. And I couldn’t stop.

I write when I’m happy. I write when I’m not okay. I write when I need to get something out of my system. I write when I’m in love, and I write when I’m filled with anger. I just write.

I wrote my first book — and it won’t be my last. You’re all just stuck with me... and my

terrible handwriting.

Q: Can you share the story of how Croquet first came into your life?

I used to play volleyball — I was even the captain of my team. Everything was fine until I got

injured. My leg injury stopped me from performing well, and I hated that. I couldn’t even

play for fun anymore.

My dad plays croquet, and one day he mentioned he had a match and told me I should

come watch. So, why not? I texted my friends — we were about 13 or 14 years old — and we

all decided to go.

The team played really well. After the match, someone handed me a mallet and a ball, and

left me and my friends in the court. We were all from different sports — volleyball, karate,

football — so croquet felt strange, unfamiliar.

But everything changed when I scored my first hoop. I was hooked.

After that, I would finish school and rush straight to the courts — playing terribly, but loving every second of it.

Q: When did Croquet shift from being something you played to something you

truly loved?

At first, croquet was just something fun I did with my friends — our favorite hangout spot.

In Egypt, clubs are divided into different levels of competition. I didn’t get the chance to

play at the higher levels with my first team, which made it hard to believe I could ever be a

great player. And honestly, if I’m not good at something, I tend to quit.

But life had other plans.

I had to leave my first team, and suddenly, I didn’t have a place to play — until Khaled

Younis decided to give me a chance. And that’s all I ever needed — a real chance.

At 15, I found myself playing for a top-tier club where nobody really knew my name. I was

just a friendly kid with a big dream. Then life surprised me again — I got the opportunity to

play four important matches for my team. We needed to win all four to make the finals. And

they let me play.

That moment changed everything. I won all four matches. Suddenly, people knew my

name. But that was only the beginning.

Soon after, I was selected to play for my current team — and I can proudly say, it’s the best

club. It feels like home.

Here, I’m surrounded by love and support — hugs when I lose, patience when I’m learning,

and kindness even when I’m being stubborn. When you’re in a place like that, the sport

becomes your safe space. You grow, evolve, and gain confidence.

Croquet is more than a sport to me now — it’s family, it’s home, it’s life. And to my team, I

owe the world. I’d become a world champion for them.

Q: If you could pass on one message or gift to the next generation of Croquet

players, what would it be?

Croquet is a game of patience — a game of life.

As much as you give, you’ll receive — though not always right away. We all love the game,

the competition, and the thrill of winning. But because it’s a reflection of life itself, it’s full of ups and downs.

You’ll never always win, and you’ll never always fail. But when it feels like things aren’t

getting better, don’t lose the fun, the love, the respect — and most importantly, don’t lose

yourself.

You’ll give your all again and again, sometimes until you feel like you’re suffocating. But

when it’s someone else’s turn to win, clap for them with your whole heart — like you’re

clapping for yourself. Because one day, it’ll be your turn, and people will clap for you with

love too.

And when no one is clapping for you, clap for yourself.

Never lose yourself in the game. Remember that even the smallest steps forward are still

steps forward. Never let someone else’s success make you blind to your own.

You can keep up with Jana by following her on Instagram @janaabdelghany_