As an 18-year-old at AFC Wimbledon, Toyosi Olusanya thought he was the man. When he was released after just one, goalscoring, appearance it was a humbling experience.
After two years in Scotland, Olusanya now is the man following a transformative two seasons at St Mirren.
The 26-year-old striker has gone from the potential of being released on a free to first-choice under Stephen Robinson.
And that's thanks to extra work off the pitch going from playing a match and moving on to extra gym sessions, pool work and a focus on nutrition and hydration.
"I would say definitely since coming here it has been transformative for me," said Olusanya, who scored in the 2-2 draw against Dundee.
"I've seen how some of the boys are a good example of how I'm supposed to take the gym, how I'm supposed to take recovery. But when I came here, I'd probably say I was a bit like, I'll do it but not as well as I can.
"But now every opportunity I can get, you know, I'm using it to get in the gym or to get a rub, to get a form roll, to recover.
"Just keep getting the best of myself. I feel like if I can get that extra 1 per cent, it makes a big difference.
"I feel like that year when I was 18 and I was at AFC Wimbledon, I probably thought I was the man, if you know what I mean.
"I had a good season that year. I played well and stuff but it just goes to show that you can think what you think of yourself, but people are looking at you differently.
"I feel like that was a humbling experience for me. And since then, I've always been like, no matter how well you're doing or how the people outside are perceiving you and that, it's not really about that, it's about what you think of yourself and then the people that are judging, you know, the managers and whatnot.
"If you think you're doing well, then you just need to keep humble and keep going because, you know, they might think otherwise."
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Olusanya's stock has risen under Robinson in the past two seasons with the manager a father figure for the striker. A frank discussion between the pair - with an ultimatum delivered over his future at the club - led to an upturn in Olusanya's form.
"Yeah, definitely," said the striker of Robinson being a father figure. "In terms of obviously, just having someone that's actually always looking out for me and wanting the best for me. Definitely, he's been on my side and I appreciate it.
"Obviously, me and the gaffer get on really well with stuff. Even when I wasn't playing, when I first came, we had a relationship where we always spoke. He was always giving me coaching points and always advising me.
"And I feel like the last year, it's gone really well. He gives me a good balance, he keeps me grounded. When I need to stay grounded, every player needs to stay grounded. And also, if my head ever drops and stuff, he helps me to pick it up.
"He puts his arm around his shoulder and motivates me. So I feel like it's a really good balance. And it just helps me to keep going."
While Olusanya is on the right track in Paisley, he has insisted he cannot afford to drop his standards. He said: "I feel like if I was the best player in the world, then I probably wouldn't be here. So obviously, within myself, I know I've got things to improve on constantly.
"I know I've got things that I am good at and things that I can be better at. When you step onto the field, you've got to be confident in yourself and believe in yourself. I always have done and always will do.
"It's about improving and constantly trying to get better. The one thing I don't want to do is revert to type and slack on things because that's when things start to change."
