GRL Pep Talks: Real Conversations for Real Growth
Your go-to space for leadership, confidence, identity, team culture, and the everyday challenges young women and student-athletes navigate.
GRL Pep Talks is where honest conversations meet practical support. Whether you’re a student-athlete, a young woman finding your voice, or someone building confidence and belonging, these Pep Talks are designed to help you grow in ways that actually fit your life.
You’ll find stories, worksheets, research-backed tools, and quiet reminders that you’re not alone in what you’re navigating. This is your space for clarity, connection, and the kind of leadership that starts from within — on and off the field.
It’s My Birthday — And Here’s the Truth About Why This One Feels Different
This birthday feels different. At 42, I’ve spent a year doing the hard internal work — exploring my identity, redefining connections, setting boundaries, and beginning the long journey toward true belonging. I’m not there yet, but I’m growing, stretching, and becoming in ways I’m finally proud of.
How to Reconnect — The Daily Practice
Reconnection doesn’t happen all at once — it happens in small, quiet moments layered over time. From eye contact to curiosity, repair to ritual, these simple daily practices rebuild the trust and belonging that disconnection slowly erodes. This is how we start bringing the flavor back
The Burnout Watch List
Burnout rarely shows up all at once—it leaks in slowly. In this practical GRL Initiative guide, Dr. Lauren Young shares her personal Burnout Watch List: the emotional, physical, and mental warning signs that tell you you’re running on empty. Learn how to recognize the drift, reset your energy, and protect yourself before you crash. This isn’t about weakness—it’s about awareness.
Designing your Healing Day(s)
Rest doesn’t just happen—it’s designed. In this GRL Initiative deep dive, Dr. Lauren Young shares how to build a healing day that actually restores your energy instead of adding more decisions to your to-do list. Learn how to communicate your needs clearly, set boundaries that stick, and create your own “dopamine menu” so you always know what brings you peace and joy. This is your guide to resting on purpose—without guilt.
The work from home trade off
We were promised freedom, but sometimes working from home just means being the default for everything—appointments, laundry, the dogs, the dishes. The lines blur. The cocoon closes in. So maybe what we really need isn’t another productivity hack—but each other. Introducing the Burlington Work-From-Home Women’s Meetup. Because working from home doesn’t have to mean working alone
And… I’m Not Going to Feel Guilty
We carry so much — work, family, invisible labor — and then feel guilty when we say no, rest, or ask for help. This is your reminder that protecting your peace isn’t selfish. It’s leadership. And… you’re not going to feel guilty.
Boundaries Keep You Intellectually Safe
Strong boundaries aren’t just emotional—they’re intellectual armor. Explore how clarity in your digital and professional life keeps you safe from predatory behavior.
How to Set a Boundary Without Feeling Like the Villain
If you’ve ever said yes just to keep the peace, this one’s for you. Learn the GRL 3-step formula for setting boundaries that feel authentic—not awkward.
What a Boundary Actually Is (and What It Isn’t)
You’ve heard the word boundaries a thousand times, but what does it actually mean? Let’s unpack why they’re not about exclusion—they’re about self-respect.
Gen Z with a Cold: Why Rest Is a Leadership Skill
Feeling guilty for resting? Here’s how pausing, delegating, and resetting actually makes you a stronger leader.
Screen Time Rules for Working Families: Evidence-Based Guidelines That Actually Work
Managing screen time as a working family isn't about achieving perfect compliance with pediatric guidelines—it's about creating intentional, sustainable boundaries that protect your children's development while acknowledging your real-life constraints.
With state-level school phone bans changing the landscape, working families have an opportunity to reassess home screen time rules based on current research and family needs. The key is focusing on quality over quantity, creating meaningful screen-free connection times, and building systems that work when you're tired, busy, or dealing with unexpected challenges.
Remember: your family's screen time rules should reduce stress, not create it. Start with one or two boundaries that feel manageable, then gradually build a system that supports both your children's healthy development and your capacity to manage work and family life successfully.
Working Mom Email Templates: 15 Scripts That Save Time and Preserve Boundaries
Save time and maintain professionalism with these 15 email templates designed specifically for working mothers. Copy-paste solutions for common workplace communication challenges.
Navigating Harassment and Abuse in Sports: Protecting Female Athletes
Sports should be a space where female athletes thrive, compete, and grow—but for too many, harassment and discrimination create barriers to success. From inappropriate comments to online abuse and unsafe coaching environments, female athletes face challenges that shouldn’t be ignored.
In this blog, we break down the stats behind harassment in sports, how it impacts female athletes, and what we can do to create safer environments. Plus, we share actionable steps to help athletes set boundaries, report misconduct, and support one another.
Read more and be part of the change. 💜💪 #TheGRLInitiative #SafeSportsForAll #WomenInSports #ProtectFemaleAthletes