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.
When Rest Feels Wrong: Learning to Step Away Without the Guilt
If you’ve ever felt anxious about taking a day off—worried about the inbox, the calls, the people who “never stop”—this one’s for you. In this post, Dr. Lauren Young opens up about learning to rest in a culture that rewards overwork. With research on burnout, recovery, and dopamine, she reframes rest as a leadership skill, not a luxury. Because the truth is, your team can rehire your role—but your family can’t replace you.
The Cadence of Work: Why Leaders Need “Healing Days”
Leadership isn’t just about how hard you can go—it’s about how well you can recover. In this essay, Dr. Lauren Young reflects on the quiet crash that follows high-cadence seasons, when your brain is still buzzing with logistics and your body is begging for rest. Backed by research on burnout and recovery, she explores why “healing days” aren’t a luxury but a necessity. This post reminds ambitious women that rest is not something to earn after you’ve finished leading—it’s what makes powerful, sustainable leadership possible.
5 Signs You're Overthinking (And How to Break the Cycle)
Your brain is trying to protect you, but sometimes protection looks like mental quicksand. Here's how to spot when your thoughts are working against you.
Mental Training for Female Athletes: Building Unshakeable Confidence
mental training female athletes, sports psychology girls, athlete confidence building
The scoreboard shows you're down by one with seconds left. Your heart pounds, but your mind is clear and focused. This isn't luck—it's mental training.
From Aesthetics to Clarity: A New Way to Think About Exercise
A personal reflection on shifting from appearance-focused fitness to movement that serves mental clarity, emotional regulation, and daily performance. The author shares how discovering exercise's impact on focus and stress management—rather than chasing aesthetic goals—finally made consistent movement sustainable and genuinely rewarding.
When My Mental Managers Clock Out: Navigating Body Dysmorphia in Times of Stress
Body dysmorphia isn't always a constant state—for many, it's an unwelcome visitor that arrives when mental defenses are down due to stress or fatigue. This personal reflection explores the science behind why body image issues intensify during difficult times and offers evidence-based strategies for managing these challenging episodes. Featuring practical coping tools and reassurance for fellow travelers on this journey.
Taking power back from Anxiety
The way you talk to yourself about anxiety is power. Use this simple hack from Mel Robbins about reframing anxiety.
Buzz word: Mental Health, what is it?
Your mental health matters as much as your physical health. 💛 Some quick tips: rest isn’t lazy, set boundaries that protect your energy, practice gratitude, move your body, and surround yourself with uplifting people. It’s okay to not be okay. Take care of yourself and don’t hesitate to reach out for help—you’re never alone. 🫶 Let’s normalize prioritizing mental health, one step at a time. #MentalHealthMatters #SelfCare #GenZ"
The GRL Legacy
A very personal story about why GRLs need to come together and build community