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.
Connection: The missing Ingredient
Something was off. Life looked full — work, family, even laughter — but it all felt strangely bland. The missing ingredient wasn’t love or time. It was connection. When everything becomes a task and no one really sees each other, belonging fades. This is the story of realizing that connection is the salt that brings life back to the table.
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.
Learning to Belong in All Three Spaces
Some days it feels like I’m living three different lives—State Executive Director Lauren, Midwestern Mom Lauren, and Just-Me Lauren, who’s always last on the calendar. Between leadership meetings and loading the dishwasher, I’m learning that belonging isn’t about balance—it’s about being honest with yourself in all three spaces. Here’s what it looks like to show up as all of you, even when it’s messy.