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 the Pep Talk Isn’t Enough
Sometimes the pep talk isn’t enough — not because you failed, but because you’re overloaded. Learn how to shrink your world, find the root cause, and take the next step forward.
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.
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.
Recovery Days for Teen Female Athletes: Why Rest is Your Secret Weapon
teen athlete recovery, female athlete rest days, sports recovery for girls
If you feel guilty when you're not training, this post is for you. Let's flip the script: recovery isn't the opposite of training—it's where the magic happens.
Carrying Water: Finding Balance and Embracing Rest
As athletes, students, and leaders, we juggle a lot—training, school, responsibilities, and expectations. But without balance, the weight of it all can lead to burnout. Just like carrying water, we need moments to pause, reset, and refill.
In this blog, we dive into the importance of rest, why it looks different for everyone, and what research says about preventing burnout. Plus, I share my personal approach to rest—how true recovery means creating space, slowing down, and reducing the mental load.
Read more to learn how to protect your energy, find balance, and keep moving forward—without spilling your bucket. 💜