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.
The Power of Connection
Connection is what makes everything work — our families, our friendships, our leadership. It’s the tissue that holds us together in calm and in conflict. When we take time to really see and listen to one another, we build belonging that lasts long after the moment ends. This is the story of why connection is the foundation of every kind of strength.
The Science of Connection
After realizing connection was the missing ingredient in my life, I went searching for answers. The research is clear — belonging and connection are not nice-to-haves; they’re biological necessities. From Harvard’s 80-year happiness study to the U.S. Surgeon General’s warning about loneliness, science proves that real connection keeps us healthier, happier, and more alive.
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.
My Summer Reading Stack: Books That Hit Different
This summer's reading wasn't just about entertainment—it was research. From Florence Knapp's "The Names" to Nate Bargatze's unexpected wisdom in "Big Dumb Eye," each book taught me something about authenticity, resilience, and what it means to show up fully. The best stories aren't about people who have it all figured out; they're about those brave enough to keep showing up when the path isn't clear. As leaders and women living full-size lives, we need stories that reflect our complexity—characters who struggle with staying true to themselves in systems not designed for them. Reading reminds me that the most powerful leaders are often still learning, growing, and brave enough to admit they don't have all the answers.