When you picture sports, we often imagine the girl on the field or the coach on the sidelines. But, if you zoom out, you can actually see so many leaders helping make sure sports happen!

Erin Gerlich is one such person. The associate Director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Erin's inaugural project was sanctioning the sport of girls wrestling in the state of Iowa.

We hear the behind the scenes story of bringing a sport to life. Plus a lot of great leadership insights on carving your own path and asking the question "why not!?"

You'll be inspired. Be sure to share Erin's passion and fire with a girl who plays.

Standing O with Coach D is part of the She Plays mission to encourage girls and women in sports to play with confidence. Learn more and support the cause at sheplaysnow.com/donate

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The principle to fulfillment, to dreams coming true, as an Iowa kid, I watched it my whole childhood. It's the concept of sowing and reaping. In order to enjoy the harvest, you first must plant the seeds.

This is true in our pursuit of our goals and dreams. We must first sow.

Coach D shares several examples of what sowing and reaping looks like in sport. She teaches us about Bloom Moments and that they are only worth it when we sow through the dirt.

Find encouragement in this episode and relearn the importance of commitment to a goal.

Share with a teammate, coach, and anyone working towards a big dream.

Standing O with Coach D is part of the She Plays mission to encourage girls and women in sports to play with confidence. Learn more and support the cause at sheplaysnow.com/donate

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Jessica Heims is a professional athlete, an American record holder, and an advocate for adaptive sports and adaptive sport athletes. Born with amniotic banding syndrome, Jessica's leg was amputated at one year old. 

  In her conversation with Coach D, Jessica reflects on the advice of her dad to just "find a way" and the impact her supportive family and friends have had on her mental toughness and success.    Be inspired to  - chase big dreams - reframe the concept of failure - find joy and gratitude in the process  

Find Jessica on social media as she chases some really big goals:

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Standing O with Coach D is part of the She Plays mission to encourage girls and women in sports to play with confidence. Learn more and support the cause at sheplaysnow.com/donate

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When did you stop dreaming?

Not the small dreams. Not the to-do list kind of dreams. But the no condition dreams. The childlike dreams. When did those dreams stop for you?

The transition from little girl dreams to growing up is often where dreams turn into to-do lists.

In this episode, Coach D encourages us that we need to go ALL-IN on dreaming little kid big dreams again. She reminds us that broken dreams can still come true.

Quotes from this episode:

"Find the spot where dreaming is like breathing" Coach D

"Picture yourself in your mind's eye as having already achieved this goal. See yourself doing the things you'll be doing when you've reached your goal." Earl Nightingale

"You can’t do big things if you’re distracted by small things" - Unknown

“You never know if you can actually do something against all odds until you actually do it.” – Abby Wambach

“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” – Simone Biles

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Until I set the state record.

Until I win the championship.

Until I earn the scholarship.

In this episode, Coach D shares the one piece of advice from her dad, The Coach, that changed her athletic career.

Here's a hint, it has something to do with avoiding the 'until clause'. Not waiting to be happy, or healthy or have all your ducks in a row before starting to feel purpose or meaning.

If you're going through a hard time. If you're in a slump, or stressed, or struggling to get back to peak performance, this episode is for you.

No more waiting. Start now.

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Making plans for the new year?

Creating your vision board?

Coach D shares why none of the big dreams you have will happen without taking a step of courage. Learn:

-Why goals without courage aren't goals

-How courage creates habits

-Why steps of courage level up your playing field

Be inspired to step into the new year and new goals with courage. 

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Jealousy ruined my potential

Jealousy within a team can be dangerous to the success and camaraderie of the team.

It can also be the hurdle holding you back from reaching your goals.

Coach D shares her experience with jealousy and the negative impacts it had on both her emotional well-being and her ability to perform on the track.

Through her story, you can learn:

-how to recognize when jealousy is taking place

-how to acknowledge boundaries within a team to keep jealousy from growing

-positive options to cope with your jealousy

Standing O shares stories and conversations to help you win your confidence. Let this episode be the beginning of the real conversations you need to have with yourself and within your team.

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So you wanna play sports in college?

Coach D and her guest, Lindsey Long discuss the skills and traits necessary to not only play college sports, but to be successful. Here's a secret: it has very little to do with talent!

Lindsey Long is the Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete and Letterwinner Engagement at Iowa State University. Lindsey is building programming and out-of-class curriculum for student-athletes to document experiences that are core to their personal and professional development. As a four time letterwinner for the Cyclone soccer team, Lindsey's personal and professional experience make her the go-to person for navigating these large life transitions.

Coach D and Lindsey hit on:

-What kids and high school programs are missing these days

-What the top skill athletes need to be successful

-The real question kids should be asking themselves when it comes to picking a college, and a job.

This is a conversation you'll want to save, and hopefully it will spark a real conversation for you as you navigate any upcoming transition.

Where to find Lindsey:

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ISU Letterwinners socials:

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The 2022 She Coaches Conference wrapped up and it was an empowering event. Reflecting on all I learned and the incredible women leaders who spoke, I complied a list of the best pieces of coaching advice.

Some are inspiring.

Some motivating.

Some practical.

And one is personal.

Coaching is more than a position. It's a calling. This list will encourage you to BE A COACH in all the areas of your life.

Enjoy and share with a coach you admire.

Ladies, if you are a coach please join our Facebook community group.

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As a female athlete, imagery and messaging of how to look, how to eat, how to feel... it's everywhere!

This conversation with author, coach and eating disorder recovery advocate, Rachael Steil is important for all athletes, parents and coaches.

An eating disorder, or forms of disordered eating can prosper in the silence. Rachael provides tools, grace and hope to bring them out into the open.

Our conversation hits on:

and most importantly, the importance of reaching out for help.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, look to:

runninginsilence.org/resources

nationaleatingdisorders.org

Connect with Rachael:

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Remember, it's never too late OR too early to ask for help!

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