Fearless Female Friday w/Barb Smith: From Lows to Highs: Teaching Life Lessons Through Sports

Download file | Play in new window | March 17, 2023

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“Embrace the ups where you're getting the trophy and you're on the pedestal and you're high, and embrace the lows where you've been hit and you've been knocked down. And embrace both of those because that's what keeps you moving forward.” - Barb Smith

On this week’s episode of She Leads Now, I am joined by Barb Smith. In this episode, we discuss the impact of COVID-19 on youth sports and the mental health of young athletes. We also explore how the pressure to win at all costs is leading to an increase in mental health issues, such as depression and suicide, among young athletes.

Barb Smith is a former Division I college athlete, Division I college basketball coach, motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur, and advocate for all levels of leadership.

Having both played and coached at the college level, Barb knows that sports go beyond winning and losing. Her story is one of extreme highs, like winning conference games and back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, but also extreme lows, like not winning games or losing a player to spinal meningitis.

Key Takeaways:

• The need to build confidence and communication skills in young women, who have been particularly affected by the pandemic's isolating effects.
• The positive outcomes of teaching young athletes to use their voice, ask questions, and communicate effectively, including increased confidence and assertiveness.
• The role of sports in building confidence, competitiveness, and leadership, and how it can teach important life skills.

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: https://findmyteam.com/. OR https://courtsideleadership.com/
• LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barb-smith
• Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/findmyteam/
• Twitter:https://twitter.com/findmyteam_
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/fmtfindmyteam

Book Recommendations:

• The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It 

Additional Resources

Join us in the LeadHers Lounge  every 4th Wednesday for an hour of growth, networking, & Q&A. There’s no cost to attend and you can join as many sessions as you’d like. RSVP to attend next month’s virtual meet-up.

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She Leads Community: sheleadsnetwork.com/community
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