By nature, girls want to please. Girls define themselves against a backdrop of relationship. Feeling known and loved is crucial. So to say something that might sound crazy or weird, or might make others reject them, can feel like a terrible risk.

I didn’t learn anything from football, but coaches taught me how to fall forward, how to get up after I fail, and how to be disciplined and hard-working. I played for men who showed me how to strive for greatness on the field and in the classroom (I had several high school coaches who taught honors and AP classes). I learned how to live out my fait

It solidified my decision to think for myself no matter what. I would always ask what was sensible, even if it sounded wrong, even if I had to challenge my parents or my teachers. I felt I needed to do it. If I didn’t, I could be injured or even killed—that’s how serious it was to me.