On the brink of releasing my first book called Athlete for Life, I wanted to pause to thank the thousands of young women and men that I met during my time as a U.S. Department of State Cultural/Sports Envoy.
I traveled outside the United States for the first time as a representative of freedom, peace, and understanding; while I had no formal training in diplomacy, I had the red, white and blue running through my veins. With an unwavering drive to connect with people and unite by utilizing a common thread, Sports was the vessel which transformed me and countless others.
I remember praying with six young girls in Alexandria, Egypt. We prayed for their equal opportunity to play sports and be educated; they also prayed that I’d never stop showing people the true power of sports.
I will not stop!
Sports is a universal language. No matter your race, gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic background, in sports we can find a common ground and connect beyond just the game itself.
My book Athlete for Life is a culmination of my student-athlete experiences. I focused on becoming more balanced, I became an Ambassador for achieving greatness through succeeding after your competitive athletic days are over.
On this International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to serve and inspire so many, and in return I remain dedicated and thankful for the greatness of Sport for Development.
I will forever be an #AthleteForLife
Service is Essential. To Whom Much is Given, Much is Expected.
Being a professor allows me to share what knowledge I have with others. It is also an opportunity for me to continue to learn because I firmly believe that by teaching we better understand what we are teaching and we also learn from those we teach.
I connect with people. Whether large or small, the power in speaking is being able to connect. We are more alike than we are different, and as a public speaker I look to tap into that connection.