This is 8 year old me…
I was awkward, insecure, and nerdy in my teddy bear t-shirt. I struggled to fit
in with the "athletic bunch", felt too cool for the "nerdy
bunch", and feel somewhere in the middle of the two. I didn't have any
particular talent that made me stand out, but I always was a leader.
No matter the age, I stood in front of people and felt comfortable. I celebrated other's successes and comforted them in their failures. I encouraged them to become better and do better. I challenged the status quo and tried to be a catalyst for change.
As I grew older, some of my insecurities evolved, and others diminished. Until now, I forgot a lot about the girl in the teddy bear sweater.
Now that I am "Girls on the Run" coach, I realize what an important age in a woman's development this is. Even in 3rd-5th grade, some girls do not consider themselves beautiful. Some do not life hearing compliments. Some struggle with family or friend issues.
These young women are like sponges, absorbing everything the other coaches and myself say. They look up to us. They are inspired to be like us. They lock arms with us, run with us, and laugh with us. They bring out a softer side in me. These young women don't care how silly I am. I can show emotion, good or bad. They value me as a mentor and person. In fact, adults could learn a lot by them.
I hope to inspire these beautiful young women to evolve into strong and capable adults, and show them that somehow the girl in the teddy bear sweater turned into the amazing woman I am today.
I'm looking forward to continuing the GOTR journey.
Cheers,
Samantha
No matter the age, I stood in front of people and felt comfortable. I celebrated other's successes and comforted them in their failures. I encouraged them to become better and do better. I challenged the status quo and tried to be a catalyst for change.
As I grew older, some of my insecurities evolved, and others diminished. Until now, I forgot a lot about the girl in the teddy bear sweater.
Now that I am "Girls on the Run" coach, I realize what an important age in a woman's development this is. Even in 3rd-5th grade, some girls do not consider themselves beautiful. Some do not life hearing compliments. Some struggle with family or friend issues.
These young women are like sponges, absorbing everything the other coaches and myself say. They look up to us. They are inspired to be like us. They lock arms with us, run with us, and laugh with us. They bring out a softer side in me. These young women don't care how silly I am. I can show emotion, good or bad. They value me as a mentor and person. In fact, adults could learn a lot by them.
I hope to inspire these beautiful young women to evolve into strong and capable adults, and show them that somehow the girl in the teddy bear sweater turned into the amazing woman I am today.
I'm looking forward to continuing the GOTR journey.
Cheers,
Samantha
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