Women’s Sports Journey: How Playing Sports Builds Confidence, Leadership, and Lifelong Success for Girls | Women Sports USA®
- Linda Herron
- May 2
- 6 min read
Growing up in Rhode Island as an identical twin meant I always had a teammate by my side — someone who trained with me, competed with me, dreamed beside me, and pushed me to be my best. Field hockey wasn’t just our sport; it was our shared heartbeat. It shaped our confidence, our character, and ultimately, our futures.
And in a time when women weren’t being recruited in the ways they are today, my twin and I became part of something rare — and extraordinary.
Breaking Barriers in Women’s Field Hockey: The Role of Coach Betty Marquis
At a time when opportunities for girls in sports were limited, mentorship made all the difference. Coaches like Coach Betty Marquis didn’t just teach the game—they saw potential, created opportunities, and helped young athletes believe in themselves before the world caught up.
That kind of belief can change the direction of a life.
Women’s Sports Journey: From Division I Athlete to Lifelong Leader
Competing at the Division I level challenges athletes in every way—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s where leadership is tested, resilience is built, and confidence begins to take shape.
For many athletes, these moments become defining ones—not because of the wins alone, but because of the growth that happens along the way.
From Olympic Training Camps to Lifelong Athletic Discipline
I attended Olympic Camp, which began at Brown University and progressed to Smith College B Camp, where some of the most talented athletes in the region trained. These camps were intense, inspiring, and transformative. They stretched me physically and mentally, showing me the level of commitment required to compete with the best.
Those experiences didn’t just make me a stronger athlete — they shaped my resilience, sharpened my discipline, and taught me how to show up with courage no matter the stage.
Every step of that journey — from local Rhode Island fields to Olympic-level training camps — built the foundation for me today.
How Athletes Build Leadership, Confidence, and Competitive Edge
My athletic story didn’t end when I stepped off the field hockey field. In fact, another chapter of my athletic life was just about to begin.
From the time I was 16 years old into my 40s, I became a dedicated runner — lacing up, hitting the pavement, and finding freedom, clarity, and strength in every mile. I competed in 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and ultimately completed the Newport Marathon — a monumental accomplishment that reinforced everything sports had ever taught me:
Endurance.
Mental toughness.
Commitment.
The ability to keep going when everything in you wants to stop.
Running showed me that you don’t need a crowd, a scoreboard, or a coach to push yourself. Sometimes all you need is a quiet path, a good pair of shoes, and the belief that you can go farther than yesterday.
Those years of running shaped my resilience in ways that carried into every part of my life — my career, my writing, my leadership, and now, my mission to empower girls nationwide.
For many athletes, the end of one sport opens the door to another chapter. Running, for example, becomes more than exercise—it becomes a space for reflection, endurance, and personal growth.
It reinforces an important truth: you don’t need a crowd to keep going. You just need the belief that you can take the next step.
From Olympic Training Camps to Lifelong Athletic Discipline
I began my college journey studying Physical Education/Corporate Fitness (Teaching), drawn to my passion for health and athletics. Like many athletes, I eventually faced an important decision—balancing passion with long-term stability. That moment became an opportunity to grow, lean into new strengths, and explore a different path.
At 21, I stepped into a full-time role in accounts payable at a manufacturing company, working 50–60 hours a week while taking accounting classes at Bryant University at night. It was demanding, but it reinforced something many athletes already understand: how to stay focused, push through challenges, and keep moving forward with purpose.
That’s the power of sports. They don’t just prepare you for competition—they prepare you for life. The discipline, resilience, and work ethic developed through athletics become the foundation for whatever comes next.
How Sports Build Leadership Skills in the Workplace
The transition from women’s sports journey to a professional career can be one of the most defining shifts in an athlete’s life. The structure changes—but the mindset doesn’t.
The same qualities developed through sports—discipline, work ethic, and perseverance—often become the foundation for success in entirely different fields.
From Athlete to Author: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Children’s Books
In 2019, a new chapter began—one rooted in a lifelong love of sports, the unique bond of being a twin, and a desire to inspire the next generation. That vision grew into a children’s book series, Twins Mac & Madi, now spanning nine books that celebrate confidence, teamwork, and the joy of being active.
Stories like Twins Mac & Madi Play Field Hockey and Twins Mac & Madi Get Sporty were created to help young girls see themselves in sports—strong, capable, and full of potential.
For many former athletes, there comes a moment to give back—to take what was learned and pass it on to the next generation.
Whether through coaching, mentoring, or storytelling, that impact continues—reminding young girls that confidence, teamwork, and resilience are skills they can carry for life.
The Athlete Advantage: How Sports Shape Lifelong Success
Being an athlete shaped every part of my professional story:
Discipline from early-morning practices
Resilience from playing through challenges
Teamwork from trusting those around me
Leadership from captaining a Division I team
Confidence from knowing I could adapt and excel
Those qualities carried me through my finance career, my business achievements, my authorship, and now my nonprofit for Women Sports USA®.
Why Women’s Sports Stories Matter More Than Ever
My story is more than a career path. It’s a testament to what happens when girls play sports with the best coach and mentor.
My journey is more than a career path—it’s a powerful example of what happens when girls are allowed to play sports, grow under strong mentorship, and believe in their potential.
It honors trailblazers like Coach Betty Marquis, who saw the possibilities in two young twin athletes from Rhode Island at a time when opportunities in women’s sports were limited.
It celebrates the unique strength of being a twin—building resilience, confidence, and connection through athletics, academics, and life.
It reflects the power of reinvention—from Division I athlete to finance professional, from corporate leader to children’s book author—proving that the lessons learned through sports extend far beyond the field.
And today, it fuels a greater purpose: to empower girls and women across the country through Women Sports USA®, ensuring their stories are seen, heard, and never forgotten
My Message to Every Girl, Every Athlete, Every Dreamer
Your story doesn’t end when the season ends—that’s where it truly begins.
Sports teach you more than how to compete. They teach you how to lead, how to grow, and how to keep going when it matters most. Those lessons don’t stay on the field—they become the foundation for everything that comes next.
Today, I carry that with me as I honor those who believed in me, celebrate the journey that shaped me, and commit to opening doors for the next generation of girls ready to rise.
This movement is for all of us—athletes, former athletes, coaches, creators, and fans of women’s sports.
Because every story shared strengthens the future of women’s sports.
This isn’t just one story—it’s an example of what sports can do.
Your story matters. Share it. Join us. Let’s keep the movement going. 💜
🚀 The Movement Continues
At Women Sports USA®, we believe stories like this are more than history—they are fuel for the future.
Every trailblazer. Every rising star. Every moment of progress.
It all matters.
👉 Do you know a trailblazer or rising athlete from Texas?
👉 Do you have a story that deserves to be told?
Join the movement. Share it. Celebrate it.
Join Our Community: https://www.womensportsusa.org/member-community
Trailblazer stories: https://www.womensportsusa.org/blog
Athlete Spotlight page: https://www.womensportsusa.org/spotlight
Donation page: https://www.womensportsusa.org/donate
👉 50 STATES | 50 STORIES™
Because when we tell these stories…
We don’t just honor the past.
We build the future. 💜
F
"Because when girls and women are given a chance… we don’t just play the game — we change it."
CEO
This is the kind of story that makes you want to support women’s sports. It highlights the bigger picture in a very real way.
I really liked how this wasn’t just about personal achievements—it was about what those experiences represent for all girls in sports.
A meaningful read for parents, coaches, and young athletes. It clearly shows how sports help build strong, capable young women.
I appreciate how this story connects athletics to real-life success. It shows that the lessons from sports carry into every stage of life.
The focus on mentorship really resonated with me. Having someone who believes in you early on can truly change everything.