Dear Division I NCAA Female Swimmer,
In this upcoming historic NCAA competition, which will include the participation of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas of the University of Pennsylvania, there will undoubtedly be controversial conversations, additional media attention, and potential protests.
I respect Lia living as her authentic self. However, this letter does not make any comment about Lia Thomas as a swimmer or in which category she should compete.
As a performance and leadership coach, the mindset I want to address is what you will need to use this meeting to demonstrate that you are the champion you so diligently prepare to become. are doing.
While I think your trainers have given you a similar message, I want to offer extra support and encouragement to those of you who are experiencing any negative effects due to such an unusual, unprecedented situation.
Please consider that whatever challenges you may face this week, they will make you better and stronger in the long run. Victory comes in more forms than just standing on the podium.
I ask you to remove any distractions from your goals. You've worked hard for peak performance, and now is the time for you to stand out, confident and focused in your personal strengths.
Feel the joy you feel connected to the water when you set foot on deck in Atlanta. Have the privilege of competing at such an elite level. Enjoy your companions and friends. Rise above controversy. Be open hearted and kind. Research shows that we perform better when we arouse positive emotions.
I care about NCAA women's swimming, follow it closely, and have rarely missed participating in annual championships over the past 40 years—as a swimmer, coach, or alumnus. I think the lesson you're learning by competing in college sports is building leadership skills, confidence, and resilience. This unprecedented and historic time in our sport will test you.
Now is the time for you to step up, shine and be your best - both in and out of the water. Don't let anything hinder you from this.
Swimming,
Kelly Parker Palace
Writers, take your mark, lead!
Host, Champion's Mojo Podcast
Executive and Leadership Coach
Former Division I Head Women's Swim Coach
Four-time World No. 1 FINA Masters Swimmer, 2021
breast cancer survivor
About: Kelly Parker Palace entered her first swimming race at age four, never paying attention to the small detail of not knowing how to swim. After that near-drowning experience, as a young adult she went on to make the cut at the Olympic Trials, earning a full college scholarship to North Carolina State University and NCAA Division I All-American honors. She also broke the glass ceiling at the University of South Carolina as the first female head swim coach in the competitive Southeastern Conference.
Kelly has kept her head on the black line all her life. She continued her passion for swimming by joining the US Masters more than 30 years ago. As a masters swimmer, she has competed in more than 500 races, including the most recent to earn several USMS National and FINA World No. 1 rankings by 2021. Kelly is a breast cancer survivor, 9/11 survivor and best-selling book author. , Take Your Mark, Lead!, published in 2021.
His current "day job" is as the host of the award-winning Champion's Mojo podcast, which has published over 140 episodes. Kelly is one of the few female hosts in the male dominated world of sports-related podcasts. She is also an executive and leadership coach who works with top level executives, medical experts, entrepreneurs, elite athletes and leaders.