GRL Pep Talks: Real Conversations for Real Growth
Your go-to space for leadership, confidence, identity, team culture, and the everyday challenges young women and student-athletes navigate.
Not sure where to start? Here's how it works.
GRL Pep Talks are honest, research-backed pieces written by Dr. Lauren Young — educator, athletic leader, and founder of The GRL Initiative. Each one is designed to meet you where you are, whether that's figuring out who you are, leading under pressure, parenting a kid who's hard to figure out, or just trying to stop shrinking in rooms that weren't built for you.
Inside each Pep Talk you'll find personal essays, journal prompts and worksheets, deep dives into equity and belonging, and quizzes to help you reflect on who you're becoming.
Find your entry point: Browse the four collections below and pick the one that matches your season. Or scroll the full feed and let a title stop you — they're written to be honest about what's inside. Once you're in a post, click any category tag to find more pieces on that topic.
Choose Your Pep Talk Collection:
Find the words you need for the season you’re in.
Identity & Belonging
For the moments you’re figuring out who you are, where you fit, and how to grow into yourself — without shrinking to belong.
Mental Health & Burnout
For when life feels heavy, loud, overwhelming, or exhausting — and you need permission to be human, not perfect.
Girls in Sports & Equity
For athletes, advocates, and leaders working to build better systems, stronger pathways, and real access for girls.
Motherhood & Real-Life Leadership
For the women leading teams, families, careers, and chaos — learning that leadership is lived, not just performed.
The Hardest Summer: Navigating Life with a 14-Year-Old
I know child development theory, I was a high school principal. But knowing why your 14-year-old acts like a different species every morning doesn't make living with them easier. This summer has been brutal: constant emotional regulation, being the "dumbest person alive" who apparently knows nothing about high school athletics (despite it being my job), and absorbing all the frustrations of a kid shedding their identity. My therapist reminded me this might be the one thing that isn't easy for me. The mom guilt is real when you know the science but still lose your patience. Sometimes admitting it sucks is the first step forward.
My Summer Reading Stack: Books That Hit Different
This summer's reading wasn't just about entertainment—it was research. From Florence Knapp's "The Names" to Nate Bargatze's unexpected wisdom in "Big Dumb Eye," each book taught me something about authenticity, resilience, and what it means to show up fully. The best stories aren't about people who have it all figured out; they're about those brave enough to keep showing up when the path isn't clear. As leaders and women living full-size lives, we need stories that reflect our complexity—characters who struggle with staying true to themselves in systems not designed for them. Reading reminds me that the most powerful leaders are often still learning, growing, and brave enough to admit they don't have all the answers.
The Path Isn't Always Clear (And That's Okay)
Why do I put so much into the GRL Initiative—the posts, the vulnerability, the consistent showing up? Sometimes I don't know. But I'm not an overnight sensation; I'm a tugboat—consistent, stable, proven over time. I turn my real struggles into lessons that might help you feel less alone. I'm loud, tall, and a straight shooter, which isn't for everyone. But if you need someone to listen, ask good questions, and help your path feel clearer, I'm here. This isn't a numbers game; it's a heart game. Let's build a safe space for strong, loud leaders in a world that wasn't designed for us.
The Dress That Remembers: Pre-Performance Rituals and the Stories We Carry
A reflective piece about pre-performance anxiety, personal growth, and unexpected memory triggers. The author explores her midnight preparation rituals before keynotes and workshops, leading to a powerful realization sparked by an 11-year-old dress. From uncertain days as an assistant principal surrounded by LA's surface-level connections to confident speaking engagements today, this post examines how objects can serve as witnesses to our evolution. A vulnerable and inspiring look at the journey from searching to certainty, reminding readers to recognize their own growth markers.
The Sweet Spot: Why the Middle is Where the Magic Happens
The middle isn't where you wait for your life to begin—it's where life gets good. Written from the heart of a mid-career journey, this post explores why the middle phase of leadership, relationships, and life itself might be the sweetest spot of all. Like the cream filling in an Oreo or the perfect coffee temperature, the middle is where all the elements come together in harmony.
The Summer That Wasn't, But Maybe Still Is
A candid exploration of navigating a challenging summer while parenting a confidence-lacking teenager on the brink of high school. When constant travel and adolescent defiance threatened to derail the season, one moment of clarity led to goal-setting, research-backed confidence-building strategies, and the realization that sometimes the most transformative summers are the ones that force us to course-correct mid-journey.
Dear GRL, sorry I’ve been missing!
I’ve taken some time away from the blog to piece it all together into a book, from the middle, with a millennial voice in leadership. All too often books are written from the end, once goals have been crushed, and looking back on life.
Dear GRL: Let's Stop Calling Everything 'Friends' and 'Family'
It's time to stop calling everything "friends" and "family" in professional settings. This Dear GRL letter challenges the misuse of relationship language at work, explaining why your colleagues aren't your friends and your workplace isn't your family. Learn how companies weaponize "family" rhetoric to blur boundaries and why being precise with language helps you set better professional boundaries and expectations.
Dear GRL: When 300 Women Athletes Remind You Why This Work Matters
Dear GRL: Your Career Deserves a Mentor (and Here's Why)
Discover why finding a mentor is essential for millennial and Gen Z career success. This Dear GRL letter explores how mentorship transforms professional journeys, backed by compelling statistics showing that 68% of millennials with mentors stay at companies longer and experience 21-23% higher job satisfaction. Learn practical tips for finding the right mentor in 2025 and building meaningful career relationships that accelerate your growth.
Dear GRL: Your Grief Doesn't Have an Expiration Date
Grief hits different when you're navigating it in your 20s and 30s. Here's why your healing journey doesn't need to fit anyone else's timeline—and how to take care of yourself along the way.
The Comparison Detox: Reclaiming Your Story in the Age of Social Media
Social media comparison is stealing your joy and distorting your perspective. Here's how to curate a feed that inspires instead of depletes.
The Friendship Audit: When to Hold On, When to Let Go
Adult friendships evolve, and that's okay. Learn how to navigate changing relationships with grace, knowing when to invest and when to lovingly let go.
Dear GRL- The Perfectionism Trap: Why "Good Enough" is Actually Great
Perfectionism isn't a strength—it's a productivity killer. Discover research-backed strategies to embrace "good enough" and unlock your true potential without the burnout.
DEAR GRL: Your Body Is Not Your Enemy
Your body is not your enemy—it's your home. Learn how to heal your relationship with your body and embrace self-acceptance in a world that profits from your insecurity
DEAR GRL: It's Okay to Outgrow People (Even When It Hurts)
Outgrowing people you love is one of life's hardest experiences. Learn why it's okay to evolve beyond old relationships and how to navigate the guilt that comes with personal growth
DEAR GRL: Your Dreams Aren't Too Big, the World Just Feels Small
Your dreams aren't too big—the world just feels small. Stop letting others convince you to shrink your ambitions and start believing in the limitless possibilities ahead of you
DEAR GRL: You Don't Have to Be Grateful for the Bare Minimum
Stop being grateful for the bare minimum. Learn why basic respect isn't a gift and how to raise your standards in relationships, friendships, and every area of your life
DEAR GRL: Trust Your Gut - Your Body Knows First
Learning to trust your intuition in relationships is one of the most important skills you'll ever develop. Here's how to recognize when your gut is trying to protect you and why your boundaries matter more than anyone else's comfort
DEAR GRL: Protecting Your Peace When Family Drama Strikes
Feeling powerless in family chaos? Learn how to protect your peace and preserve your sanity when you can't control the drama around you but can control how you respond to it