a weekend with espnW

Holding the rope in the Navy Seals bootcamp workout!

Last week I was very lucky to attend the espnW retreat in La Jolla, California. To say it was like living a dream would be an understatement. We took yoga, we surfed, we climbed through Torrey Pines, and some even took on a navy seal bootcamp workout. But we weren't there just to sweat and rub elbows with female athlete legends, we were there to begin to create the possibilities within the espnW network.

Julie Foudy and Billie Jean King on a panel on Friday discussing the past and future of women's sports.

Having played softball at UCLA, and then professionally in Italy, the thought of a network created by ESPN with women at its core makes every bit of me smile. This network will be much more than a cheer squad for female sports. Personally, I am not one to feel bitter or even believe that men have an advantage over women, or have greater opportunities, or a greater spotlight in sports. Sure men have the ability to make more money through sports, it's just a fact, but being an athlete has taken me places and taught me things that you cannot price a salary with, and for that I am humbly grateful.

That said, being a former athlete who struggled with what's next when you retire your dreams of being an athlete, a goal you'd hosted since you were 4, I am happy to know ESPN is thinking of women like me and the girls behind us. Even more, I am happy ESPN can leverage who they are to be a catalyst in driving health, wellness and longevity for all women in the future.

Softball player Jessica Mendoza talking shop.

what is espnW and why it matters

ESPN, "the worldwide leader in sports", is creating what seems to be a network for women that will serve as a platform for female sports, health and wellness, and raising the next generation of female athletes. Being at the retreat, I get the sense that espnW is not trying to create the network that will be the end all and answer for women's sports. I get the sense that they're out to make a difference in the lives of both women and men, regardless if they have ever played a sport or consider themselves an athlete.

 

Summer Sanders crawling in the sand during bootcamp. Love her top by the way...

Throughout the weekend we heard from female sports giants like Billie Jean King, Jennie Finch, and Gretchen Bleiler. Their message seemed to be the same; we have to fight for equal rights in sports just as we do in life, we have to fight for our platform, and at the end of the day we as women have to not fight with each other, but work together to ignite change. What I took away was we have to teach the generation behind us to continue to play sports and be active. We have to help them set goals and within that set realistic expectations of what being an athlete is, and what it can help you accomplish and create even outside your sport or physical creed.

Together we're pretty tall and powerful...

I truly believe espnW can be a resource for young girls to teach themselves how to fuel their bodies in sport and all physical activities. I believe and hope it will be a resource for women who've retired from their sports to stay active and healthy throughout their lives. Lastly, I hope it tells the story of women in their sports before, during and after.

Amy Palmiero-Winters tells her inspiring story of balancing a life as amputee ultra-marathon runner, and single mom.

Personally, playing sports has taught me to work with a team, to work with those who are different than yourself, and above all to work to be a part of something that will always be bigger than yourself. The need to compete, win, and to always work towards something that is greater than any of us individually has never left.

Amy rocking the Navy Seal bootcamp workout.

My game has left me in a way, and I've had to search for a way to keep my body healthy. I would have died to have a resource that would help me with that transformation after I retired from my sport. During college, I almost had to leave my sport because of my health or lack there of. I battled with rheumatory arthritis, and it wasn't until I researched my diet and began practicing yoga did I win the bout.

This little lovely sat with me at lunch. Great reminder that yogis are athletes.

If I knew then what I know now, that food is a medicine and a fuel, that yoga has made me a better athlete and that life goes on beyond the white lines of our fields and courts, I would have enjoyed my game even more and I would have been much better at it. For that I am both hopeful and grateful to see what espnW creates. Be the change espnW.

What do you think about ESPN creating a network primarily for women?

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*Special thanks to espnW for allowing me to use their images.