Flourish Together: Gratitude, Grit, and Growth from Women in Sport
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 220
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 110
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As I gathered the stories included here, I realized they belong to a much larger movement of God’s work in the lives of athletes of every kind. They carry humor, grit, vulnerability, purpose, and joy. They remind us that athletes—male and female—are shaped not just by strength but by humility, not just by competition but by connection, not just by what they achieve but by who they become.
This book celebrates that becoming.
It honors pioneers who paved the way and athletes today who carry the torch. It highlights coaches who lead with wisdom and gentleness—the kind of leaders who echo the heart of Christ in how they teach, correct, encourage, and empower. It invites all of us to notice the places where God has been faithfully at work in our story.
My prayer is that as you read, you will hear God’s quiet invitation: “Let Me grow you. Let Me guide you. Let Me show you what flourishing looks like—in your sport, your relationships, and your life.”
May these pages stir something in you—a memory, a longing, a new sense of purpose. May you discover gratitude in the unexpected places, grit in the uncertain seasons, and growth in the moments that didn’t go as planned. May God use these stories to strengthen you wherever you are on your journey.
Because flourishing has never been about gender, position, or era. It has always been about becoming the person God designed you to be—and doing it in community, with others who are learning to flourish right beside you.
Come sit with me—let’s walk through these stories of people who flourished . . . so you can see where you are being invited to flourish too.
This is the invitation.
This is the journey.
Let us flourish—together
Preface
Introduction—A Transformissional, Faith-Informed Way of Life
A Pilgrim’s Posture
A Culture—First Vision for Flourishing
In God We Trust
Flourishing Requires Attentiveness
Walking the Road Together
Flourishing as a Shared Life
Allyship in the Arena
Influence as Leadership
A Closing Vision
Chapter 1: Flourishing in Sport: Why Shared Stories Matter
A Quest Begins
Flourishing Women, Faithful Leadership
Woven With Humility
Faith-Informed Frameworks for Flourishing
The Playing Field Today
Why This Book Matters Now
A Movement of Flourishing Women
Chapter 2: The Spark—Calling, Purpose, and Early Influences
Quiet(ish) Between Points
Finding a Flame
Life-Giving Moments
Fanning the Flame
Faith as the Quiet Companion of Calling
The Spark That Becomes a Flame
Chapter 3: Gratitude as a Leadership Practice
The Moment Everything Tilted
Gratitude in Sport
Gratitude Gap
Stories of Appreciation, Community, and Support
How Gratitude Fuels Resilience and Clarity
The Science and Spirituality of Gratitude
Chapter 4: Grit with Grace—Resilience in Action
Never Quit
Defining Grit
Moments of Perseverance
Staying Grounded in Values
Adversity as Spiritual Formation
Faith as a Source of Courage and Steadiness
The Beauty of Grit and Grace
Chapter 5: Growing Through Seasons—Learning, Stretching, Becoming
Growing Again
Cultivating a Habit of Growth
Growth Isn’t Glamorous
Personal and Professional Growth
Practices That Sustain Well-Being
Navigating Transitions and Transformation
Becoming Who You Are Called to Be
Leadership and Growth
Chapter 6: From the Inside Out: Faith-Informed Life Skills of a Flourishing Athlete
The Hinge Moment
Big Doors, Little Hinges
From the Inside Out
From Vision to Practice
Identity: Remembering Who You Are and Whose You Are
Intellect: Wisdom for the Moments That Matter
Heart: Courage, Hope, and the Steadying of Emotion
Habits: Steadfast Rhythms That Sustain Life and Leadership
Relationships: Belonging, Communication, and Encouragement
Branching Out: From Me to We to All of Us
Chapter 7: Flourishing Together—Building Communities of Strength
A Team’s Strength
Flourishing Together
Delightful Surprises
Impacting Generations
The Good Life
A Call to Belong
Creating Environments Where Others Thrive
Placing People in the Right Place
Who’s Riding on Your Bus?
Choosing Growth Over Drain
Flourishing Together Requires Courage
Changed for Good
Mentorship, Empowerment, and Shared Leadership
Intergenerational Community
The Ripple Effect of Women Supporting Women
The Beauty of Flourishing Together
Chapter 8: Faith in Motion—Integrating Belief and Leadership
Remaining Faith
Faith Formed in the Arena
Lived Faith
How Faith Informs Decisions, Relationships, and Culture
Embodied Values in Sport Settings
Stories of Spiritual Grounding
Faith in Motion: A Way of Leading, A Way of Living
Faith as Habitual, Not Performative
Chapter 9: Looking Forward—Hope, Vision, and the Future of Women in Sport
What Can Be
Hope and Vision
Hope Ahead
Emerging Leaders
Dreams for the Next Generation
Collective Possibilities
A Future Shaped by Faith
Looking Forward with Expectation
Conclusion—Gratitude, Grit, Growth: A Call to Flourish Together
God Did More
Flourishing But Not Finished
Key Themes to Carry Forward
A Blessing for the Journey Ahead
An Invitation to Continue the Movement
Small but Mighty: The Women Leading the Way
Gratitude, Grit, and Growth in 37 Words
Something New: The “Girls” Team from Union
A Pioneer of Faith, Courage, and Calling: Peggy Birmingham
A Heart for Students, A Legacy of Faith: Sandra Williams
A Sticky Legacy: Lady Tiger Basketball
Grief, Guilt, and Grit: Lisa Caudle Hutchens (1961–1999)
Small Town, Big Impact: Jackson, Tennessee
Shoulders and Sidelines: Chelsey Franz
Guided by the Game: by Meredith Richardson Jacobs
Finding Balance, Letting Go: Kelley Faulkner Warren
Oh Captain, My Captain: Mary Kosco Greer
With Him, Not For Him: Christa Hutchison Fabre
Stepping Forward to Lead: Kristen Pickens Schwarz
Just Say Yes: Peyton Johnston
Women Making History: Debbie Wallace-Padgett
Say What?!?: Katrina Littlefield Bazzoli
From One Coach to Many: Susie Kelly Toomey
When the Game Breaks You: Kyvin Goodin-Rogers
Rooted in Faith: Andrea Hudson
Women’s Stories Matter: Dr. Valerie Gin
Find Your People: Connections Matter
Julie A. Powell, Ed.D., is a professor of Human Performance with a passion for helping individuals grow through holistic wellness, sports leadership, and purposeful living. With more than 30 years of service in Christian higher education, her commitment to helping others flourish has been deeply shaped by the lens of sport, and she finds joy in sharing those stories. Blending her love for sports and faith, Julie encourages women to live with purpose, lead with courage, and flourish within the strength of Christ-centered community