We Can Do Hard Things Candace Parker: WHAT’S THE COST OF GREATNESS?
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May 27, 2025 Candace Parker, a retired basketball legend, discusses her extraordinary journey from WNBA champion to influential public figure and mother. She reveals her surprising aversion to fame and emphasizes the distinction between being a boss and a true leader. Candace shares her insights on the sacrifices made for greatness, the emotional toll of competition, and how motherhood has reshaped her definition of success. Additionally, she highlights the importance of calling loved ones to their higher selves while maintaining a humble leadership style.
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Family's Role in Greatness
- Candace Parker shares how her extremely competitive family and parents' high expectations shaped her drive and taught her the cost of achieving greatness.
- They instilled confidence and the grit to sacrifice now for future rewards, which she learned to balance with motherhood and career demands.
Retirement Feels Like Death
- Retirement feels like a profound loss akin to a death for professional athletes who dedicate decades to their sport.
- Candace struggled with ending her basketball career due to injury and finding a new identity beyond the game.
Overcoming Career-Threatening Injury
- After a severe knee injury tearing multiple ligaments at 17, Candace Parker became her own motivation and set personal goals to recover and improve.
- She practiced using her left hand for daily tasks and pushed herself with nightly pushups, demonstrating resilience and self-leadership.
