We Can Do Hard Things Dawn Staley on Knowing (and Demanding) Your Worth
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Jun 24, 2025 Dawn Staley, a legendary coach and three-time Olympic gold medalist, reflects on her journey from athlete to mentor. She discusses the pivotal lessons from her mother that shaped her coaching philosophy and how she fought for equal pay at her university. Staley shares insights on grace in both winning and losing, the toll of achieving dreams, and the ongoing fight for equity in women's sports. Her new memoir, Uncommon Favor, weaves in personal anecdotes, highlighting the importance of self-worth and advocacy in both sports and life.
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Dawn's Sock-Less Habit
- Dawn Staley rarely wears socks despite growing up valuing them highly in her large family.
- Her sneaker collection replaces socks, and she gets criticized by players for it.
Mother's Tough Dish Rule
- Dawn's mother enforced strict discipline by crashing dishes left unwashed and forcing the family to use paper plates.
- This taught Dawn responsibility and order in their busy household.
Standing Against Injustice
- Dawn's mother fiercely defended anyone she thought was treated unfairly, teaching Dawn to stand up against injustice.
- This spirit guides Dawn in correcting inequalities she experiences and witnesses.