Pictures of professional female athletes Estelle Johnson, Brittni Mason, Joanna Lohman, and Stephanie Ormond.

The Power of Sports: Women Athletes Reflect on National Girls & Women in Sports Day

National Girls & Women in Sports Day is a celebration of strength, resilience, and the power of possibility. Sports have the ability to shape us—not just as athletes, but as leaders, trailblazers, and changemakers.

We asked four extraordinary women athletes to share what this day means to them, how sports have influenced who they are today, and the advice they have for young girls chasing their dreams. Their words remind us why representation, perseverance, and passion matter.

Here’s what they had to say.


Image of Joanna Lohman Retired professional soccer player & motivational speakerJoanna Lohman
Retired professional soccer player & motivational speaker


Superfeet: What does National Girls & Women in Sports Day mean to you?

Joanna Lohman:  Happy National Girls and Women in Sport Day.  It means celebrating the progress that we have made in women's sports dating back to Title IX, and it also means elevating access, opportunity, media, financial resources for female athletes all over the world and making sure that we're consistently breaking barriers day in and day out and letting everybody know that everyone watches women's sports. 

Superfeet: How has sports shaped who you are today?

Joanna Lohman: Sport has been the number one factor in what has shaped me into the person I am today, because the field is a metaphor for life. So all the skills you learn on the field are resilience, courage, focus, determination, and teamwork. Picking yourself back up again when you fall are all aspects that I use every single day in my life now. 

And I think sport has really taught me that when we lean into our unique impact, when we contribute the best to our role, that is when a team wins a championship and there is nothing more applicable to life than that.

Superfeet: What advice would you give young girls pursuing their dreams in sports?

Joanna Lohman: The advice that I would give to a young girl who is pursuing her dreams and playing sport is to absolutely fall in love with the game and the process. It is not about a certain amount of goals or assists or a medal or a trophy or a college scholarship. This is about you pursuing your own version of excellence, and you don't have to be the greatest to be great. So, lean into your unique value and contribution. Give it all you can to the team, and you will find greatness. 

 

Image of Brittni Mason 5x Paralympic Track and Field medalist, Team USABrittni Mason
5x Paralympic Track and Field medalist, Team USA

Superfeet: How has sports shaped who you are today?

Brittni Mason: Sports have taught me so much and have changed my life tremendously. It's taught me how to work hard, how to be a teammate, how to be a leader, how to win, how to lose, how to be a mentor, and most importantly, how to believe in myself and my advice to the young girls pursuing their dreams in sports. Quite literally, the sky's the limit. 

And don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve something. Set your goals, make plans, and you can always achieve what you put your mind to.

 

Image of Estelle Johnson Professional Soccer Player & Certified Mindset CoachEstelle Johnson
Professional Soccer Player & Certified Mindset Coach

Superfeet: What does National Girls & Women in Sports Day mean to you?

Estelle Johnson: National Girls and Women and Sports Day means celebrating the power of sport to transform lives and empower women. As a professional athlete and a mom, it's about reflecting on my journey, supporting equity and inspiring the next generation to continue the work we've begun. Above all, it's about showing little girls that they belong in sports. Playing sports has shaped who I am by teaching me discipline, resilience in the value of teamwork.


Superfeet: How has sports shaped who you are today?

Estelle Johnson: It's given me the confidence to overcome challenges, both on and off the field, and has shown me the importance of setting goals and pushing myself to achieve them. Sports have taught me to lead, to adapt and to trust the process, all of which have shaped how I navigate life as a mom and a role model. My advice to young girls pursuing their dreams in sports is to focus on the journey, not just the destination. 

Sports are about more than just the wins and losses there. A chance to build character, develop resilience, and learn the value of self-belief. Embrace the challenges because they'll teach you to stay determined. Celebrate the small victories because they'll show you your growth. And remember the lessons you learned will serve you far beyond the field or court. Keep dreaming big and use sports as a vehicle to shape you into the strong, confident person that you're meant to be. 

 

Image of Stephanie Ormond Long-distance runner, Boston Bound '25Stephanie Ormond
Long-distance runner, Boston Bound ‘25

Superfeet: How has sports shaped who you are today?

Stephanie Ormond: Playing sports has honestly shaped every part of who I am today. It taught me how to be resilient, how to work hard even when things get tough, and how to keep going when the odds aren't in my favor. Those lessons extend far beyond the trail, the road or the track, and they're woven into the person that I've become. 

What motivates me the most is knowing that I'm making younger me proud. When I think about that little girl who laced up her sneakers for middle school track, I just want to walk up behind her and tap her on the shoulder and show her what happens next. I want her to see where she started and the things that we've accomplished with this sports background as a business.  I want her to see how far her passion and dedication and nerves and stress have taken her. And I wanted to know that she's capable of more than she ever imagined, and that the love she has for sports will help her push through challenges and achieve greatness.

Superfeet: What does National Girls & Women in Sports Day mean to you?

Stephanie Ormond: On National Girls and Women in Sports Day. I celebrate the opportunities that sports has given to me, not just to go as an athlete, but to grow as a person and a professional. And I hope to inspire the next generation to not only dream big, but to work hard and chase for greatness. Just like I did. 

 

At Superfeet, we know that true peak performance starts with a solid foundation. That’s why we’re so proud to support these incredible women athletes—whether they’re on the field, the trail, or pushing boundaries in their sport of focus. Their strength, determination, and resilience inspire us every day, and we're honored to be part of their journey, every step of the way.

Learn more and get involved on National Girls & Women in Sports Day: Women’s Sports Foundation.

 

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