I can’t get enough of Caitlin Clark. I’ve watched the highlights, read the articles and I’m counting down the minutes until draft day. I haven’t been this infatuated with sports since I was a senior in high school fighting for my own state title. I sat down and asked myself, why do I love Caitlin Clark so much? The words started to flow..

It’s her ability to drown out the noise. Not many of us can do this, myself included. We allow ourselves to get sucked into the perceived thoughts, opinions and judgments of others. Caitlin is carrying and has been carrying the weight of women’s basketball on her shoulders for years and yet when she steps onto the court the weight is released and she floats. This is a superpower because the world is cruel and hard on people, especially women, that achieve great accomplishments. If she turns left she’s praised as the greatest of all time, but turn right and she’s categorized as overrated.

For many, this judgment sinks into their skin and has a major impact on their ability to perform. I deeply understand this and I’ve let this happen to me. I’m sure Caitlin feels it at times, it’s impossible not to, but it’s clear Caitlin’s skin is her own. Her values and her mission are clear. She has the ability to tap into her deeper power and operates from this place. She’s unafraid to celebrate herself, but equally motivated by uplifting others.

As a part of her Nike deal she made sure every member of her team received a new pair of shoes on her birthday. If Caitlin wins, the team wins. She’s kind. She’s real. She’s compassionate. She’s also confident. All traits can be combined and produce excellence.

Caitlin doesn’t appear to let the narrative or expectations of others influence the way she shows up. She knows she’s worked hard and she trusts the hard work to pay off. She trusts herself and this is beautiful.

My obsession runs deep because I want every woman to feel empowered to show up unapologetically themselves. Free to express themselves for themselves. Last night I spent time researching female college athletes accepting benefits and earning money for their name, image and likeness. I combed through their instagram accounts. When I finished, I felt sad. I can’t be sure of this because every thought I had is an assumption, but to me, it felt like so many of the women making NIL money felt some sort of pressure to put on a show for others. To show up in a way they perceived would make them likeable, which in turn would earn them money. I can’t be sure of this, but it felt like the photos and videos were for other people vs. themselves and that there was a pressure to present in a certain way. Caitlins page felt different. It felt authentic and an expression of her true self. I want every person to feel free to choose themselves and to trust their intuition. When we tap into this we can work really hard at something we love and produce greatness (as defined by us) and have fun while doing it.

Many of us (myself included) let the pressure get in the way. How could we not? Society trains us to do this. I’m sure there are times when Caitlin does too, but when she’s out on the court, she’s choosing herself and that brings me so much joy.