In this episode of Purpose Tracks powered by Executive Presence, I sit down with Lea Taylor — former collegiate volleyball player and coach, now a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 C-suite leaders — to unpack what grit really looks like when the pressure is real and the cameras are on. Together, we examine how sports forge the kind of leadership that boardrooms demand but rarely teach: emotional intelligence under fire, cultural fluency, and the self-awareness to lead without losing yourself.

We name what too many conversations leave out — the distinct weight carried by women, when visibility meets vulnerability.

The episode is both a challenge and an invitation: to stop editing your story and start leading from it.

We dive into the Coco Gauff moment at the 2026 Australian Open, and what happens when emotions meet public scrutiny. We also explore:

✔️ How grit is built in setbacks, not just wins

✔️ Why 90%+ of women executives played sports—and what that tells us

✔️ Cultural intelligence and self-awareness as leadership essentials

✔️ The double standards women (especially Black women) face when showing emotion

✔️ How to lead with purpose when the cameras won't turn off

This one's for anyone navigating high-stakes environments—on the court, in the boardroom, or building something from scratch.

Want to go deeper? Here are the books and articles we referenced throughout this episode.

✔️ Why a female athlete should be your next leader | EY - New Zealand

✔️ Own the Arena: Getting Ahead, Making a Difference, and Succeeding as the Only One: Adams, Katrina M.: 9780062936820: Amazon.com: Books