Coaching Change: Dr. Jen Welter on Making NFL History & Empowering Women in Sports
About the Episode
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jen Welter—the trailblazer who broke barriers as the first female coach in the NFL. Jen opens up about her groundbreaking journey, the hurdles she faced, and her mission to inspire the next generation of women in sports.
Key Takeways
Inspiration in Action: Growing up with tons of energy and seeing female athletes on TV (shoutout to tennis stars!) fueled Jen’s passion for sports. She highlights how crucial media representation is in helping girls believe they belong in sports.
Visibility = Vital: Jen doesn’t hold back when calling out the lack of support and visibility for women in sports. She draws an awesome parallel to The Queen’s Gambit, showing how media can normalize women in male-dominated spaces—whether it's chess or coaching.
Making History, Feeling the Heat: As the NFL’s first female coach, Jen felt the weight of representing all women. She shares how that pressure pushed her to excel so she could open doors for others.
Finding Allies: Jen talks about the unexpected support she got from players and male colleagues. She credits their upbringing for shaping their acceptance of her role and underscores the value of recognizing allies.
Breaking Barriers, Not Perfection: Jen makes it clear—you don’t have to be the best to be the first. The point is to be there, to create a path for others. It’s about paving the way, not being perfect.
Battling Doubts: Self-doubt? Jen’s been there. She believes that while challenges may heighten doubts, they’re also chances to prove your worth and earn respect through grit and effort.
Role Model Mindset: Jen stresses that being a role model isn’t about being flawless—it’s about showing young girls what’s possible, sharing your highs and lows to make their journeys easier.
Unleashing Your Inner Queen: Jen introduces this empowering concept—own your strengths, don’t dim your light for anyone, and celebrate your wins unapologetically.
Chess & Leadership: Jen touches on using personal passions (like chess!) to help others grow. She’s all about breaking down tough concepts so people can learn, lead, and level up.
New Chapter, Same Goal: Jen is fired up about her new gig in marketing for the Arena Football League. She’s focusing on storytelling and content creation to boost engagement and make the league’s comeback season unforgettable.
Dive Deeper
Website: https://www.jenwelter.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/welter47/
