08/18/2026
There is something so special about watching your daughters find a sport they love. 🏒💗
This summer, my girls had the opportunity to attend a hockey camp with Elle Hartje, and it reminded me why sports are about SO much more than the game itself.
They worked on their skills, stayed active during the off-season, learned teamwork, and challenged themselves—all while having FUN.
One of my favorite parts was the environment. It was low-pressure, encouraging, and fun. There was music playing, lots of laughter, skill work, and opportunities for the girls to interact one-on-one with a PWHL player.
They could work on their hockey skills without feeling like they had to be perfect.
Just kids being kids… while getting better at something they love. ❤️
As a physical therapist, I also love what sports provide for girls physically:
🏒 Strength & coordination
🏒 Balance & body awareness
🏒 Agility & reaction time
🏒 Confidence in their bodies
🏒 Staying active in the off-season
🏒 Building movement skills that can support injury prevention
But the benefits go SO much deeper.
Sports teach girls how to be part of a team, communicate, handle mistakes, keep trying when something is hard, celebrate each other, and become confident in what their bodies can do.
And then there is MENTORSHIP. ✨
Having a strong female athlete to look up to can be incredibly powerful.
When a young girl sees a woman who has worked hard, overcome challenges, and reached a level she may dream about someday, she gets to see what is possible.
Sometimes girls don't need someone to tell them, “You can do this.”
They need to see someone who already has.
That kind of mentorship can build confidence, motivation, resilience, and a sense of belonging—lessons that extend far beyond the rink.
Here's to raising girls who aren't afraid to try, make mistakes, work hard, cheer each other on, and discover just how capable they are. 💗
And here's to the women who show them what is possible.
🏒✨ Sports are about so much more than the scoreboard.
