The Green Room
It’s a place to talk about what it really feels like to be an athlete.
The Green Room amplifies voices that are often overlooked in sports, turning personal experiences into collective empowerment.
read the stories of the month
theme of january: “Strength in Playing for Others”
"The Day the Court Felt Like Home"
- Stella Pulos, Chadwick School (2027)
Stella Pulos
Chadwick School 2027
I remember the day of Volleyball CIF finals so clearly. I remember the clean smell of gym, the navy blue court, the cheering of the crowd. That was the moment I knew all the effort that went in to get here, hours upon hours of practice each and every day, it was all worth it. Our team was unbreakable. We fit together and that was so special to me. Playing volleyball next to the teammates I came to love and admire is an experience I hope every young girl has during her athletic career. Because when you are playing a sport, not for yourself, but for the teammates around you, is empowerment that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Inspired by Stella's Story? Want to connect?
"Carrying More Than My Bag"
- Emily Park, Peninsula High School (2027)
Emily Park
Peninsula School 2027
People often say golf is an individual sport, but for me, it has never felt that way. Every time I step onto the course, I carry more than just my bag. I carry the people who believed in me long before the scores mattered. I play for my parents, who drove me to early morning practices, stood on the sidelines in the heat, and supported me through every high and low.
There are moments in recruiting and competition when the pressure feels heavy. Expectations rise, and it can be easy to make the game feel only about results. But when I remind myself why I play, everything becomes clearer. I play to honor the sacrifices that were made for me, the time, energy, and belief that shaped my journey.
Knowing that I’m playing for others gives me strength. It pushes me to stay disciplined, to compete with integrity, and to give my full effort even when no one is watching. Golf has taught me that success isn’t just measured by scorecards or rankings, but by how you represent the people who stand behind you.
At the end of the day, every round is a chance to give back-- to my parents, my coaches, and everyone who helped me get here. That purpose keeps me grounded and reminds me that while golf may be an individual sport, the journey is never taken alone.
"Dear Ballet"
- Gia Chung, Chadwick School (2029)
Gia Chung
Chadwick School 2029
People often see the performance: the costume, the stage lights, the final pose. What they don’t see are the hours spent in the studio long before anyone is watching. The quiet mornings, the repetition, the moments when my body is exhausted but my mind refuses to quit. Ballet has taught me that progress isn’t glamorous. It’s earned in silence.
Competing at YAGP and training in intensive summer programs pushed me to understand what it truly means to commit to something bigger than myself. Each correction, each rehearsal, each performance carries the expectations of my teachers, my family, and everyone who believed I could handle this path. When I dance, I carry their support with me, it grounds me when the pressure rises.
There are days when doubt creeps in, when comparisons feel unavoidable and perfection feels just out of reach. But ballet has taught me discipline over emotion. I’ve learned how to reset, to focus on the details, and to trust the process even when the results aren’t immediate. That mindset has shaped not just how I dance, but how I face challenges in my life.
Inspired by Gia's Story? Want to connect?
awareness corner
listed below are pre-existing research and resources that highlight representation, mental health, and equity for girls in sports
SUMMARY:
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined mental health symptoms—depression, anxiety, and stress—among female NCAA student-athletes. After reviewing 2,415 articles, researchers analyzed 52 studies (13,849 athletes) and identified 17 key factors that influence female athletes’ mental health. These factors included injury (like concussions), sleep and health habits, and levels of social support.
SUMMARY:
A new Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) report highlights how sports can significantly improve girls’ mental health during a time when teen girls in the U.S. are experiencing rising rates of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. With over half of teen girls reporting persistent sadness and one-third having seriously considered suicide, the study shows that sports participation dramatically reduces these risks.
SUMMARY:
The Women’s Sports Foundation explains why girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14, despite the major physical, emotional, and social benefits of staying involved. Their research identifies six main reasons girls quit.
SUMMARY:
This editorial highlights the major under-representation of women in sport and exercise medicine (SEM)-- including in research studies, clinical roles, leadership positions, editorial boards, and conference panels. Although women make up about half the population and half of athletes, they are consistently excluded or minimized in SEM research and professional spaces, with women comprising less than 25% of key authorship roles, editorial leadership, and team physician positions.