Champions don’t just show up on game day, they find their voice long before the first pitch. In the second part of our conversation with Coach Courtney Deifel, we unpack how confidence on the field becomes courage in life, why “nice” and “ruthlessly competitive” can live in the same coach, and how language and labels still shape how women leaders are seen. From the subtle double standards to the head-on charge through stereotypes, this conversation is a playbook for building athletes who speak up, stand firm, and win together.

We dig into defining moments: the first super-clinching celebration etched in memory, a two-strike swing that flipped a regional, and the surge of belief you can feel from a dugout to the last row. Beyond highlights, we get practical about growing women’s sports, expanding facilities, amplifying visibility, and building a professional pathway that matches the passion in the stands. Coach Deifel shares the heart of her program: athletes feel chosen and trusted, which turns potential into performance and raises everyone’s ceiling.

The story widens to legacy and family. Strong mentors at home, a sister who set the competitive standard, and players who become part of the family shape a culture where kids learn that sport is what you do, not who you are. Failure becomes a teacher, adversity a muscle. Along the way, we trade reflections on coaches who change lives, the power of honest feedback, and the simple, radical advice to young women: be yourself, and go for it.

If you care about women’s sports, athlete development, leadership, or the mindset that turns pressure into joy, this one’s for you. Subscribe to Youth Unmuted, share this episode with a teammate or coach, and leave a review telling us your biggest “go for it” moment.