Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Spencer-Gardner.
Hi Jessica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Basketball has been part of my life for more than 20 years. Growing up in a suburb of Kansas City, I fell in love with the sport at a young age. Even though I played multiple sports as a child, something about basketball drew me in. I dreamed big and knew in high school that anything was possible if I combined my passion for the sport, my love for competing, and a TON of hard work.
I was fortunate enough to make those dreams a reality by playing for the Women’s Basketball Team at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, from 2002-2005. Being a student-athlete at the collegiate level was so rewarding! There was incredible growth that took place as a player and as a person. It wasn’t easy; it was challenging to train and compete at that level all the time. But it was worth it. The camaraderie with my teammates, life lessons learned, traveling all over to play this game I loved, and making it to the first round of the NCAA Tournament are memories I will forever cherish.
My husband, an ORU basketball player, and I got married right out of college, pursued our careers, and began having children – four of them! After a few years in public relations, I focused on raising our children and jumped into the fitness industry. I spent more than a decade as a LES MILLS and NASM-AFAA Group Fitness Instructor for several national gyms, including the First Coast YMCA. During this time, I honed the art of motivation and movement and building community, just like the basketball teams I’d been part of. I learned how to teach and inspire large groups of people – particularly women and female athletes – to accomplish more than they thought possible. What a gift to help others realize what they are capable of!
My full circle moment with basketball came when my daughters needed a coach for their AAU travel team with Blue Heat Basketball Academy. Quite simply: there was a need, and I hesitatingly said, “Yes.” Looking back, that was one of the best yes’ of my life!
What I didn’t realize was that God had been preparing me for that moment. The decade of refining how to lead, motivate, encourage, unify, mentor, and inspire women to reach their potential was merging with my passion, knowledge and competitive drive within the game of basketball. All to help the young girls I coach tap into their strength and confidence – I said “Yes” to coaching, and haven’t looked back.
Today, I have the privilege of being the Varsity Girl’s Head Basketball Coach at Ponte Vedra High School and continue to coach my daughters’ AAU team with Blue Heat Academy.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been challenges – mostly within my mind! I battled self-doubt a lot when I first began coaching. Even though I spent half my life playing the sport and even at a high level – negative thoughts and self-doubt would still fill my mind. If I didn’t have people in my life encouraging me that I could do it – and teaching me how to coach – I may have backed out due to fear and self-doubt.
What a lesson to learn: the joy, the impact, and the purpose that can come on the other side of saying “Yes” even in the face of fear and self-doubt. And, you never know the impact you can have by giving someone confidence. There’s a ripple effect that occurs.
I’ve learned to combat self-doubt and negative thinking by focusing on the following things:
1) Preparation – “It’s not the will to win that matters – everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant. Preparation breeds confidence.
2) Positive Self-Talk – We can train the mind just like the body – it takes discipline and work to get mentally strong! I try to recognize when I’m letting negativity in and have specific positive truth that I speak to myself in those moments.
3) Remember my “Why” – My “Why” is to use my position as Head Coach to build lasting, genuine relationships with all my players, to build them up in who they are, and to inspire them to be who they can be. Each girl has incredible value and is made with unique talents and gifts. My greatest joy in coaching is encouraging and empowering each one to reach her potential, coaching our team to reach its potential – both on and off the basketball court – and raising up the next generation of female leaders via our Girls Basketball Program at Ponte Vedra High School.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been told that I’m a good motivator, encourager, and community builder. Whether on the basketball court coaching or in the YMCA group fitness classes I teach weekly, I see every encounter as an opportunity to encourage and inspire others. Your word of encouragement could be the only one someone hears the entire day!
Michael Jordan said, “You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.” In basketball, I wholeheartedly believe a confident player will play her best basketball because I’ve personally lived it! I coach the way I would like to be coached: honest but positive, building on each player’s strengths, and not seeing limits but seeing great potential in each player. Finally, we are only as strong as we are unified, and building a team culture based on respect, care, and trust is essential for reaching our potential. Team unity is a non-negotiable for me because it comes down to how we treat others.
Can you talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy?
My family brings me so much joy – my husband, our four children, and our extended family all over the world, from Kansas and Missouri to Texas and Australia. I love having a big family! My Ponte Vedra High School basketball team and Blue Heat Basketball Academy team also bring me joy. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to lead these incredible girls, which includes my daughters.
The joy that comes with playing and coaching a sport is incredible! Winning and having success obviously comes with a lot of happiness – but what brings lasting joy are the relationships built, the character developed, and the lessons learned. While we are fierce competitors and compete to win every game, I ask my team to play with heart, pride, confidence, and no regrets because that is who we want to be on the inside. I truly enjoy pouring into each player – knowing the lessons of perseverance, discipline, how to handle failure, teamwork, humility, leadership, respect, self-belief, confidence, and hard work – will last a lifetime for each girl.
Finally, to be their coach, to have their trust, and be in a position to look each player in the eyes and genuinely say, “You are strong. You are capable. Dream BIG and work hard, because anything is possible,” – that is a gift, and that opportunity brings me great joy and immense gratitude every day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jess_sg32
- Twitter: @CoachJessicaSG
Image Credits
First photo below article (basketball shot): Courtesy of ORU Athletics ( second photo).
