Last week, I had the opportunity to go to San Francisco to offer a keynote at Athleta's corporate conference, Athleta Quest. During that week, I had the chance to sit down with WNBA star and member of Athleta’s Power of She Collective Monique Billings. We got to chat about her exciting news about coming home to play for the LA Sparks (previously with the Atlanta Dream), how she stepped into basketball at young age, and how she has made a very international effort to not let sport define her. Monique shares what keeps her grounded and offers up solid advice on how to cultivate a positive inner dialogue.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why she’s most excited to come back to the west coast to play for the LA Sparks (5:35)

Continuing on in sport after Monique’s dad passed two years ago (6:18)

When Monique knew she was going to pursue sport through college (8:15)

How Monique has embraced a go-with-the-flow mindset as a natural planner (12:30)

All about draft day and the uncertainty that comes with professional sport (19:00)

Why Monique wanted to write a book (24:30)

Why it’s OK not to be for everyone (31:38)

Monique’s biggest values and what it means to live on purpose (33:38)

How to choose thoughts that lift you up (36:30)

Her journey as an Athleta ambassador (39:25)

What FLOW means for Monique (42:05)

What to do when intrusive thoughts sink in (44:28)

The importance of the why behind any goal  (49:05)