Episode 79- ESPN’s Holly Rowe on Finding Joy in Daily Moments

Holly Rowe has made a name for herself as one of ESPN’s most versatile commentators in her 20-year career. She covers college football, college basketball,…

Episode 79- ESPN’s Holly Rowe on Finding Joy in Daily Moments

Holly Rowe has made a name for herself as one of ESPN’s most versatile commentators in her 20-year career. She covers college football, college basketball,…

Holly Rowe has made a name for herself as one of ESPN’s most versatile commentators in her 20-year career. She covers college football, college basketball, softball and multiple other sports for the network. In 2015, Holly was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma– a rare, fast-spreading form of skin cancer. Once she went public with her diagnosis and treatment, Holly found a cheering section of her own. On this episode, Holly shares how her diagnosis shifted her perspective and focused her on the small moments of joy in each day. We also talk about her unique career journey and what she’s learned from interviewing the best athletes and coaches in the world.

Follow Holly: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

“I just decided that I was going to focus on my little small joyful moments each day instead of the scary part.”

Click To Tweet

Show Notes

How her childhood growing up in Utah shaped who she is today (1:51)
The many odd jobs Holly took to work her way through college (3:17)
How she juggled motherhood and her career early on (6:04)
How going public with her cancer diagnosis helped Holly realize her value (8:54)
How social media has changed the media landscape (10:35)
The career advice she got as an intern that stuck with her (12:46)
Why she keeps a “joy journal” (16:25)
Shifting from feeling fear to choosing joy (20:21)
Dealing with moments of vulnerability (23:09)
What’s she’s learned from interviewing the best athletes and coaches in the world (25:36)
The lessons she learned from legendary coaches Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma (28:06)
The 3 C’s of high performers: competitiveness, caring about the success of others, and communication (30:32)
How she builds trust to be able to connect (32:17)
Managing her energy (34:23)
The advice she would give her younger self (38:28)

Resources / People Mentioned

Holly Rowe, ESPN
ESPN College Football Saturday Primetime
Metastatic melanoma
Maria Taylor, ESPN
President George W. Bush
Lesley Visser, sportscaster
Marty Glickman, sports announcer
Doris Burke, ESPN
Beth Mowins, ESPN
Candace Parker, WNBA
Michael Jordan, NBA
Pat Summitt, basketball coach
Geno Auriemma, basketball coach
Mike Krzyzewski, basketball coach
Bill Self, basketball coach
Modern Love, TV series
President Barack Obama

Recommended For You

Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:

Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app and leave a rating or review!

Get Molly’s Free 5-Minute Morning Routine to Build Better Relationships

LATEST BOOK

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success

“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

A #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success

In a world fixated on fleeting success, a bold framework for pursuing your goals unapologetically without compromising what matters most. This isn’t just another self-help theory: Dynamic Drive is your practical guide to unlocking your true potential. Through her decades of experience working with top athletes and peak performers across industries, renowned keynote speaker and leadership expert Molly Fletcher has created a proven formula backed by research that outlines the seven keys to sustainable success. The truth is fulfillment doesn’t come from setting and accomplishing goals in isolation. It comes from Dynamic Drive—a holistic approach that connects all parts of you with your purpose and allows you to engage in meaningful growth, both personally and professionally. Unlike traditional approaches that dilute drive into a mere means to an end, which can lead to burnout, Dynamic Drive is a way of life, a mindset. It’s about figuring out the parts of your life where you are playing small or safe or are dissatisfied. Dynamic Drive is the process by which we implement and sustain intentional change. The greatest reward isn’t in what you achieve, but who you become in the process. Your path to sustained high performance in all areas of your life begins here. This is your manual for an aligned, joyful, and relentless pursuit of a better you.

“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

Episode 236- Dr. Becky Kennedy on Raising Resilient, Confident Kids

What if your hardest parenting moments are actually your greatest opportunities to lead with confidence, connection, and trust? Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and the founder of Good Inside—a global parenting movement changing the way we raise our kids. In this episode, Dr. Becky shares practical...

Episode 235- How to Create Buy-In and Build Trust with NBA Coach Will Hardy

Want to know the secret to success? Show up, say yes, and outwork everyone in the room. That mindset helped Will Hardy become one of the youngest head coaches in the NBA. Now in his third season leading the Utah Jazz, Will previously served as an assistant coach with the...

Episode 234- There’s No Such Thing as Overnight Success with Multi-Platinum Singer-Songwriter Rachel Platten

Rachel Platten’s Fight Song became a global anthem of resilience, but her journey to success—and what came after—is an even more powerful story. In this episode, Rachel opens up about the grind before her breakthrough, the emotional rollercoaster of fame, and how stepping away from the industry led her to...

Episode 233- From Model to Mogul: Molly Sims on Career Pivots and Betting Big on Yourself

Success isn’t about following a straight path—it’s about knowing when to pivot. Molly Sims has done just that. From supermodel to Hollywood to building YSE Beauty from the ground up, she’s proof that reinvention is always possible. In this episode, Molly reveals how she’s navigated major career transitions, taken bold...

Episode 232- The 5 Types of Wealth with Sahil Bloom

What if the way we measure success is broken? In this episode I sit down with Sahil Bloom, author of the new book The 5 Types of Wealth, to explore a new definition of true wealth. Sahil shares the wake-up call that forced him to reevaluate his career, relationships, and...

Episode 231- Never Knocked Out: Kendall Toole on Reinvention, Resilience, and Life After Peloton

Life will knock you down—but it doesn’t have to knock you out. In this episode, I sit down with Kendall Toole. A top fitness and wellness expert, mental health advocate, and content creator, Kendall has inspired millions with her energy and authenticity. But behind her success is a powerful story...

Resources