When the WNBA tips off this weekend, Atlanta Dream guard Renee Montgomery won’t be there. Renee is sitting out the 2020 WNBA season to focus on the fight for social justice reform. A two-time WNBA champion and former standout at the University of Connecticut, Renee has carved out an 11-year career in the pros. Now, she’s focused her attention on another mission. On this episode, Renee shares why she’s trading basketball for a greater purpose and what it means to use your platform for change.
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Show Notes
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- Renee’s decision to sit out the 2020 WNBA season to fight for social justice reform (2:55)
- WNBA star Maya Moore’s fight for criminal justice reform (5:39)
- Using her platform to create change (6:43)
- How she gained clarity and made the decision to leave her comfort zone (7:34)
- Renee’s thoughts on Atlanta Dream owner Kelly Loeffler’s criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement (8:18)
- Renee’s response to people who say “keep politics out of sports” (9:31)
- Find your tribe (10:22)
- How growing up in West Virginia shaped Renee’s perspective (12:17)
- Shifting to curiosity inside of difficult conversations (14:49)
- The sacrifices WNBA players make and Renee’s experiences playing overseas (16:33)
- How being part of a diverse locker room taught Renee to communicate (18:38)
- The issues- voting rights and education- that Renee is most passionate about (20:17)
- Her favorite advice from Geno Auriemma: “Don’t do it until you get it right. Do it until you can’t get it wrong.” (22:36)
- The difference between a good team and a championship team (24:10)
- Support The Renee Montgomery Foundation (25:55)
Resources / People Mentioned
- The Renee Montgomery Foundation
- When The W Comes Back, I Won’t Be There by Renee Montgomery
- WNBA
- Atlanta Dream
- Minnesota Lynx
- University of Connecticut women’s basketball
- Geno Auriemma, basketball coach
- Maya Moore left basketball. A prisoner needed her help. (New York Times)
- An Open Letter to Senator Kelly Loeffler by Renee Montgomery
- Renee Montgomery on ESPN’s First Take
- Lebron James and other stars form a voting rights group (New York Times)
- More Than A Vote
- Steve Smith, former NBA player
- Donate to The Renee Montgomery Foundation
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Geno Auriemma on Winning (And Winning Some More)
- Elena Delle Donne on Owning Your Happiness
- Carli Lloyd on Outworking the Competition
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