Hi there and welcome to Fortitude (not to be confused with Fornite-the game my son plays every free moment he gets)!  I can’t wait to share more about the vision behind Fortitude with you….but first a little about me. 

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I am the proud mom of two beautiful kiddos, Khaliah & Kameron.  They are two growing teenagers who eat around the clock, argue nonstop, but gratefully still hug me randomly. When I am not playing chauffeur, chef, or maid to these two, I am a wildly passionate educator. I have been in education for over 15 years with experience teaching every age group from Kindergartner to High School. 

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Fortitude was born out of my drive to help young people combined with a need I had for my own children.  As Khaliah and Kameron began diving into the sport of their choice (track for Khaliah and baseball for Kameron), I realized quickly how much they needed mental strength training just as much as they needed physical training.  I searched everywhere looking for programs or classes that would help support them, but found nothing.  I was disappointed by the lack of support available, especially knowing how crucial this age would play in shaping their minds into adulthood.  Then I had a life changing moment with Khaliah. 

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She had just ventured into her second season of track and was so excited she started working out and training weeks before.  When the time came to name which races she wanted to run, she thought carefully about which fit her well and shared she wanted to run the 4x400, 4x200 and maybe the 4x100.  Oh I was so giddy with pride and excitement for her…..those long legs of hers would definitely serve her well in these races!  Then I asked which individual race she would run (if you are not familiar with track, the races she named are all relay races, not individual races).  My giddiness soon became heartfelt empathy as I saw my daughter’s countenance drop and she grew quiet.  I knew she was facing a very real emotion that she was holding inside and not wanting to say out loud.  I asked her to tell me what she was thinking and experiencing and she shared I don’t think I want to run an individual race.  Shocked I asked why not. And she whispered, with eyes lowered, “I wouldn’t have anyone to catch me up”.  My heart cried out for her…..I recognized this emotion.  She was feeling inadequate.  She wasn’t sure she had what it took to carry her own race solo.  She was afraid of failure and not being enough.  And she had given me a gift by opening up to me and sharing this very vulnerable thought.  And so, I lovingly grabbed her hand and looked her in her eyes and talked to her about the “voice” in our head that will try to get us to doubt ourselves.  I encouraged her by reminding her of all of her hard work and preparation.  And I told her this moment was bigger than a track meet.  It was about training herself on what to do when she feels like she can’t do something in life.  When she feels inferior.  And I gave her the motto I live by when I experience these feelings myself: “Do it anyway”.  You are afraid?  Do it anyway.  You feel like you might fail?  Do it anyway.  Others say you can’t?  Do it anyway.  She left my car with a look that said, I don’t know about this mom.  But she did the most amazing thing next…..she signed up anyway!  Boy was I a proud mama:)  She went on to not only show up for herself and quiet the voice of fear-she killed it!  She dominated the 400m individual race and showed herself what she was capable of.

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It wasn’t until I experienced this moment that I realized our children deserve the investment from someone to help them train their hearts and minds not just their bodies.  And if I couldn’t find someone to be that person for my kids---I would be there.  That was the birth of Fortitude.  I wanted to create a space for young people to dive into the thoughts and feelings that shape who they are and how they show up in life.

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And so my hope is simple, I hope to connect with your young athlete on their journey to greatness and provide them with the tools and exercises to build their mental strength so that no matter what moment they face in sports (or in life), they are equipped to excel.

 

With hope & love,

-Shatara