How the Slam Dunk Challenged Media, Repositioned Basketball and Ignited a Conversation about 'Ladylike' Tendencies with Michelle Snow (2021)

Jun 23

As part of our Season III relaunch this month, we are revisiting a few of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into strategies that are relevant and applicable to you today.

When Michelle Snow was young, there was no professional basketball league for women in the United States. Despite no clear path to success, and despite her doubters, Michelle dreamed that she would one day realize her dream of making a career as a professional basketball player. And did she ever!

On November 30, 2000, Michelle’s fate of making it to a professional league was sealed when she became the first woman to dunk in a nationally televised basketball game. She hasn’t slowed down for a moment since.

In today’s episode, Sylvia and Michelle discuss what it takes to pursue your dreams, with practical advice on where to start. They discuss Michelle’s transition from athletics into business, how being raised in a trailer park shaped Michelle’s approach to work, how social norms impact the performance of female athletes, and much more.

"You must decide who you will be: the fan, the cheerleader or will you step onto the playing field of life and live fully. The decision is yours." Michelle Snow

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About Michelle

Michelle Snow is an ex- professional basketball player with the WNBA and international teams. She is currently an speaker, entrepreneur & business coach. While at the University of Tennessee, Michelle played for Pat Summitt, whose 1,098 career wins are the most in NCAA basketball history. On November 30, 2000, Michelle became just the third woman in NCAA college basketball history to dunk during a game. Michelle was drafted 10th overall in the 1st round of the 2002 WNBA Draft. She was nominated to both the 2005 and 2006 all-star teams. In the midst of her twelve-year career as a professional athlete, Michelle founded several companies in different industries successfully leveraging proven certification trainings and workshops. Her training materials are customizable to each person’s unique situation to quickly maximize their full potential.