But being grateful doesn’t mean being complacent. Sexism – on and off the field – is a reality, and it can be exhausting to do the work of an athlete while also bearing the weight of being a female athlete. I am terrified of making mistakes on the field because I feel responsible for representing female ultimate players, and with every drop, every overthrow, every unsuccessful defensive effort, I feel as if I’ve let down the women’s ultimate community as a whole. After spending so many years trying to prove wrong the stereotypes about girls and women, it’s difficult to shut out these stereotypes so that I can focus on making plays. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed. I forget how much I love ultimate, and it is at these times that I remember this summer. I remember what it felt like to focus on being an athlete without thinking about being a female athlete. I remember the gratitude I have for this sport and the athletes who play it, and I use this gratitude as a reminder of why it is so important to promote and celebrate the girls and women of ultimate.

Because of what I learned this summer, I will be confident. I will be powerful. I will be strong. I will play with full commitment, and I will use the pain that comes from coming up short as motivation instead of discouragement. I will work to ensure that other girls have the same opportunities I had. I will give back to this community which has given so much to me.

And above all, I will be brave.