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Vanessa Garcia-Brito is tired of the narrow lens put on sports.
When people hear sports, a default image might come to mind, she says.
I like to say, Life is sport.
Life itself requires movement, so expanding what sport means is key.
Nike chief impact officer Vanessa Garcia-Brito, seen here bonding with the young attendees of an event during the Coach the Dream Summit, wants to empower girls to stay in sports.
Hence, expanding how we view it.
But also, supporting young athletes at the start of their journey.
Her biggest challenge right now?
Tennis icon Naomi Osaka plays an icebreaker game at a recent event for her Play Academy initiative, which aims to increase the participation of girls in sports.
Changing the playing field, quite literally, for girls.
Urgency is the starting point, she says.
Her approach goes beyond any single event or initiative; its about transforming a culture.
Kids participate in the Coach the Dream event in Tokyo, hosted in partnership with Laureus Sport.
Especially during those years when dropout rates soar, they want to feel heard and represented.
That same zeal drives me as an advocate for girls and women in every role Ive taken.
When youre working from a place of purpose, life operates on a whole different level.
What advice do you wish you could give your younger self?
Id tell my younger self, It can be done.
Whatever youre dreaming of, whatever that goal isits possible.
Nike is making strides to address gender gaps in Japan, especially in sports.
Whats a piece of professional advice that has stuck with you?
The power of yes, and knowing its okay to be the first.
Sports can be transformative for kids.
But how do you create environments that also provide healing for girls dealing with challenges beyond physical health?
Kids participate in the Coach the Dream event in Tokyo, hosted in partnership with Laureus Sport.
Whats the best piece of money advice youve received?
That money is a toolits not the destination or everything.
And also, dont spend what you dont have.
First, create space to understand, for yourself, what your true priorities are.
What does success look like for younot defined by others, but by what genuinely fulfills and energizes you?
We often get stuck thinking everything has to fit into one area, but thats not a rule!
Whats one lesson you learned the hard way?
The work doesnotspeak for itself.
Its essential to connect what youre doingyour merit, your contributionsto the business priorities and expectations.
Demonstrating that alignment and the value it brings is key.
Another key thing is to let your priorities truly be your priorities.
If family is essential, act accordingly.
If a relationship is important, treat it like its important.
They complement each other because Ive taken the time to understand what each means to me.
Its about letting these priorities uplift each other, not compete.
I like to say, Life is sport.
Life itself requires movement, so expanding what sport means is key.
Secondly, it has to be fun.
Lastly, we need to make it inclusive.
Sports arent just for one throw in of body or one throw in of persontheyre for everyone.
Creating this sense of belonging is why we focus so much on coaching.
They help foster a space where every girl feels like she belongs, no matter her level or ability.
Sometimes, though, failure is discouraged.
How can coaches and sports leaders help?
