I interviewed Former Team USA Olympian Lauren Lappin at the NFCA national convention. These are the answers to my ten questions. Sponsored by http://SoftballJunk.com Fastpitch TV Social Media Sites: http://Fastpitch.TV/Facebook http://Fastpitch.TV/Store http://Fastpitch.TV/Instagram http://Fastpitch.TV/Newsletter http://Fastpitch.TV/Books http://Fastpitch.TV/Backers http://Fastpitch.TV/Apps http://Fastpitch.TV/Twitter http://Fastpitch.TV/GooglePlus http://Fastpitch.TV/YouTube http://Fastpitch.TV/Pinterest http://Fastpitch.TV/Flickr http://FastpitchMagazine.com Gary is a new media producer of fastpitch softball information. For advertising information send him an email to GaryLeland@gmail.com, or visit his personal website site at www.GaryLeland.com

1. Olympian Lauren Lappin
Answers My Ten Questions
by Gary Leland
Presented by

2. 1. How old were you when you started playing
softball?
Softball I started at 8 years old, but
baseball I started playing at 5 years old up
till then.

3. 2. Was there anyone special in your life that
helped you become a great player?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have many special
people in my life, and had the opportunity to be
exposed to throughout my softball career. But my Dad
had a significant role in my love for the game and my
career and my development as a young athlete. He
was my travel ball team coach from the time I was 11.

4. 3. How did you get ready for a game?
I’m a big eater, so a meal was always
important. I was very religious in my
warm up routine and getting to the field
early to warm up and get ready to play.
Nothing to ritualistic though.

5. 4. What do you like to do when you are not
involved with softball?
I live in Chicago so I have the world at my
fingertips when it comes to things to do. I am
really into yoga since retiring. I love traveling
and visiting family as well as photography.

6. 5. What factors do you feel have influenced you
the most to become the player and you are
today?
I think a lot of it had to do with opportunity. The family
I was born into was very sports driven and being athletic.
But I would say the environment to win in. Just to be
challenged to continue to better my game and myself as a
human being. I was very fortunate to be surrounded by
the people I was growing up.

7. 6. Do you have any routines are superstitions
that you implement regularly?
I always at the end of my overhand
warm up I would throw an underhand pitch,
as well as my pre at bat routine was pretty
significant my last 6 to 8 years.

8. 7. What is your favorite softball memory?
Well its crazy, cause its been 17 years now, but
winning the National Championship when I was on the
california cruisers softball team. Playing in the World
Series with Stanford was such a cool experience. Its
crazy to see since 2004 how much it has grown. And of
course playing on Team USA and going to the
Olympics as an alternate, being in the stands when our
team won the Gold Medal.

9. 8. How much value do you place on mental
training? Do you have any advice for others in
this area?
I think the mental training aspect has been such
an incredible impact on our sport. Its a trickle down
effect because of how big our sport has become.
Teaching clinics in the sport at such younger ages
helps build that mental foundation.

10. 9. What is the greatest obstacle you have had to
overcome in your playing and/or coaching
career?
Well I think piggy backing off the mental aspect of the
game, I think I was a player who was very passionate and
emotional player, being vocal and fiery. I think the biggest
challenge was figuring out how to channel all that excitable
energy into my game. And to allow my teammates to feed off of
me in a positive way rather than letting my emotions ride a
roller coaster.

11. 10. What is life after being a softball player for you?
Well its officially been over a year since I
decided I was done playing, so life after softball
is still the same for me. I love the sport and
teaching it, and mentoring in softball. The ability
to travel and being available for life events and
being present for my family.

12. Thanks For Reading
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