We’re All Just a Kid from Somewhere with a Dream

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/POWERADE.

I have played sports since as far back as I can remember – 5 years old playing t-ball to high school basketball and softball teams. I never gave much thought to my parents being there at every practice and game until I had little athletes of my own.

No matter what, whether I had a 9 a.m. practice or a 8 p.m. game across town, my Mom loaded up my little sister and met my team there. Rooting me on from the stands, I remember shaking my head a few times when I could hear her voice over the rest, even my coaches, “Come on Kris!” (She always called me Kris – unless I was in trouble of course). “Swing all the way through!!” or “Lift that elbow!” Some of the same things I shout to my son during his games.

Though being a baseball Mom can be exhausting, I never heard my Mom once complain. She never complained about taking me to practices, or how dinner would have to wait, or how much work she had to get done at the house; she was just always there, folding chair swung over her shoulder, cooler filled with drinks and snacks, umbrella ready, and sometimes even with a blanket for those really chilly Spring practices. She was always there ready to cheer me on, and encourage me to be the best I could be.

For many years I was determined to be the first female professional baseball player (I was going to be that good that they would want me to play for MLB). Then to be a part of the WNBA. Never once did my Mom discourage me, or try to push me in another direction – she believed if I wanted to do something, I could do it.

That is the Mom I am trying to be with mine.

Though they might change their mind every few months on what they want to be – I tell them they can do whatever they set their minds to.

POWERADE believes that with the right motivation these everyday athletes can realize their potential and one day be the athletes that they look up to. Sports have a major impact on our communities. Whether it is t-ball or the pros, every athlete in every league has a story waiting to be told.

There is potential in all of us.  No matter what you achieve in life, you start in the same place as everyone else:  as a young athlete full of potential and big dreams.  At the end of the day, we are all “just a kid” from somewhere.

POWERADE comes in great tasting flavors and has been helping keep athletes hydrated for decades.  POWERADE ZERO^TM features the same hydration benefits of classic POWERADE but with ZERO calories.

 

POWERADE flavors:

Mountain Berry Blast®

Fruit Punch

Orange

Grape

Lemon Lime

POWERADE Zero flavors:

Mixed Berry

Grape Zero

• Walmart/POWERADE Offer – Free “Just a Kid” Sports Bottle:

When shoppers purchase two 8-packs of 20 oz POWERADE at Walmart, they’ll be able to go online, submit their receipt, and order a free custom “Just a Kid” reusable sports bottle. Go to http://www.us.powerade.com/walmart/#pov2 to learn more.  The offer is good until April 4, 2016 or while supplies last.