On The Sideline with Dr. Sally Parish: Why Leadership Identity Starts Earlier Than We Think

 - In this episode of The 5th Quarter Podcast – On the Sideline, Sandy Adams sits down with Dr. Sally G. Parish, Vice Provost at the University of Memphis and Superintendent of University Schools.

Dr. Parish leads a rapidly growing K–12 school district connected to the university, but her passion for developing confident young leaders was shaped much earlier in life.

Growing up in Pulaski, Tennessee, a difficult experience with a high school coach led her to walk away from sports entirely as a freshman. That moment would later influence her mission to create environments where young people — especially girls — can build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of identity.

Before returning to Memphis, Dr. Parish launched an award-winning leadership development program for collegiate student-athletes and conducted research on leadership identity development, identifying key traits such as growth mindset, grit, and competitive purpose.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How early experiences shape identity and confidence
 • Why athletes often face an identity shift when their playing careers end
 • What coaches and educators can do to develop leaders — not just performers
 • Why young girls need spaces where they can build confidence and use their voice
 • How the University school system has grown into a full K–12 district with more than 55 athletic teams

This episode is about more than sports.

It’s about helping young people discover who they are long before the world tells them what they should be.

💬 This episode includes a special message about Sandy’s LinkedIn Makeover service—designed to help professionals show up online with confidence. Want your profile to reflect your expertise and stand out? Book your makeover at sandy-adams.com/linkedin.

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