Description

What happens when a family tragedy shapes an athletic director’s entire approach to leadership? Britt Lauritsen of Bemidji State University carries forward lessons learned from a grandfather who responded to unthinkable violence with love and compassion - and it’s transforming how she leads in today’s complex college athletics landscape.

In this episode of the Inner Athlete Podcast, host Hans Skulstad sits down with Britt to explore how a shocking family story became her guiding principle, why “What Made Maddie Run” hits so close to home, and how mental fitness is changing the conversation for coaches and athletes alike.

You’ll discover:

• How a family tragedy taught her that “love like everyone else will match your energy”
• Why she could have been Madison Holleran and what that means for today’s athletes
• Her approach to having difficult conversations while centering student-athlete humanity
• Why mental fitness resonates more than mental health with coaches and athletes
• The generational shift happening in coaching and how successful coaches adapt

Key Insights:

• Leadership Philosophy: “No” doesn’t have to be a brick wall - it’s an opportunity to find a different path
• Social Media Reality: Today’s athletes face pressures no previous generation experienced
• Mental Fitness: It’s a skill to exercise, not a problem to be fixed
• Coaching Evolution: The best coaches listen, process, and admit when they don’t have answers

What you’ll learn:

• How to have intelligent conversations around difficult decisions
• Why “what you say in the 11th second is better than the first”
• The difference between D1 headlines and D2/D3 reality
• How to help athletes see they can move the needle themselves

Whether you’re an athletic administrator navigating modern challenges, a coach working with today’s athletes, or a parent trying to understand the pressures facing young people, Britt’s insights on leadership, mental wellness, and creating environments where humanity comes first offer a masterclass in leading with love.

Connect with Britt: Bemidji State University Athletics

Resources mentioned:

• “What Made Maddie Run” by Kate Fagan
• Women Leaders in Sports organization
• Mental fitness vs. mental health reframing

The Inner Athlete Podcast explores mental fitness strategies for athletes at every level. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, mental wellness, and building supportive athletic environments.