ATHLETES SOUL is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization incorporated in the State of California, tax exemption number #4285299. The organization is governed by its Board of Trustees.
Olympic Synchronized Swimming
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MYRIAM GLEZ - TRUSTEE (Chair)
Myriam Glez is a two-time Olympian in synchronized swimming, former CEO of USA Synchronized Swimming and founder of Athletes Soul. She participated in 4 Olympic Games for 4 different countries as an athlete (2000 - Team France, 2008 - Team Australia), coach (2012 - Team GB) and team leader (2016 - Team USA). Prior to leading USA Synchronized Swimming, Myriam worked in marketing, branding, and sponsorship for Accor hotels for 10 years in Paris, Bangkok and Sydney. Myriam has a Masters’ degree from the European School of Management. She is an executive consultant for start-up TheSho. She lives in Venice, CA. Read about Myriam's transition here. |
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DR MÓNICA LEBRÓN - TRUSTEE
Dr. Mónica Lebrón was named Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer for Tulane University Athletics in August of 2016. As Deputy AD, Lebrón serves as second in command within the Tulane Athletics Department, overseeing all internal and external day-to-day operations. In addition, she serves as the sport supervisor for football, women’s basketball, beach volleyball, and sailing where she facilitates all scheduling and budget management, among other tasks. She also oversees the entire external side of the department which includes all revenue generating operations. Lebrón joined the Green Wave after spending the 2015-16 year as associate athletics director for development at the University of Georgia. While there, Lebrón oversaw all aspects of athletic fundraising, raising a record $56.96 million for the 2016 fiscal year. Prior to Georgia, Lebrón was assistant athletics director for Development from 2012-14 before being elevated to associate athletics director at Ole Miss. In addition to her time at Georgia and Ole Miss, Lebrón served as Senior Major Gifts Officer (2008-11) and senior associate director (2011-12) at the University of California, Berkeley, where she oversaw a portfolio of 500+ donors. Lebrón also worked in various capacities at Gator Boosters, Inc., from 2004-08, where she worked heavily with the athletics alumni base. Lebrón graduated from Yale University in May 2001, where she was a four-year letterwinner and starter for the school’s softball team. She earned her master of sports administration and MBA from Ohio University in June 2003. Most recently, she earned her Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies from Tulane University in the spring of 2019. Read about Monica's transition from sports here. |
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SARA LILLY - TRUSTEE (Treasurer)
Sara Lowe Lilly was a competitive gymnast and then synchronized swimmer for many years. She won a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games, a gold medal at the 2003 Pan-American Games and competed collegiately for Stanford for 4 years. She was Team Captain and a Collegiate All-American from 2005 to 2008. Sara Lilly was the Head Coach of Stanford Synchronized Swimming from 2012 to 2018 and a USA Synchronized Swimming National Team Coach from 2011 to 2018. She received her B.A Communication from Stanford University in 2008 and her Executive MBA from Saint Mary’s College of California in 2017. She has received many awards throughout her career for her athletic and coaching accomplishments: Stanford University Hall of Fame Inductee (2018), USOC Athlete of the Year Nominee (2008), USA Synchro Coach (2013, 2016) and Athlete of the Year (2004, 2007), Stanford Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year (2008). Sara is the founder of Sara Lilly Advising, an consultancy firm helping high school student-athletes with their college application. Sara is currently living in Dallas, TX with her husband Matt. Read about Sara's transition from sports here. |
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BRACEY ARMAN WRIGHT - TRUSTEE
Bracey Arman Wright was a collegiate and professional basketball player. He played at Indiana University and then professionally throughout the world for 15 years. Bracey Wright was a high school and college All American, a 6 time All-Star and 6 times champion in Europe. Bracey Arman Wright is now a Personal Coach who serves high performing athletes and solopreneurs who want to experience exponential growth in themselves and their lives. Through 10 years of deep inner work, Bracey built an immense experience and understanding of the challenges, pressures and desires of high performers. Bracey now supports his clients in achieving their potential. Through deep conversation and introspection, he motivates and challenges them to create an even bigger vision. Bracey also trains in Spiritual Psychology and Neuro Linguistic Programming(NLP). |
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VALERIE WILLIAMS - TRUSTEE (Secretary)
Valerie Williams was a competitive synchronized swimmer for Los Angeles Synchro and coached for the team from 2002-2004. She was an Assistant Coach with the Meraquas of Irvine from 2005 to 2012, and founded Westside Aquatics Synchro in 2014. She is the Head Coach and also Director of Swim Lessons for the club. She coached the USA Synchronized Swimming National Team in 2012 and 2016 and multiple talent identification camps. She received her B.A. in Education from California State University, Northridge, and previously worked as a freelance production assistant and executive assistant in the film industry. She is the owner and director of Aquabatix USA, a synchronized swimming entertainment company, and the head coach of the Masters team, LA Sea Stars. She currently lives in Venice, CA. |
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KATIE HARGRAVE - TRANSITION COACH
Katie Hargrave was a competitive athlete for 15 years, finishing her basketball career in 2011 at the NCAA Division II level. She realized at that time she didn't know how to eat or exercise when it wasn't for her sport. She spent several years researching and trying different programs until she was able to find what worked for her. Through this process, she realized her passion is helping others in their journey of finding balanced health. She wrote a book to help athletes with their transition from sport to life: The Athlete After: A 10-week guide to balancing life after sports. She received her Holistic Health Coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and is a member of the International Association for Health Coaches. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise. She is currently living in Olympia, Washington with her husband and son. |
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ERIKA FAY - TRANSITION COACH
Erika Fay was a high school swimmer and college water polo player at Purdue University. She continues her athletic pursuits as an endurance athlete. To date, she has completed two full Ironman distance triathlons and continue to compete in multiple marathons and triathlons every year. Erika is a Certified Life Mastery Consultant and Success Coach and specializes in optimizing her clients' performance and overall fulfillment. For over 20 years, Erika has worked with professional & amateur athletes, entrepreneurs & business professionals all around the world, helping them accelerate their results, build their dreams and create richer, more fulfilling lives. Erika is also a Licensed psychotherapist and owns a private practice in Chicago. She believes that discovering your unique purpose and living a purpose-driven life, not only generates a fuller, more expansive, fun life for the individual, it also creates priceless positive impact on loved ones, others in the community and the world. Erika currently lives in Chicago, IL with her partner and her newborn baby. |
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NEHA UBEROI - TRANSITION COACH
Neha Uberoi is a clinical mental health professional, social entrepreneur and former professional tennis player. She is the co-founder and CEO of South Asians in Sports, a non-profit organization that advocates for, educates and promotes South Asians working in sports globally. Uberoi is also a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Tennis Association. Since retiring from professional tennis in 2009, She has advocated for mental health through research, direct practice, coaching, public speaking and digital content, appearing on various media platforms to provide commentary on sports, women's empowerment and health and wellness, notably; The BBC, Sports Illustrated, SportsBusiness Journal, Columbia University, The Huffington Post, Mind Body Green, NeoSports and Al Jazeera. Uberoi is a graduate of Princeton University. She is currently completing her Masters in Clinical Social Work at Columbia University. |
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SAMMY JO DIFFENDAFER ALLEN - TRANSITION COACH
Former softball Big XII athlete and 4-year letter winner at Oklahoma State University (softball), Sammy Jo achieved much recognition in her athletic career: high school state champion, 16U national champion, NCAA Division I Women’s College World Series Participant, and NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete. Sammy Jo is now a Transition Coach for Athletes Soul and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate. She is passionate about helping individuals learn the power of assertiveness, boundaries, social connectedness, and healthy relationships, with the primary goal of helping individuals achieve their own unique goals. Sammy has received master’s-level training, has conducted her own research, and has specialized over the course of her career in systemic theories and interventions. For the athlete facing difficulty in sport and/or life, Sammy Jo is committed to helping you throughout all aspects of your transition, honoring you first as the person, and second as the athlete. |
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TAJ DASHAUN - TRANSITION COACH
Taj Dashaun is a former Division-1 College Football player for Stony Brook University. After playing his last game of football, Taj struggled heavily with depression. He had never fully developed a clear vision for his life after the game. After several years of stumbling around in the dark, Taj began to take his eyes off of himself and focus on serving others. He now runs an intensive program for retired athletes who are struggling to adapt to life after sports. Not only does Taj help retired athletes land jobs and start businesses, he helps them find fulfillment in every single area of their lives. It's become his personal mission to reach out and help others overcome the fear, frustration, and uncertainty associated with life post-athletics. |
