It gave me lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences, incredible mentors, and lessons that have shaped every chapter of my life. The discipline to keep showing up. The courage to lead. The resilience to overcome setbacks. The confidence to use my voice. The understanding that the best teams are built on trust, accountability, and people willing to put something bigger than themselves first.

Growing up, I wish I had a resource like Beyond the Game.

I had amazing coaches and teammates, but I wish I'd had something that talked about all the stuff that comes with being a girl who plays competitive sports — not just how to get better at the sport.

How to make a mistake and not let it ruin the rest of my game. How to navigate friendships and teammates. How to speak up for myself. How to handle pressure and confidence. How to be a leader even when I wasn't the captain. How to be a good teammate when I was frustrated with my own role.

All of it.

And now, as a coach, I see girls navigating those same things. They're learning how to compete while also figuring out friendships, confidence, communication, pressure, disappointment, leadership and who they're becoming.

I kept thinking, why isn't there a resource that actually talks to girls about this stuff?

So I wrote the book I wish I had.

I didn't write it just to create better athletes.

I wrote it to help girls become the kind of people others want on their team, in sports and in life.

Because the habits they build today will follow them far beyond the final whistle.

The way they show up for practice is often the way they'll show up in friendships.

The way they respond to adversity is often the way they'll respond in their careers.

The way they encourage a teammate is often the way they'll love their families one day.

Sports give us an incredible opportunity to shape lives, and I don't want to waste that opportunity.

MEET ALEXIS

I grew up in Columbia, Missouri, playing soccer, basketball and volleyball. Soccer eventually became my main path. I started on a boys' team before joining my hometown's first all-girls soccer club. By high school, I was making the four-hour round trip to St. Louis several times a week to train at a higher level. None of it would have been possible without my family. Their countless miles, unwavering encouragement, and belief in me made every opportunity possible.

That journey led me to the University of Tulsa, where I played Division I soccer and had the privilege of serving as team captain.

Today, I coach competitive girls’ soccer because I want every player to know she belongs, that her teammates are her people, and that she has something valuable to contribute. Because greatness isn't found in talent alone. It's found in showing up, doing the work, and choosing to become a little better every single day.

If Beyond the Game helps one young woman find her confidence, discover her voice, become a stronger leader, or believe in herself just a little more, then every page was worth writing.

The goal isn't to raise great athletes. It's to help raise remarkable women.