Notes from Coach Jackie.
Stories and practical tools on pressure, confidence, goals, and growing on and off the court. Written for student-athletes, the parents who cheer for them, and the coaches who lead them.
We’re fast approaching two years of Power Forward! In addition to a merch drop, I’d love to hear your ideas for ways to celebrate. Here’s this week’s Starting Five, in no...
Oops - a whole month slipped by without posting! It’s hard to keep up with content when it’s just me, myself, and I. It’s been a busy June-into-July! Here’s this week’s Starting...
Should I just dedicate this edition to the starting five of the Knicks? To be honest, I’m basking in the spirit and vibes in the city right now, but I did grow up a New Jersey...
This edition is extra special. :) And did I mention the city is buzzing? Here’s this week’s Starting Five, in a very particular order: Fiancé seen here serving as my personal...
How ‘bout them Knicks?? The city is alive with sunny weather and electric energy. Here’s this week’s Starting Five, in no particular order: I’m practicing what I preach! I joined...
Bear with me… these won’t be publishing on the same day each week. We’ll try for Tuesdays, but perhaps Thursdays are more realistic. Plus, what can you expect after Princeton...
It felt like we went from spring to summer REAL quick this past week. No complaints. The weekend was packed with hosting, cheering, and quality time with some of my favorite...
Welcome back! Last week was a whirlwind. I felt like I didn’t get much “work” done, but then I reminded myself the small business grind never stops. Whether I’m attending events...
Re-entering the youth sports world has helped me reflect more deeply on my experience as a D1 athlete, especially my pattern of injuries. Through years of reflection and...
If you’ve been following Power Forward on IG, you might remember the Starting Five series. Good news… I’m bringing it back in newsletter form! It’s a fun way to remind myself to...
Damon was one of the first people I connected with when starting Power Forward. He was building ADAK, the first platform built specifically for student-athletes to connect with...
The affiliations and accomplishments are impressive, and of course we love to name-drop Team USA, the WNBA, and Darden for SEO purposes. But that’s not why I chose my teammate...
I’ve been paying attention to what makes certain people feel magnetic. It almost always comes back to the same thing: they listen really well. It’s a skill that takes practice and...
It’s officially that deep-of-winter-trying-my-best-to-find-sunshine-through-the-clouds time of the year. I’m nine years removed from the frigid walks from my dorm to basketball...
Over Thanksgiving, I found myself flipping through old notebooks from childhood. What started as a quick quest to get rid of junk turned into hours of rummaging through bins...
I can still remember two very specific feelings in my stomach. They’ve stayed with me for years, and sometimes they even creep into my dreams. The first was the night before high...
When I first started my mindset coaching practice, I was excited to showcase the new skills I learned through my Youth Coaching Institute certification. At the same time, I was...
Last week, one of my young athletes taught me a lesson about adaptability that no business book ever could. I was working with her on a crossover drill that seemed simple in my...
A reminder for parents during college showcase season: your child has worked hard to get here. Help them keep the joy in the game. Tournament after tournament. Long drives across...
A reminder for student-athletes navigating college showcase season: you’ve worked hard to get here. Don’t forget to enjoy the game. Playing in tournament after tournament, driving...
Coach Tara Madigan, legendary head coach of Northern Highlands Girls Soccer, has officially retired after 20 seasons of unparalleled success. Our team will be inducted into our...
I was watching a youth soccer practice in New York City the other day and noticed something: after nearly every action, good or bad, a kid would glance at their coach. Not just...
College acceptance letters are landing, decisions are happening fast, and emotions are all over the place. For high school seniors, this season hits like a whirlwind: excitement...
When the spotlight feels too bright, what do you tell yourself? It’s Final Four weekend(!!!), and while the country is locked in on the madness, I’ve been thinking about pressure...
It’s about that time of year when our New Year's resolutions might start slipping. Maybe you told yourself you’d wake up at 5 AM to work out, study two hours a day, or finally...
Almost every parent I meet tells me their child needs guidance with time management. Whether it’s from parents, teachers, coaches, or bosses, we’re told to be more productive...
Starting my own life coaching practice has brought me right back to the whirlwind of thoughts and feelings I used to get when preparing for a new semester, replaying mistakes from...
Self-love gets a lot of buzz, but it’s not always easy to put into practice. My inner voice is often my toughest critic, quick to replay mistakes or point out flaws. I like to...
Eleven years ago today, I lost my best friend Madison to suicide. Every year since, this date brings a flood of emotions: sadness, longing, and reflection. But more than anything...
Final exams. I’m a decade removed, but the thought sends a wave of stress and anxiety through my body. Whether you’re cramming for tests, writing papers, or juggling group...
I’m writing this as I taste test (I know exactly what it tastes like) my mom’s special stuffing the day before Thanksgiving. In just a few hours, I’ll be snuggling my cousin’s...
The holiday season is supposed to be full of joy, connection, and cheer. But let’s be real: sometimes, it’s more about juggling family expectations, managing tight schedules, and...
Growing up, if someone asked me to describe who I was, I'd probably say "athlete" first. Pursuing and then earning a roster spot as a power forward on the Princeton Women's...
We're doing it! Over the course of my 30 years, I’ve written essays, poems, thank you notes, reports, research papers, memos, proposals, strategies, emails (lots of emails), ads...