"You can't have 'amazing' without hard." It's the mantra Donna Lamar learned on the track and the leadership philosophy that's guided her entire career.

The former Texas Tech sprinter has built an award-winning creative and production career, leading teams at Spotify and Twitter while shaping campaigns for iconic brands like Nike and Gatorade. One of the biggest influences on her success? A winding journey as a student-athlete that took an unexpected turn.

In this week's conversation with Bonnie Bernstein, Donna explores how sports gave her the confidence to take risks, the resilience to reinvent herself, and the empathy to bring out the best in every colleague. Candidly reflecting on the end of her track career, she reveals why the moments that don't go according to plan often become the ones that shape us most.

Whether you're transitioning out of sports, navigating a career pivot, leading a team, or simply wondering if the hard work is worth it, this episode is your reminder that resilience isn't built when everything goes right, it's forged in the moments that challenge who you are.

Show Notes and Socials:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-lamar-0160875/
• https://www.instagram.com/donnamuses/
• https://x.com/StalkingMuses

Ad Campaigns Highlighted by Donna Lamar:

• First Wieden+Kennedy "Just Do It" - https://youtu.be/0yO7xLAGugQ?si=758xSS5qAVHIWngH
• W+K "If you let me play" - https://youtu.be/AQ_XSHpIbZE?si=i8KPV24Fe2m4pCjb
• The Secret Tournament: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN8kTFPhQTo

The Athlete Effect™ :

• instagram.com/the_athlete_effect
• tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect
• www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect

Bonnie Bernstein:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/
• twitter.com/BonnieBernstein
• instagram.com/BonnieBernstein

As a field hockey goalie at Babson College, Elissa Kalver knew every move she made... mattered. Little did she know then that an athlete mindset built on resilience, perseverance, and the ability to "control the controllables" would one day help her navigate profound loss, entrepreneurship, and a Stage 4 HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer diagnosis just days before her daughter's first birthday.

At Babson, Elissa refused to lower either her academic or competitive standards. When a torn ACL and a dislocated shoulder ended her playing career, she immediately sought a replacement for the adrenaline rush of athletic competition. She quickly found it: sales.

That same drive has powered every aspect of Elissa's life after college sports: a record-breaking run in financial services, a stint as a gym owner, the loss of her brother, her terminal breast cancer diagnosis and her mission to turn pain into purpose with her nonprofit WeGotThis.org, the first gift registry for cancer patients.

Elissa joins Bonnie Bernstein to discuss the athlete's instinct to push through pain, why that mindset can become dangerous when it comes to your health, and how her mission to help others has been such a meaningful part of her cancer journey. Elissa is an author, sought-after speaker, wife and mother thriving with cancer, inspiring others to find joy each day, even amidst challenges.

Whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, entrepreneur, or navigating cancer, this conversation explores athlete mindset, resilience, leadership, early detection, and the power of showing up when life doesn't go according to plan.

Connect with Elissa Kalver, Live Like it Matters and WeGotThis.Org

• https://www.instagram.com/elissakalver/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissakalver/
• https://www.youtube.com/@livelikeitmatterspod?si=99Cip0ECRoaxLmHN
• https://www.tiktok.com/@elissakalver
• https://www.instagram.com/wegotthisorg?utm_source=qr

The Athlete Effect™ :

• instagram.com/the_athlete_effect
• tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect
• www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect

Bonnie Bernstein:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/
• twitter.com/BonnieBernstein
• instagram.com/BonnieBernstein

NCAA sports aren’t the only path to executive leadership, just ask former Sun Bum CEO Cynthia Herrera.

Cynthia spent more than 20 years in executive sales and marketing roles at global consumer goods giant SC Johnson (think Windex, Pledge, Raid, and Method), including a six-year stint leading Sun Bum.

In this conversation with Bonnie Bernstein, she shares how her club volleyball experience at Western Michigan helped shape the leadership style that propelled her into the C-suite centered on communication, quick, clear decision-making, and building trust through inclusion.

With more than 2 million college club athletes in the U.S. each year, about four times the number of NCAA athletes, Cynthia’s story highlights an often-overlooked path beyond high school sports, where athletes can continue developing real-world skills that translate directly into career success.

But this episode goes beyond milestones. Cynthia opens up about vulnerability, imposter syndrome, and setting boundaries, and shares stories highlighting why the strongest teams are built on trust, honesty, and real human connection.

If you’re a student-athlete, or a parent of one, contemplating life after high school sports, this episode is for you. Especially if the NCAA route isn’t in the cards.

Follow Cynthia Herrera on...

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiamherrera/
• Instagram: @cmh929

The Athlete Effect™:

• instagram.com/the_athlete_effect
• tiktok.com/@theathleteeffect
• www.youtube.com/@TheAthleteEffect

Bonnie Bernstein:

• twitter.com/BonnieBernstein
• instagram.com/BonnieBernstein
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonnie-bernstein/