WEEK #47: STEPHANIE RUDNICK

 

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

 

Stephanie Rudnick is a mother, a writer, a motivational speaker, and the founding owner and co-director of Elite Camps, one of the largest basketball organizations of its kind in Canada, serving 6,000 athletes annually.

 

Stephanie played basketball for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. In her four years, the team captured two provincial titles and a silver medal at the 1996 Canadian National Championships. In her final year she was named an OUA All Star. Stephanie has also had international playing experience representing Canada at the 1997 Maccabi Games in Israel.

 

Stephanie’s passion for basketball is stronger than ever. Once a high-level player, she now helps athletes develop their on-court skills while ensuring that they, their parents, and their coaches all understand how the lessons learned from on-court experiences can prepare them for success in life.

 

Stephanie lives in Ontario with her husband, David, and their three young sons, all of whom have started their basketball journey.

Please share a story about an internal or external barrier you have faced.

 

Till the age of 14, I walked into rooms with my head hung low and my shoulders rounded because I was embarrassed of my height.

 

When I entered grade nine I was 5”11. My confidence was at an all time low as I was bullied all through grade 7 & 8 for being so tall and not fitting the “mould” of what other girls in my grade looked like.

 

When I took my first step into Vaughan Secondary School, I had no idea how that would change my life. Vaughan was a basketball school. And when I walked in on that first day of grade nine it seemed like everyone asked me if I was going to try out for the basketball team.

 

I had never touched a basketball.

 

Finally, after saying no a hundred times, I relented and said yes.

 

After the try-out I walked by the coaches and heard them say….”well you can’t teach height!”

 

It was the beginning of what would become my purpose in life.

 

I struggled in school. I always seemed to have to work twice as hard to get good grades compared to everyone else.

 

What I loved most about basketball was that I would put in the work and I would see improvement. I became obsessed with attaining results. Basketball empowered me to achieve greatness not because I had talent, but because I put in hard work.

 

It only took a few months, but I started to walk with my shoulders back and my head held high. In basketball height was a coveted trait.

 

The rest you can say is history.

 

How did you overcome that barrier? What skills did you develop in sport that helped you overcome your barrier? 

 

The barrier I overcame was low confidence. The number one skill I learned that year and something that has helped me create a thriving business was simple. The amount of work you put in is exactly the results you will get out. Confidence was built because of the hard work I put in and the results that came out.

 

If you had one word to describe your character, experiences or philosophy what would it be? Why?

 

RELENTLESS

 

A “relentless” person is someone who keeps trying and never gives up.

 

If you wanted to motivate a young female athlete to #BuildHerUp, what quote would you use? Why? 

 

“Crave the result so intensely that the work is irrelevant.” -Tim Grover

 

I love it because the amount of work you put in is entirely up to you. It does not take talent just work.

 

ELITE CAMPS:  https://elitecamps.com

 

STEPHANIE’S BOOK: http://www.lifesasport.ca/