Carolyn Peck: The Power of Positivity and Hope in Adversity
As we wrap this series celebrating International Women's Day this month, one person stands out for her incredible resilience, positivity, and unwavering hope—Carolyn Peck. Out of everything I learned from her, the most important lesson was how to remain positive and hopeful, even in the face of adversity.
Carolyn Peck is a trailblazer in women’s basketball. She made history as the first woman to lead a women’s NCAA Division I basketball team to a national championship, coaching the University of Purdueto victory in 1999. Her achievement was groundbreaking, and it demonstrated the power of believing in yourself and your team when the odds were stacked against you. Her ability to maintain positivity through adversity is a lesson I carry with me to this day.
During her career, Coach Peck faced challenges that would have derailed many others. From rebuilding a program to overcoming the pressures of high expectations, she always kept a positive outlook, which became contagious to her players. She believed that positivity breeds success, and that belief allowed her to inspire her teams, even when the going got tough.
What truly struck me about Coach Peck was her ability to keep hope alive, no matter how difficult the circumstances. She knew that setbacks were a part of the journey—whether it was losing key players or facing an opponent that seemed unbeatable—but she also knew that keeping the team’s spirits high and focused on the bigger picture was the key to overcoming those challenges. She always led with the mindset that you can’t control the obstacles, but you can control how you respond to them. Her optimism wasn’t about denying the tough times—it was about framing them as opportunities for growth.
Her resilience is reflected in her success as a coach: not only winning the national title at Purdue but also becoming an NCAA commentator and later the head coach of the Florida Gators, where I was fortunate enough to have been able to work under her leadership. In all of this, she continued to instill the values of hope and perseverance in all situations. Over her coaching career, Coach Peck earned a reputation as a coach who could turn adversity into motivation, and that mindset is something I’ve carried with me in my own career.
For me, the lesson was clear: No matter how tough the situation, positivity and hope are the tools you need to keep pushing forward. It’s easy to get discouraged when things aren’t going your way, but if you maintain a positive attitude, focus on solutions instead of problems, and encourage your team to do the same, you can overcome anything. Success isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about maintaining hope, even when the path forward isn’t immediately clear.
I’m incredibly grateful for Carolyn Peck’s mentorship and the lessons she taught me about leading with positivity. Through her example, I learned that staying hopeful in the face of adversity isn’t just a choice—it’s a mindset that makes all the difference.
Thank you for coming along this month as I've honored these incredible women. I wouldn't be here today without their profound impact on my life. Coming from a world of women's basketball, it's no surprise that my Winning Tools team is also made up of women -- and some really incredible ones at that. A huge thank you to Megan, Jess and Lacy for your hard work + encouragement as we endeavor to build something meaningful here!
Coach Mitchell
