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Welcome to Smart, Amazing Conversations with Dr. Nancy, a podcast that explores the stories of life and leadership from extraordinary women – and men – who are making a difference and creating a better world. Each episode features powerful conversations filled with personal stories, insights, and actionable advice to inspire you to lead, learn, and make a difference.
Show Notes:
Dr. Nancy welcomes Tracy Evans-Land, a three-time Olympian and freestyle skiing pioneer, to share her inspiring journey from the slopes to creating change. As the founder of Kids Play International, she promotes gender equity and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect by using sports to inspire and heal post-genocide communities. Evans-Land also discusses her work as a casting director with AthleteSource CASTING, connecting athletes to opportunities in the media. From groundbreaking achievements to being named an Olympian for Life, her story demonstrates how the relentless pursuit of excellence can be transformative when used in service of others.
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About Tracy Evans-Land:
Tracy Evans-Land, a three-time Olympian and freestyle skiing pioneer, has achieved greatness both on and off the slopes. As the founder of Kids Play International, she promotes gender equity and Olympic values in post-genocide communities through innovative sports programs like Let’s Play Fair. Her efforts empower youth with skills, confidence, and opportunities for brighter futures. Beyond her nonprofit work, Evans-Land owns AthleteSource CASTING, connecting athletes to media opportunities. Recognized as an Olympian for Life by the IOC, her accolades include the Rings of Gold award and numerous honors for her impactful contributions to sports and society.
Timestamp:
[00:03:35] Family & Early Influences
Evans-Land shares how her parents’ values of equality, rural upbringing, and family travel exposed her to different cultures. Reluctant to be a freestyle aerialist like her brother, she initially pursued horses and gymnastics.
[00:06:39] Pivot to Freestyle Skiing
After two years with limited sports options at Florida State, Evans-Land took a break from school and trained with her brother’s ski team in Winter Park, Colorado to see if she liked it..
[00:09:49] Athlete Mindset
Guided by her father’s values, which did not allow “can’t” in her vocabulary, Evans-Land persevered and embraced structured training, turning obstacles into opportunities for learning.
[00:12:26] Rwanda & Kids Play International
A trip to Rwanda to volunteer, encouraged by her mother, revealed the resilience and ability to forgive and move on in post-genocide communities. Partnering with local leaders, she launched Kids Play International to promote the belief that all people should have the chance to succeed and become champions in their lives.
[00:18:00] Impact & Growth
Evans-Land explains how unfamiliar sports foster gender equality, communication, teamwork, and leadership. Programs like Let’s Play Fair and All Girls United address community needs, including trauma and life skills.
[00:21:32] Three Core Programs
The Let’s Play Fair Program is a mixed-gender after-school program. Girls United delves deeper into women’s topics, while Play Fair Community Day allows kids in the Let’s Play Fair program to share the lesson of the week with children not in the program.
[00:27:24] Alumni Success Stories
Evans-Land highlights alumni like Honoring, a disruptive seven-year-old who transitioned from failing to 80% passing in one year, later became a mentor and junior coach, and is now an accountant.
[00:32:46] Challenges & Vision
Evans-Land discusses building local leadership to run programs internally and plans to share their curriculum with other organizations on a global scale.
[00:38:43] Collaboration & Support
Evans-Land invites listeners to get involved through volunteering, donating, or sponsoring players and welcomes being contacted at info@kidsplayintl.org.