Stronger Together: The Power of Connection, Community, and Athletes Who Lead
Sports have always been more than a game to me — they’ve shaped who I am. In my Argentine family, soccer wasn’t just a pastime; it was a shared language and tradition. From soccer fields to pickleball courts to coaching younger players, sports taught me confidence, teamwork, and connection.
Pickleball gave me an early opportunity to play, have fun, and grow alongside people of all ages and levels. I loved the mix of competition and community—the way you could push yourself while still laughing, learning, and connecting. It showed me that sports are at their best when they bring people together.
That same spirit was what made this summer so meaningful. Through Athlete's Activating Champions & Empowerment (AACE)'s partnership with the APP Academy summer semester, we were able to bring the AACE mission directly to the courts—helping young pickleball players build confidence, learn teamwork, and connect through mentorship and play. Seeing how quickly the younger players embraced not just the sport but the values of inclusion, resilience, and encouragement reminded me why AACE exists. The experience showed the power of collaboration and how organizations like APP and AACE can come together to make an impact that goes far beyond competition.
That sense of connection inspired me to start AACE. Born out of gratitude, AACE is built on the belief that leadership is learned through service. Everything I know about resilience and teamwork came from others—coaches who pushed me, athletes who modeled leadership, and friends who showed up. Not everyone has that kind of support, and AACE exists to make sure every kid knows what it feels like to be seen, encouraged, and believed in.
Sometimes—and not just sometimes, often—kids don’t recognize that we have what it takes to make changes in other people’s lives. There’s a leader in each of us, and it often shows up most when we use our own personal experiences to help others. Leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being honest and using that honesty to lift others up.
At AACE, we focus on more than skill—we focus on how we show up. Whether playing on a team, competing in a tournament, or just showing up to practice, our mindset matters. How we treat others, handle setbacks, and take care of ourselves are all part of the game.
Our brains can be our biggest superpower—or our biggest obstacle. They can help us focus and perform, or get in our way with doubt and pressure. Learning to understand and care for our minds is just as important as training our bodies. The better we know ourselves, the better we can show up for others.
That’s what AACE is about: creating spaces where athletes can talk openly about mindset, resilience, and self-awareness—on and off the court. When we learn from others who’ve walked in our shoes, we start to see both the opportunities ahead and the blind spots we might not notice. Every time we talk about these things, we make our generation—and the next one—healthier, stronger, and better prepared to lead.
What We Do:
- Host monthly Zoom sessions with athletes and professionals on mindset and leadership
- Partner with schools in under-resourced communities to provide consistent mentoring
- Offer leadership opportunities for ambassadors to grow as they serve
- Create safe spaces where kids can connect, learn, and build confidence
AACE is a nonprofit made up of athletes, mentors, and students who believe leadership starts with showing up. We’re not just here to play—we’re here to make a difference.
Learn more here. Are you an athlete who wants to connect, grow, and give back? Join us. Want to mentor others? We’d love to have you. Together, we can help each other become not just better athletes—but stronger, more aware, and more connected people.
Join us at the next AACE Zoom to keep the conversation going about leadership, mindset, and what it means to show up for each other and those who haven’t found their person yet—on and off the court.