Episode #32

Rebecca Gunn

Episode Title:

Building Champions On and Off the Field: The Rebecca Gunn Coaching Journey

Episode Description:

In this powerful episode of Fanatical DreamHer, April Kemp sits down with 2024 NAIA National Champion and SCAD Women’s Soccer Head Coach, Rebecca Gunn. A lifelong athlete and passionate leader, Rebecca shares how her coaching journey began, the culture she built from the ground up at SCAD, and how she inspires high-performing student-athletes with values of accountability, grit, and heart.

From balancing family life with a demanding coaching schedule to empowering young women through self-talk and sport, Rebecca’s story is packed with wisdom for athletes, moms, coaches, and every woman chasing a big dream.

Key Discussion Points:

  • [02:06] Discovering her coaching path after college through mentorship and timing

  • [03:43] Reflecting on nearly two decades at SCAD and key milestones

  • [05:09] How culture, recruiting, and leadership development led to the 2024 National Championship

  • [06:53] Passion for soccer and how it fuels her daily work and mindset

  • [09:20] How coaching shaped her life and helped her grow through evolving generations

  • [11:27] Learning to lead from the sidelines and the power of training over tactics

  • [13:33] Teaching high-performance standards and accountability through team culture

  • [15:11] Navigating obstacles: job instability, early season losses, and perspective resets

  • [17:22] The self-talk that fuels her on hard days—and the same tools she teaches her team

  • [19:48] The emotional moment of pride before the national championship match

  • [21:55] Family support: husband, daughters, and parents who believed in her

  • [24:29] The constant grind of recruiting and finding the right team fit

  • [27:19] Why girls in sports go on to lead—and how coaches help shape confidence

  • [29:43] Favorite quote: “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may realize they were big things.”

  • [31:37] Why we need more female coaches—and her call to action for future leaders

  • [34:26] Final advice to girls: “Dream it. Do it. Try again. Keep going.”

Notable Quotes:

  • “Enjoy the little things—for one day you may look back and realize they were big things.”

  • “We need more women coaching. Be a mentor, build the culture, and make the impact.”

  • “If you’re going to coach soccer, you better have a passion for it.”

  • “You have to be willing to put yourself out there. It’s hard, but that’s how you grow.”

  • “Team comes first. Always.”

Takeaways:

  • Culture change begins with strong leadership and clear expectations

  • Confidence can be coached—but it starts with self-talk and visualization

  • Family support makes dream-chasing sustainable, especially for working moms

  • Sport is a launchpad for lifelong leadership and emotional resilience

  • Coaching is about building people, not just winning games

Connect with Guest:

• Website: SCAD Women’s Soccer
• Instagram: @scadwomenssoccer
• Email: womenssoccer@scad.edu

Connect with Us:

• Follow April Kemp on Instagram: @fanaticaldreamher
• Stay updated: https://www.fanaticaldreamher.com/
• Email April: april@fanaticaldreamher.com

Join the DreamHer Community:

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