It’s a common belief that sports careers for women are limited to sidelining or journalism. 

However, the reality is far more promising, diverse, and inclusive—with the right support.

This week Larry Sprung sits down with Meghan O’Donnell, co-founder of empowHERed, to explore her unexpected entrepreneurial journey from working at ESPN to launching a movement that’s transforming opportunities for women in sports. Meghan shares her personal experiences with workplace challenges and how they fueled her mission to create a supportive community for women. Gain valuable insights into the power of mentorship, the importance of Mental Health, and strategies for navigating a career in sports!

Larry and Meghan discuss: 

• Meghan’s career path from ESPN to co-founding empowHERed.
• The challenges she faced as a woman in the sports industry.
• The role of mental health in workplace satisfaction and longevity.
• empowHERed’s mission and future goals to support women in sports.
• And more!

Resources:

• Mitlin Financial  
• The JOY and Productivity Journal

Connect with Larry Sprung: 

• LinkedIn: Larry Sprung
• Instagram: Larry Sprung
• Facebook: Larry Sprung
• X (Twitter): Larry Sprung

 Connect with Meghan O’Donnell: 

• LinkedIn: Meghan O’Donnell
• Email: modonnell@myempowhered.com
• myempowHERed.com 
• Instagram: empowHERed
• LinkedIn: empowHERed
• TikTok: empowHERed

About Meghan O’Donnell:

Meghan is a sports analytics and communications professional with experience working for ESPN’s Statistics and Information Group, College GameDay, and the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2022, she launched Character Plus Consulting, a draft analytics company working with professional teams and athletes.

After experiencing sexism and harassment in the industry, Meghan has become an advocate for women in sport and contributed to multiple studies on the topic, including, “A vicious cycle: Women’s experiences with hostile work environments in the professional sports industry” and “Scarcity and queen bee syndrome: Women’s role in creating and maintaining toxic work environments in sport organizations”.

In an effort to change the narrative, she and Samantha launched empowHERed as a way to provide much-needed guidance and mentorship to young women in sports.

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Larry Sprung Host Mitlin

Lawrence “Larry” Sprung, CFP® is a husband, father, entrepreneur and mental health advocate.

Larry is the author of the Amazon Bestselling book “Financial Planning Made Personal” and the also host of the Mitlin Money Mindset™ a podcast that reminds you to ask yourself “What did you do today that brought you joy?®”

In 2004 he founded Mitlin Financial, Inc. naming the firm memory of Larry’s wife’s grandfather, Mitchell, and his mother, Linda. During his career, Larry has found that a lot of industry terms and concepts can seem confusing to outsiders. That’s why he works with the families he serves to break down complex financial topics into easy-to-understand concepts.

In recognition of Larry’s significant contributions to his profession, he has received quite a few awards. In 2021, Larry was named to the Investopedia 100 Top Advisors in 2021 and was even more humbled to make their Top Ten list for 2022.

Outside the office, one of Larry’s greatest passions is raising awareness for mental health. He spent over 12 years serving on the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and sits on its financial and investment committees. With his wife, Denise, he has raised more than $1.7 million for the organization through the Keith Milano Memorial Fund. The fund was created in memory of his brother-in-law.

Larry values his family tremendously and his desire to do right by his wife and two sons drives who he is in and out of the office.