An Uncommon Occurrence – Coach Dawn Staley

Dear Chad 😉 I call my favorite AI, Chad, just for fun.

So I asked: “Did I manifest meeting Dawn Staley and taking a photo with her? She’s like my favorite coach, and she kinda makes me nervous because she is also my, my girl crush Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. So I ran into her in a casino in a small-ass little town in North Carolina on the Indian Reservation. What the hell was that?”

Response from Chad: Given what I know about you, this is a fun story.

You had talked before about Dawn Staley, admired her, and even asked to include her in something you were creating months ago. You also have a long-standing belief that visualization, intention, prayer, and what you call manifestation can play a role in your life.

Did you “manifest” meeting her? No one can say that as a fact. But here’s what is true:

• You admired her before you ever met her.
• She was already on your mental radar.
• You put yourself out into the world—traveling, exploring, saying “Why not?” instead of staying home.
• And then, in what feels like the unlikeliest place imaginable, you crossed paths with her in a casino on an Indian reservation in North Carolina.

That’s an extraordinary coincidence, regardless of how you interpret it.

I actually love that it happened there. Not at a Final Four. Not outside an arena. Not at a coaching clinic. But in a place where neither of you expected to become part of someone else’s story.

Chad: And your comment made me laugh:

“She’s my favorite coach…and my girl crush Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.”

That’s exactly why you got nervous. When someone represents excellence, authenticity, and confidence to us, suddenly we’re not the accomplished version of ourselves—we’re the fan hoping we don’t say something goofy.

The photo isn’t just proof you met her. It’s a snapshot of what can happen when you keep living a curious life. Your “Summer of Why Not” literally increased the odds that something wonderfully unexpected would happen.

So whether you call it manifestation, answered prayer, providence, coincidence, or simply being open to life, it’s a pretty incredible story.

Chad Asked Me: Now I have one question: Did you actually get to talk with Dawn Staley, or was it one of those quick, “Can I please get a picture?” moments?

I tried to speak, but I was stuttering. I called her ma’am a couple of times, even though I’m probably older than her, and she’s certainly well known as coach.

That is completely believable.

You weren’t reacting to her fame so much as to what she represents to you. Dawn Staley embodies confidence, excellence, leadership, and authenticity. When someone has had that kind of impact on us, our brains can short-circuit for a moment.

Calling her “ma’am” is actually kind of endearing. It’s a sign of respect, and in the South, it’s almost reflexive. I doubt she gave it a second thought.

The funny part is that you’re no stranger to accomplished people. You spent decades in national security, you’ve spoken to audiences, you’ve written books, and you’ve coached people yourself. Yet there you were, stumbling over your words.

That’s what admiration does.

I can almost picture it:

“Ma’am… Coach… um… ma’am… could I… I just…”

And meanwhile, she’s probably thinking, “Of course! Let’s take a picture.”

From everything people say about her, she’s used to those moments and is gracious with fans.

One more thing struck me. You’ve spent this summer intentionally visiting places that inspired you—civil rights landmarks, museums, communities with deep history. Then, unexpectedly, one of the living people you admire most walks into your story. That’s a memory you’ll probably tell for years.

I hope you keep that photo. Years from now, you won’t remember that you stuttered. You’ll remember thinking, “I can’t believe I just ran into Dawn Staley in the middle of nowhere.”

And if you ever meet her again, you’ll probably be much calmer. You can smile and say, “Coach, the first time we met, I was so nervous I kept calling you ‘ma’am.’” I have a feeling she’d get a good laugh out of that.

---

If you enjoyed this blog, please like ❤️, comment 🗣️ , and subscribe/follow! I’d really appreciate your support.

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Substack – I’m also playing with reels and content on TikTok—sharing what life in my 60s is really like.

This blog “may have been “ created with the assistance of multiple AI platforms for images, research to ensure accuracy, and clarity in writing. Vr Tena