Hello! My name is Natalie Luna and I play softball at California Lutheran University. As a college athlete, you will face adversity, not only in the game itself, but with your team. There are so many different personalities and backgrounds on a team so it's important to get to know each other because I believe chemistry goes a long way. A team could have the most talented players on the planet, but if you don't have that connection and trust with each other, it won't work. I tend to be a leader in the world of softball, school, and personal life. I want nothing more than to see my team succeed, whether it's my teammates, family, or friends. I am the oldest in my family and I love it. I used to think it was a lot of pressure because my siblings are looking up to me and I am expected to do everything right, but thats not possible. I learned that sometimes there is no right decision, so if I make one that doesn't have a good outcome I will take accountability, own my mistake, and learn from it. We can't learn and grow if we don't make mistakes. I took on the role of a leader my sophomore year of college and that was a bit intimidating because it was only my second year, but someone had to step up. At first, I learned that I was too nice and in college sports the goal is to win; for my team, we were going to need some tough love. My junior year, my coach signed me up for the NCAA Student Athlete Leadership Forum in Texas and that experience enhanced my leadership skills in more ways I can think of. It taught me that a leader does not have to be the best player on the team. A leader has emotional intelligence and gets to know their teammates' strengths and weaknesses. A leader helps their team reach their goal, helping themselves and others turn their weaknesses into strengths. A leader could be the starting second baseman or the loudest person on the bench. Everyone has a role on their team and some may not see that at first, but as a leader it is my job to make sure everyone knows their role. Softball is a game of failure. I will fail more times than I succeed. It is almost guaranteed that I will make a mistake, but I need to have the memory of a goldfish. I've learned as a leader that when I make an error, I learn from it and let it go. If I hold on to that mistake it will create a domino effect within my team. Being a leader means that I know I won't always be in the spotlight and that is okay. Different people are going to step up which is so amazing to see. It's not about just one person, I play a team sport so if that means I have to sit the bench because I went 0 for 4 and coach is giving someone else that opportunity then that's what's going to happen. I will go up to my teammate and let her know what the pitcher's been throwing and make sure she knows I'm her biggest cheerleader. We do what's best for the team even when we might not like it personally. That's being a leader. That is how the glue sticks and spreads to every person on that team. Softball has shaped me into the person I am today. I will be forever grateful.