[BONUS] A Year Lost and Found: Brittney Griner’s Story of Survival

2024-05-09

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For this special bonus episode, Jen talks with WNBA star, Brittney Griner, who shares her powerful story of resilience after she was wrongfully detained in Russian prisons for nearly a year. Brittney provides a heartbreaking firsthand account of the inhumane conditions she endured, from the lack of legal rights and translators to cruel psychological tactics by guards. She opens up about the pivotal role her faith played in giving her mental strength to survive.Brittney also discusses the ongoing trauma she has faced since returning home, and...

Brittney also discusses the ongoing trauma she has faced since returning home, and the renewed sense of motivation to use her voice and platform to advocate for other detainees abroad still seeking freedom.

Jen and Brittney discuss:

Griner's harrowing account of being imprisoned in Russia and how she’s fighting to get more US prisoners home
The pivotal role her faith and reading the Bible played in giving her strength to survive mentally and emotionally.
Her candid discussion of the ongoing trauma she's working through since returning to the U.S.
Her optimism about the WNBA's rising popularity to force meaningful change in addressing the glaring pay gap with men's basketball.

Thought-Provoking Quotes:

"My biggest fear was the fear of being forgotten." - Brittney Griner

"We feel like we're in control a lot in our everyday lives. But being over there, I was in a place where I needed help. I couldn't control anything. It was out of my hands. I had to rely on something, or I would have gone crazy...I would have Bible study on Sundays and I think that's what got me through, honestly." - Brittney Griner

"We need everybody to buy into [the WNBA]. We need to challenge companies to stop just checking a box and saying, 'Oh, we fight for equality. We had a month. We had some shirts.' That's a step. But we need you to put dollars down to make a difference." - Brittney Griner

Resources Mentioned in this Bonus Episode:

Caitlin Clark - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caitlin_Clark

“It Gets Better Project” - https://bit.ly/4al2EaZ

Coming Home by Brittney Griner - https://www.amazon.com/Coming-Home-Brittney-Griner/dp/0593801342

Guest Link:

Website - https://wearebg.org/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brittneyyevettegriner

Twitter - https://twitter.com/brittneygriner

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BrittneyGriner

Connect with Jen!

Jen’s website - http://jenhatmaker.com/

Jen’s Instagram - https://instagram.com/jenhatmaker