From the Gridiron to Growth: LaTanya Edenburghs Playbook for Life
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Stuck In My Mind Podcast, host Wize El Jefe sits down with LaTanya Edinburgh—a true trailblazer whose journey spans professional women’s football, empowerment coaching, and passionate advocacy for healing and growth. Together, they explore the unpredictable paths of life, the power of resilience, and what it really means to break barriers in both sports and society.
A Candid Start, A Powerful Conversation
Wize kicks off the episode admitting to a rare off day—lost notes and a late start—but LaTanya quickly sets the tone with compassion and grace, reminding us all to embrace life’s hiccups, breathe, and move forward with kindness toward ourselves and others. This natural and unfiltered beginning sets the stage for a discussion full of authenticity and deep insights.
LaTanya’s Football Journey: Pioneering on the Field
Listeners are treated to an inside look at LaTanya’s groundbreaking entry into professional women’s football at the turn of the millennium. Initially working behind the scenes in administration, her competitive spirit could not be contained—soon, she found herself donning full pads and taking the field. Her stories of playing full-contact football, choosing defense (“let me do the hitting!”), and traveling the country shed light on the challenges and triumphs of being a woman in a vastly male-dominated sport.
LaTanya reflects on being a pioneer during those early days—before widespread visibility or support for women in football existed. She discusses how her league overcame significant barriers simply through unbreakable team spirit, mutual support, and a shared belief that women belonged on that gridiron. Her pride in seeing the rise of women’s flag football and ongoing progress in women’s sports today is palpable, highlighting the impact of those foundational years.
From Athlete to Empowerment Coach: A Purposeful Pivot
The conversation then evolves beyond athletics. LaTanya shares that her calling to empower and uplift others began as a child, long before her football days. Today, she’s a multi-certified empowerment coach specializing in everything from therapeutic art to grief coaching. Her business, Illuminate Your Journey, is dedicated to helping youth, athletes, and adults heal from trauma, embrace personal growth, and step boldly into their purpose.
Through storytelling, LaTanya explains how she tailors her coaching—drawing from her various certifications and her intuitive gifts—to fit each client’s unique needs. Whether through art, life coaching, or grief work, her central mission remains the same: to guide people from loss to understanding so they can live with empowerment, purpose, and longevity.
Healing, Forgiveness, and Community Uplift
A critical theme in this episode is the role of healing and forgiveness. LaTanya delves deep into the concept of grief—not just related to death, but the “invisible griefs” that stem from unmet potential, transitions, or cultural and societal pressures. She passionately believes in creating safe spaces for people—especially in marginalized communities—to be vulnerable, seek support, and shed the stigma attached to therapy and emotional openness.
The conversation moves into broader community issues, touching on financial literacy, the importance of life insurance, and breaking generational cycles through knowledge and support. Both LaTanya and Wize share personal stories, from loss and hardship to finding hope and purpose, underscoring how critical it is to have honest conversations about mental wellness, money, and personal growth in the Black and Brown communities.
Women in Sports: Visibility, Equity, and the Road Ahead
As women’s sports like the WNBA reach record-breaking attendance and national attention, LaTanya reflects on what it means to finally see the “light shining” on female athletes. She dreams of a future where women receive not just recognition and fair compensation, but real support from across the spectrum—fans, families, and fellow athletes alike.
She’s candid about the double standards still present: how women are often labeled as having “an attitude” for displaying the same competitive drive admired in men, and how society must evolve to support women athletes (and women in general) without bias or belittlement.
Coaching Young Athletes: On and Off the Field
LaTanya brings her coach’s mentality into youth empowerment, describing her hands-on approach: meeting athletes where they are, speaking their language, and addressing the personal and practical barriers to their success. Her coaching philosophy is holistic, recognizing that athletes—especially young women—need more than just technical skills; they need tools to navigate transitions, build self-worth, and unlock their full potential at every stage of development.
Purpose, Passion, and Paying it Forward
As the episode moves toward a close, Wize and LaTanya reflect on the power of storytelling, self-publishing, and using your own journey to inspire others. The importance of community support, celebrating small wins, and uplifting one another runs throughout their discussion. They also discuss exciting future plans—including retreats, workshops, and continued collaboration within and beyond the podcast space.
The episode ends on a note of celebration and gratitude. Both host and guest underline the immense value of authenticity, vulnerability, and service. LaTanya gives listeners ways to connect with her and details her upcoming projects—children’s books and empowerment journals designed to help readers heal and grow.
Why Listen?
This episode is for anyone seeking inspiration—from athletes facing adversity, to anyone in pursuit of healing, personal growth, or a deeper sense of purpose. LaTanya Edinburgh’s story, combined with Wize’s honest reflections, offers a rare and moving blueprint for resilience, community uplift, and the transformative power of living your truth.
Whether you’re navigating your own setbacks, looking for wisdom on empowerment and mental health, or simply want to hear from a true pioneer in women’s sports, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Connect with LaTanya Edenburghs:
Visit her at IYRJ Coaching and follow her journey to illuminate your own path to success.
Listen now and let this conversation spark your next step—from the gridiron to growth, and everywhere in between!
