Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Burke.
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. I started playing softball when I was seven because my older sister Shawna played. My coach when I was seven was Mike White, who was my coach at Oregon and is currently my coach at Texas. I’ve always loved posting on social media as a way to connect with family and friends, but never realized the power of social media until recently. September 2020, I posted my first TikTok with my friend Mary Iakopo which got over a million views! From then I continued to share my life and my passions online.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a female student-athlete comes with challenges, but add social media on top of that and it gets interesting. My intention when I first began posting wasn’t to become an “influencer.” As my page grew, I felt overwhelmed with this new responsibility I held. I want to set a good example and stay positive for the young kids who follow me. But it can be difficult to hold my tongue due to the chaos in comment sections and opinions from strangers.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a softball player at the University of Texas but I am often known as being a “tiktoker.” As soon as a student-athlete steps onto The University of Texas campus, they have a platform. I choose to use my platform to grow the game I love, share my passions, and positively influence young girls to chase after their dreams.
Sharing your life online is not easy, but I am proud of myself for being vulnerable online. Throughout women’s history month, I had the privilege of working with some incredible brands that supported female student-athletes. These companies encouraged me to speak about women’s equity and share my passion about leveling the playing field for men and women in college athletics. My hope is that I can help pave the way for younger girls to have even more opportunities than we do today.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I remember the day we found out our season was canceled due to Covid-19. We went from being ranked #1 in the country to suddenly not knowing what the next day would hold. It was heartbreaking. But reflecting back, I have realized how much I have grown because of it. I learned to appreciate every moment (even 6am weights), live in the present moment, and even learned a ton of wellness tips. Covid led to so much uncertainty which taught me to become adaptable.
Contact Info:
- Email: laurenburke275@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.laurenburkesoftballcamp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenburke5/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauren_burke5
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenburke00?lang=en
