Duke Coach Kara Lawson Inspires With Lessons on Handling Adversity

Lawson's viral speech on embracing challenges has resonated far beyond the basketball court.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Kara Lawson, the head coach of the Duke University women's basketball team, has gained attention for her inspiring leadership both on and off the court. A video of Lawson giving a speech to her players about the importance of learning to "handle hard stuff better" as life gets more challenging went viral, resonating with people far beyond the sports world who were dealing with their own difficulties. Lawson's journey to becoming an impactful coach was shaped by her time playing under legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, who saw Lawson's potential as a leader and encouraged her to develop her public speaking skills.

Why it matters

Lawson's message about embracing challenges and hardship rather than waiting for life to get easier has struck a chord, showing her ability to use her platform as a coach to make a meaningful impact on people's lives beyond just basketball. Her story highlights the importance of mentorship and developing leadership skills, as well as the power of vulnerable, authentic communication to build community.

The details

In a 2022 speech that went viral, Lawson told her Duke players, "We all wait in life for things to get easier. Most people think that it's going to get easier. Life is gonna get easier, basketball's gonna get easier, school's gonna get easier.... It never gets easier. What happens is you become someone that handles hard stuff better." This message sparked an outpouring of emails and letters from people who said Lawson's words had a profound impact on them during their own difficult life experiences. Lawson's journey to becoming an inspiring leader was shaped by her time playing under legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, who saw Lawson's potential and encouraged her to take a public speaking course to develop her communication skills.

  • Lawson gave the viral speech to her Duke players in 2022, two years into her tenure as head coach.
  • Lawson played under Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee earlier in her career.

The players

Kara Lawson

The head coach of the Duke University women's basketball team, known for her inspiring leadership both on and off the court.

Pat Summitt

The legendary women's basketball coach at the University of Tennessee, who saw Lawson's potential as a leader and encouraged her to develop her public speaking skills.

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What they’re saying

“We all wait in life for things to get easier. Most people think that it's going to get easier. Life is gonna get easier, basketball's gonna get easier, school's gonna get easier.... It never gets easier. What happens is you become someone that handles hard stuff better.”

— Kara Lawson, Head Coach, Duke University Women's Basketball

“Coach, I just wanted to tell you how much of an impact your speech had on me. I lost my mom three years ago and was in a bad place, and it woke me up.”

— Anonymous

What’s next

Lawson continues to use her platform as a coach to inspire and guide her players and the broader community, sharing her insights on embracing challenges and developing resilience.

The takeaway

Kara Lawson's story demonstrates the power of vulnerable, authentic leadership and the lasting impact coaches can have by using their platform to make a difference in people's lives beyond just sports. Her message about learning to "handle hard stuff better" has resonated widely, showing the universal human need for guidance and community during difficult times.