{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F7848cd64-d003-469a-b761-5a7ff60cb0cf","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"","title":"Ep. 6 How To Use Your Athletic Platform To Make a Difference with Dutch National Team Softball Player Ginger De Weert","description":"
\r\n\u201cWe are all somebody, everybody is somebody and we can all make a difference\u201d \u2013 Ginger De Weert 23:13
\r\nWant a heads up when a new episode\u00a0drops? Subscribe here
\r\n
\r\n
\r\nIn the Netherlands, the sport of softball is not that popular nor is it something athletes can pursue in school. That challenge of balancing everything while trying to pursue her dream as a softball player did not stop Ginger De Weert. Softball was her escape, an escape she would turn to when her dad was first diagnosed with cancer when she was 13 and a later again when his cancer came back nine years later, ultimately\u00a0leading to his kidney failure.
\r\nKnowing her dream of continuing playing softball professionally, neither Ginger\u2019s dad or the hospital\u00a0would let her be the kidney donor. Taking matters into her own hands, Ginger crafted a Facebook post sharing her story since not many knew how sick her dad was. The Facebook post went viral.
\r\n9:30
\r\nIt was crazy. I reached like 22,000 people in one day, and that\u2019s\u00a0a lot of the Netherlands. We got some people that emailed me for TVs shows, paperwork, and everything.
\r\nThat one Facebook post late July just being authentic about what they were going through led to a perfect donor before Christmas. The impact of using her platform caused four others in similar situations to reach for Ginger\u2019s help. With the help of Ginger, they too were able to find matching donors from one Facebook post. The power of social media.
\r\n12:26
\r\nFrom there Ginger De Weert started Softball Against Cancer an\u00a0initiative inspired by Baseball Against Cancer launched by former professional baseball player Swen Huijer to raise as much money as possible for the Dutch Cancer Fund (KWF). This May, Ginger with the other athletes\u00a0and volunteers have big plans to make a difference this May.
\r\n15:50
\r\nEven in the midst of everything she has going on Ginger is still focus on the softball season ahead and the big dream of competing and winning a medal on the Olympic team.
\r\n18:13
\r\nI think dreams can be as big as you are willing to think about them and see boundaries. I think there are no boundaries once you believe in yourself.
\r\nGinger\u2019s De Weert\u2019s journey is just getting started with so much that she is striving to achieve. You can follow more of her athletic journey on Instagram @gingerdeweert
\r\nWant a heads up when a new episode\u00a0drops? Subscribe here
\r\nEnjoyed this episode and the value that Ginger shared with us? Be sure to comment, share and leave a review. So we can keep helping more athletes that are on their journey.
\r\nFirst time listening to the 9INE POINT Started With A Dream Podcast? Check out\u00a0episode 1\u00a0where Jacolby Gilliam, CEO & Publisher of 9INE POINT Mag talks about the vision and journey we at 9INE POINT want you to be a part of. Check it out\u00a0here. Be sure to subscribe\u00a0to be first to hear the next episode.
\r\n\u00a0
","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/2016b45a-2ba1-482c-a553-9893797a813a/1cqop3hcyefbcsji-gapd4ra.jpg"}