The Power of Being Deaf to Doubt: Learning from Teresa Weatherspoon's Hall of Fame Wisdom

In the world of business, success often hinges not on what we hear, but on what we choose not to hear. This truth lies at the heart of a powerful story that resonates deeply with our mission at FeMetis, where we empower women entrepreneurs to reach unprecedented heights in their business journeys.

During her moving Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech, WNBA legend Teresa Weatherspoon shared a story that transcends sports – a story that captures the very essence of what we at FeMetis strive to instill in every woman entrepreneur we touch. As she stood on that prestigious stage, Weatherspoon didn't just tell a story about basketball; she delivered a powerful message about persistence, self-worth, and the art of being deaf to criticism.

Let me share with you this transformative story of three frogs – a tale that has become a beacon of inspiration for women in business everywhere.

Here is her full speech...

This is the story she told in that speech...

Three frogs fall into a deep hole of depression. At the top of this hole stand the critics, the doubters, the naysayers – those who have made it their mission to tell others what they cannot achieve. These "haters," as we often call them, peer down into the darkness, their voices echoing with discouragement as the frogs try to jump to the top of that hole to get out.

"It's impossible!" "Why don't you just stop trying?" "You don't have any value!" "You'll never make it to the top!"

The first frog, overwhelmed by these piercing words, succumbs to the pressure. The voices were too loud, too convincing, too persistent. Like many entrepreneurs who face their first major setback, this frog allowed external negativity to determine its fate.

Two frogs remained, still jumping, still fighting. Yet the voices continued their relentless assault. "You don't belong at the top!" they shouted. "Stop jumping! Join your friend who already gave up!" Soon, the second frog, too, surrendered to the weight of these words. The pressure proved too much to bear.

But the third frog? This frog kept jumping. Higher and higher, despite the chorus of negativity raining down from above. The critics grew more frustrated, more insistent: "Why won't you die off like the others? It's impossible! You're not worthy!"

Yet this frog continued, undeterred, focused solely on the goal ahead. And then, in one magnificent moment – boom! The frog reached the top, defying all expectations and leaving the critics speechless.

When they asked the frog how it managed to persist despite their discouragement, they discovered something remarkable: the frog was deaf.

At FeMetis, we're not just empowering entrepreneurs – we're breeding deaf frogs. Yes, you heard that right. We're proudly creating a new generation of unstoppable women who, like Weatherspoon's deaf frog, possess the extraordinary ability to tune out the noise and focus on their ascent. When someone says, "FeMetis breeds deaf frogs," we wear that badge with honor, because it means we're developing leaders who:

• Jump higher when others say the ceiling is too low
• Leap further when critics claim the gap is too wide
• Push harder when naysayers insist it's time to quit
• Reach longer when doubters say it's beyond their grasp
• Persist stronger when the world suggests they should settle

Just as Teresa Weatherspoon's story resonated through the halls of basketball greatness, we envision a day when someone will stand on a different stage – perhaps accepting a Business Leader of the Year award or giving a keynote at a global entrepreneurship summit – and proudly declare: "I was a FeMetis frog. They taught me to be deaf to the impossible. They showed me how to jump out of any hole. They helped me transform my business, and now I'm here."

We're not just helping women navigate the business world; we're revolutionizing how they perceive challenges. In the spirit of Weatherspoon's powerful narrative, FeMetis is creating an army of deaf frogs – entrepreneurs who aren't just surviving but thriving, who aren't just reaching the top but redefining what the top looks like.

Your journey might start in what feels like a deep hole, surrounded by voices telling you what you can't achieve. But remember: FeMetis is here to help you develop that superpower – that ability to be deaf to the doubt while being acutely tuned in to your own potential and worth.

To every woman entrepreneur reading this: You are that third frog. You have the power to keep jumping when others fall away. You have the strength to be deaf to the limitations others try to impose. And with FeMetis by your side, you have a community that believes in your ability to reach heights others deem impossible.

As Teresa Weatherspoon inspired millions with her story at the Basketball Hall of Fame, we at FeMetis are creating our own legacy of inspiration. We're building a community of deaf frogs who jump higher, go longer, reach further, and push harder. Because that's what FeMetis frogs do – we turn "impossible" into "achieved" and transform doubters into witnesses of our success.

Remember: When you join FeMetis, you're not just joining a business community – you're becoming part of a movement of deaf frogs who refuse to let any hole be too deep or any goal be too high. Keep jumping. Your breakthrough awaits.