
The Athlete's Lens
E11 | How Sport Built an Entrepreneur: Corporate to SLB Founder with Meredith Hudson
Most female athletes encounter a messy backpack, but Meredith Hudson decided to change the game… literally. With zero background in retail or entrepreneurship, she drew on her sports discipline and never-give-up mindset to create SLB, a brand that's transforming gear into community. Meredith’s journey from Yale field hockey, through corporate roles at Google and Snapchat, to full-time entrepreneur reveals the surprising parallels between sports risk-taking and her success in building a business. Her story explores how the mental skills gained in athletics, such as discipline, coachability, and resilience, are the keys to thriving after sport, in every area of life. She breaks down the profound lessons sports taught her, from taking risks, embracing and seeking discomfort, to failing. From trying to launch a virtual coaching business to creating a product that’s now beloved by thousands, Meredith shares her mindset of seeing setbacks as little stepping stones. Meredith's transition out of sports was a challenge for different reasons than most. A scary Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis stopped her in her tracks but she credits the things she learned in sports for her fight to overcome and, 6 months post-remission, get on the line to run her first marathon. She constantly proves that it’s the hard that makes it great. This episode dives into concepts like consistency, accountability, and community, showing how sports instill core skills like discipline, purpose, and authenticity that resonate at every stage of your career. Meredith vividly illustrates how the mental toughness learned on the field becomes a superpower for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone chasing their next chapter. Whether you’re looking for motivational stories, practical advice on risk-taking, or insights into building a meaningful community, Meredith’s journey highlights resilience, purpose, and innovation. Don’t miss Meredith's inspiring lessons on how sports teach us to show up, adapt, and thrive in the toughest moments. Instagram: @meredithhuds and @getsld Get your own sideline bag today: https://getslb.co/ If you’re interested or know someone whose perspective could inspire and benefit other athletes, fill out the link: https://forms.gle/6NSRwQsGc1wJYvpr5

