Let's get better.

Starting right now!

Right now is the best time. 

Girls everywhere are experiencing more stress and anxiety than ever before often resulting in self-doubt and lack of confidence, which impairs their self-image and wellness.

Cultural and societal pressures compound the challenges through pervasive social media, and young women are struggling with the stress of school, college selection process, and extra-curricular responsibilities.

Female athletes are also burdened by performance pressure and the stress of college recruiting. 

Brave programming enables female athletes to manage external and internal pressures in an increasingly difficult environment to support their performance and growth athletically, academically and emotionally.

The BOOM Lab! gathers lax girls together - in community and on a team - to acknowledge fear and activate bravery in order to improve their game and CRUSH their life!

Training Program

Camp locations and daily flow.

Each day is hosted on a different college campus, giving athletes exposure to multiple environments while building skills progressively.

DAY 1

St. Catherine University

2004 Randolph Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105

Develop foundation of confidence, establish teammate connections, and explore competitive awareness

DAY 2

Macalester College

1600 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105

Integrate fear and pressure into brave decision-making with repetitive practice performing under stress

DAY 3

Hamline University

1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104

Self-talk roots in identity work and translates to field play, leadership styles practiced, and joy is in the work

Coaching Staff

Our staff includes multiple former D1 players and coaches, many of whom are from nontraditional lacrosse-playing areas like Minnesota. We will practice at a high-intensity akin to the college pace, giving players a chance to build confidence.
Crista Samaras
Head Coach
Crista founded Brave in 2016 to research how athletes use fear. She's a 3x All-American and 2x Player of the Year at Princeton, played in two World Cup Championships (gold + silver), and was named USA Lacrosse's inaugural Legacy Award winner and was inducted into the USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2026.

Earlier, she founded and sold XTEAM, a national club program for girls from non-traditional lacrosse areas.

 

 

 

Jess Thornton
Mental Health
Jess Thornton was a 4-year starter and Defensive Player of the Year at James Madison. She spent over a decade coaching and mentoring young women across the country alongside Crista Samaras, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of connection in shaping confident, resilient leaders—on and off the field.
Jess is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is excited to return to Brave to continue empowering adolescents and teens as they step into their full potential. She lives in Chattanooga with her husband and three kiddos. 
Jasmine Henry
Camp Ops
Jasi Henry played lacrosse at Northwestern University and before that, for Crista on her club team. Jasi is our VP of Operations at Brave Enterprises, and lives in Ft. Lauderdale with her husband Tray, and their brand new baby Zion.
Jasi was formerly a college counselor with Command Education, specializing in developing executive function and entrepreneurial skillsets in teens.





 

 

Michele Ruth
College Specialist
Michele Ruth played and coached lacrosse and field hockey at Lehigh University. She coached New Zealand in the 2017 World Cup, and owns Barefoot Lacrosse, working with players from all over the US, Canada, NZ and England.

She is a chemical engineer and hydrogeologist, passionate about helping players find a great college fit, using her decades-long expertise as an industry-wide consultant to individuals and various organizations.

Michele lives and surfs in Florida, and is most likely barefoot. 



What you'll do + what you'll leave with

3 days is a lot of time to make a big difference in your own life. The camp will provide pro-risk environment that supports a choose-your-own-development adventure.
Improved Lax Skills

Stick skills to lax IQ, players will practice at pace and under pressure to level up

Mental Performance Tools

Acute focus on developing a fear management system for the field, social/peer life, and school

Big Brave Goal

Scaffolding of support and accountability for pursuit of meaningful goal beyond camp

Baseline Physical Metrics

Understanding of strength and stamina to determine pathway to increased fitness and capacity

Executive Functioning Tools

Professional behavior best practices (time management, follow up, eye contact, etc)  

Connection & Belonging

Real relationships built on personal truth and mutual, competitive appreciation

Leadership Literacy

Clear understanding and dynamic practice of best ways to self- and group-lead.

Joy & Hope

Sense of purpose and meaning in work that feels great within a high-expectation environment