Billie Jean King- Tennis Legend and Equality TRAILBLAZER Talks the Importance of Authenticity, How to Define Success, and Reflections on the PWHL

Today I talked with Billie Jean King!! Billie needs no introduction because she is iconic, but I want to highlight some of her incredible contributions to begin this episode. I kept this talk longer than my other episodes because Billie has so much knowledge to share! Billie has 39-time Grand Slam titles, 20 career victories at Wimbledon, and is a former world No. 1 tennis player. In 1970, she was one of nine players who broke away and signed $1 contracts making their own tour called the Virginia Slims Circuit in protest against the inequity in prize money awarded between men and women at that time. She used her position to create the Women's Tennis Association in 1973 and lobbied for equal prize money at the US Open.   90 Million people watched Billie Jean King play Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes, which she won in three straight sets. This was a landmark victory for women everywhere and is the most-viewed tennis match ever. Billie also co-founded the World Team Tennis coed circuit and started the Women's Sports Foundation. In 1990 Life magazine named King one of the 100 most important Americans of the twentieth century. She is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and in 2009 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by Barack Obama. With her partner Ilana Kloss, she founded the Billie Jean King Foundation, which works to support the next generation of game-changing leaders in sports, education, and activism. Billie and Illana have now been together for 43 years! Billie Jean King is more excited than ever, her most recent venture is, of course, the PWHL which was wildly successful in its first year. She and Ilana are both members of the advisory board, and we discuss the league's origins in this episode. Billie is an unbelievable figure whose impact transcends the tennis court. She continues to positively impact millions of people and makes a difference in fighting for equality, LGBTQ rights, and more. It was an incredible honor to speak with her and I am so excited for you to hear this episode! Connect with Billie on Instagram @billiejeanking * * * FOUR MINUTES WITH FIONA PODCAST A four-minute podcast with athletes, entrepreneurs, and high achievers. Instagram @fourminuteswfiona @fionahatton7 X @FourMinutesPod Hosted by Fiona Hatton.