Community Highlights: Meet Stacey Rivera of She Golfs Atl

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Rivera.

Hi Stacey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey with She Golfs ATL started from a very personal place. Like many women, I was balancing a demanding career, family responsibilities, community commitments, and the constant pressure that comes with being a leader. I was always pouring into everyone else but rarely making time for myself.

When I was introduced to golf, I initially saw it as an opportunity to learn something new. What I didn’t expect was how quickly the game would impact my mental well-being. Being outdoors, surrounded by nature, forced me to slow down. For a few hours, I wasn’t focused on work deadlines, responsibilities, or stress. I was present. Golf gave me a sense of peace, clarity, and mental stillness that I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

As I continued playing, I started noticing something else. Many of the women I met on the course were also professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders carrying significant responsibilities in their personal and professional lives. We shared similar experiences of stress, burnout, and the challenge of finding time for ourselves.

That’s when the vision for She Golfs ATL was born. I realized golf could be much more than a sport…it could be a vehicle for mental wellness, personal growth, confidence building, and meaningful connection. I wanted to create a community where women could step away from the demands of everyday life, spend time in nature, learn a new skill, build confidence, and connect with other women who understood their journey.

Today, She Golfs ATL is more than a golf organization. It’s a community dedicated to supporting women’s mental health and well-being through golf. We create spaces where women can network, build friendships, develop leadership skills, and prioritize themselves without guilt. What started as my personal search for peace has grown into a movement that empowers women to invest in their own wellness while building a supportive sisterhood along the way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has reinforced why this work is so important.

One of the biggest struggles was building something from the ground up while balancing a full-time leadership career, family responsibilities, and my own personal wellness. As women, we often wear so many hats, and there were times when I questioned whether I had the time, energy, or resources to continue growing the organization.

Another challenge was helping women overcome the fear and intimidation that often comes with golf. Many women were interested but felt they weren’t good enough, didn’t know the rules, or felt uncomfortable entering what has traditionally been a male-dominated sport. Part of our mission became creating a judgment-free environment where women could learn, ask questions, make mistakes, and grow their confidence together.

There were also the typical challenges of running a nonprofit and community organization—fundraising, securing partnerships, organizing events, managing growth, and ensuring we stayed true to our mission while serving an increasing number of women.

Perhaps the biggest lesson has been understanding that building a community is about consistency and trust. Growth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes showing up, listening to people, creating meaningful experiences, and staying committed even when things don’t go as planned.

The beautiful part is that every challenge has been outweighed by the impact. When a woman tells me that She Golfs ATL helped her reduce stress, build confidence, make new friends, or simply prioritize herself again, it reminds me exactly why I started this journey. Those moments make every obstacle worth it.

As you know, we’re big fans of She Golfs Atl. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
She Golfs ATL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women’s mental health and well-being through the game of golf. While many people see golf as simply a sport, we see it as a powerful tool for personal growth, confidence building, leadership development, networking, and creating meaningful connections among women.

What makes She Golfs ATL unique is that we don’t just introduce women to golf—we help them become golfers. We are deeply committed to education, skill development, and creating opportunities for women to gain real experience on the course. Many organizations host occasional social events, but our focus is on helping women build confidence through consistent learning and play.

One thing we’re especially proud of is how active our members are in the local golf community. Our women regularly participate in local tournaments, charity golf events, and competitive outings throughout the Atlanta area. We encourage our members to get out of their comfort zones, represent themselves with confidence, and experience all aspects of the game.

We also recognized that many beginners needed a supportive environment to continue developing their skills after taking an introductory lesson. That’s why we created our own beginner-friendly golf league. Our league provides a structured pathway for women to continue learning, practicing course management, understanding golf etiquette, improving their skills, and building confidence through actual play. We believe the best way to learn golf is by playing golf, and our league creates a safe, welcoming space for women to do exactly that.

What sets us apart is our combination of community, accountability, and purpose. We are intentional about creating an environment where women feel supported both on and off the course. Our members range from professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to women simply looking for a new hobby and a supportive network. Regardless of their background or skill level, every woman is welcomed and encouraged to grow at her own pace.

Brand-wise, what makes me most proud is seeing the sisterhood that has developed within She Golfs ATL. Women are not only learning golf; they are building friendships, supporting one another’s careers, prioritizing their mental wellness, and creating a community that extends far beyond the golf course.

I want readers to know that She Golfs ATL is about much more than golf. It’s about giving women permission to invest in themselves. It’s about finding peace, confidence, connection, and joy while learning a game that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Whether a woman has never picked up a golf club or is ready to compete in tournaments, we provide a space where she can learn, grow, and thrive alongside other women who are on a similar journey.

How do you define success?
I define success differently than I did earlier in life. While accomplishments, career growth, and achieving goals are important, I’ve learned that true success is being able to navigate both life’s adversities and its victories with grace, resilience, and a sound nervous system.

Success isn’t the absence of challenges—it’s how you respond to them. It’s maintaining your peace when things don’t go according to plan, staying grounded during difficult seasons, and not losing yourself in the pursuit of achievement. It’s having the emotional capacity to handle setbacks without being consumed by them and celebrating accomplishments without tying your entire identity to them.

For me, success is also having the freedom to prioritize my well-being, nurture meaningful relationships, and create a life that aligns with my values. It’s being able to pour into others without completely depleting myself in the process.

Through golf and the work we do at She Golfs ATL, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of slowing down, being present, and building practices that support mental and emotional wellness. Just like on the golf course, life will always present challenges, unexpected obstacles, and moments that test your patience. Success is having the confidence, self-awareness, and inner peace to keep moving forward regardless of the outcome.

At this stage of my life, I believe success is not measured solely by what you achieve, but by how well you are able to enjoy the journey while protecting your peace along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.shegolfsatl.org
• Instagram: Shegolfsatl
• Facebook: Shegolfsatl
• LinkedIn: Shegolfsatl