Today we’d like to introduce you to Britt Hunter.
Hi Britt, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hailing from the great state of Ohio (O-H-…!) I was once the #1 women’s basketball player in the country at the age of 17. I played at both Duke and UConn, which leads people to ask “Did you win a National Championship?”, and the answer is unfortunately no, but I can say that I only had 8 losses in my entire 4 years at UConn so I think that’s pretty impressive! Sadly, my career came to and end my freshman year with a career-ending injury that changed everything. In that moment, what I thought was the end turned out to be the beginning of something much bigger.
Feeling lost, depressed, and naturally confused I traded the hardwood for hallways and spent the next seven years in Harlem first as a Dean of students, a Vice Principal and finally as a 4th grade teacher, all before the age of 28. I learned a ton about leadership from Coach Auriemma but I learned how to make it my own by pouring into my students. While I did initially feel lost directionally, working with my students taught me a ton about gratitude and humility. When you have young people looking up to you and being in awe it’s natural to be reminded of all of your success and feel extreme gratitude for everything you have achieved. Those same young people, however, will humble you by challenging you daily to be an agile and empathetic leader/learner. I learned how to mentor, how to manage chaos, how to show up for my students, their parent, and the whole school community as a whole, even when it was hard.
After that, I decided to stretch myself again and earned my MBA from Vanderbilt, which opened the door to Microsoft. That’s where I really started connecting the dots between human behavior, leadership, and culture.
Now, as a speaker and leadership development coach, I help humans age 14-24 do what I had to learn the hard way; to own their voice, lead with courage, and turn setbacks into superpowers. My approach is simple: interactive sessions, candid storytelling and actionable next steps with a dose of accountability. Whether I’m on stage or coaching one-on-one, my mission is the same, to help future leaders communicate with clarity and lead with the kind of authenticity that actually moves people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! My first struggle was my relationship with basketball itself. I started playing because I had to, not necessarily because I loved it. I’ve been 6’3” since I was 12, and sports were my ticket to college, my way to earn an education without the financial burden. From the start, my relationship with basketball was complicated. I didn’t fall in love with it right away, but the game opened so many doors for me. It gave me a community through AAU, it gave me my first passport stamp when I played in Italy with my UConn teammates, and it taught me how to recover quickly when things didn’t go my way, that “short-term memory” athletes talk about.
But right after reaching the peak of my game, I lost it all. At 18, I blew my knee out, and by the end of that season, my basketball career was over. I went from being the number-one player in the country to being able to play only 15 minutes. While I never truly loved the sport, it had become my identity… it was my way into the world and when it was taken away, I didn’t know how to exist without it.
It took me six years to find my footing again. To rebuild who I was beyond an athlete. But in that process, I discovered something even more important: I had the ability to reinvent myself. Since then, I’ve earned three degrees, lived in seven cities, and even got certified in yoga and leadership coaching. You could say I’ve become addicted to doing hard things every 18 months, not because I have to anymore, but because I can. Every challenge since that injury has been a reminder that losing one dream doesn’t mean you stop chasing new ones.
As you know, we’re big fans of Be The Exception Coaching. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My signature program “Own Your Adventure”, was born from the belief that every person has the power to turn obstacles into opportunities. The name says it all: life rarely follows a straight line, but you always get to choose how you show up for the journey.
Through keynotes, workshops, and one-on-one coaching, I help people own their mindset, their story, and their next step. My programs are interactive, practical, and rooted in real-world experience. Whether I’m speaking to a group of executives or a gym full of students, my approach is the same—candid storytelling, humor, and heart. While I love speaking on stage, my passion is working one-on-one with students over a three to six month period, helping them uncover their purpose, build confidence, and learn how to leverage both their strengths and their setbacks. It’s about helping them see that what they’ve been through isn’t a detour, it’s preparation for what’s next.
What sets me apart is the range of experiences I bring to the table. I’ve lived every chapter I teach—from being a top-ranked athlete whose career ended early, to serving as a teacher, dean, and vice principal in Harlem, to earning my MBA at Vanderbilt, and later taking on big tech as Chief of Staff at Microsoft. That journey taught me how to connect with almost anyone because leadership, resilience, and purpose don’t change, only the setting does.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the testimonials I receive from the young adults I work with. There’s a lot being said about this generation, and quite frankly, I don’t always see what others see. I see a group of young people who are often being “talked at” rather than listened to. We can all agree that we respond better when we’re treated with respect and given real guidance—and that’s exactly what I provide. Most people assume I only work with student-athletes, but I believe all students deserve access to coaching from someone who’s experienced, intentional, and deeply invested in their success.
Own Your Adventure blends performance, purpose, and practicality. It’s not about buzzwords or fleeting motivation. It’s about helping people truly own whatever comes their way—with confidence, clarity, and courage.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Yes! I love this question. Fun fact: every August, during my birthday month, I posted a book review on my Instagram every day of the month, @ThankYouSoMuchButNo. I grew up obsessed with Reading Rainbow, and those book reviews were my favorite part—it’s probably where my love for storytelling started.
I’m a huge fan of historical fiction and memoirs, and a few of my go-to authors in that space are Amy Tan, Colson Whitehead, Mitch Albom, Wally Lamb, Isabel Wilkerson, and Erik Larson—just to name a few.
As for podcasts, I’m drawn to shows that mix curiosity with storytelling, like This American Life, Today Explained, Planet Money, and Hidden Brain. And I’m a huge fan of The Moth Podcast—I even love attending their live shows whenever I can. Storytelling plays such a big role in my work because it’s how we build empathy. Helping people curate and share their own stories isn’t just empowering for them—it’s deeply meaningful for me, too.
Pricing:
- Workshops Start at $3,500
- Keynotes Begin at $8,000
- 1:1 coaching starts at $1,250 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://betheexceptioncoaching.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachbhunt_/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittbritt-hunter/
- Twitter: https://x.com/brittbrand_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThanksButNoOneAskedYou
