Meet Betsy! Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Betsy’s life has been deeply shaped by the sport of tennis and a passion for inspiring others. She graduated from Allendale Columbia School, where she excelled on the court, earning a spot among the top ten players in New York State. As a USTA/Eastern Junior Tennis competitor, Betsy’s dedication and skill propelled her to the national stage, where she achieved a ranking among the top junior players in the country.
Betsy went on to play Division I tennis at Brown University, where she majored in Psychology. During her four years as a varsity athlete, she competed at the highest collegiate level, ultimately serving as team captain and anchoring the lineup as the number one singles and doubles player. Her leadership and commitment to excellence left a lasting mark on the program and her teammates.
After earning her undergraduate degree, Betsy attended American University Law School, earning her JD and beginning a career as a hospital attorney. But her connection to tennis never faded—she went on to coach high school tennis in Barrington, Rhode Island for 13 years, guiding both individual and team state champions and sharing her love of the game with a new generation of athletes.
Betsy’s journey has also been one of resilience and advocacy. In 2021, she published her memoir, The Longest Match: Rallying to Defeat an Eating Disorder in Midlife, a deeply personal and inspiring account of her own recovery. Since then, she has become a sought-after speaker on topics of eating disorders and athlete mental health, sharing her story at conferences, treatment centers, non-profits, schools, and universities across the country—both in person and virtually. Through her business, Gifts of Recovery, LLC, Betsy offers mentorship and group support, helping others find hope and healing through her lived experience. She is also a member of The LaunchBreak, a networking community for athletes.
Today, Betsy continues to combine her love of sport, her professional expertise, and her personal journey to empower others. Whether she’s speaking to audiences nationwide or mentoring through her business, she exemplifies strength, empathy, and the power of using one’s story to inspire change. Read more about Betsy below!
Q: What sports did you play growing up?
I played tennis. I started taking lessons when I was 9 or 10 but I wasn’t very good and I didn’t particularly like it. After a trip to the US Open when I was 11 my passion was born and by the age of 13 I was taking my tennis very seriously and playing tournaments.
Q:Was there anything that made you hesitant about starting your sport(s)?
When I first started playing tennis, I didn’t really like it and I wasn’t very good at it. My parents insisted that I try tennis lessons.
Q: What female athletes (or any athletes) did you look up to?
Professional Tennis Players such as Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, and Martina Navratilova. They inspired me to want to get better and be the best that I could be. They ignited my passion for tennis!
Q: What is your favorite memory associated with sports?
Playing four years of college tennis at Brown University. It was amazing being part of a team with an individual sport. I loved the travel, the competition, and I formed life-long friendships and learned important life lessons.
Q: How has playing sports helped shape your life?
Tennis gave me many gifts such as self-esteem, confidence, a healthy outlet, travel, friendships and life lessons such as determination, discipline and resilience.It also gave me my coaching career. As a tennis coach, I tried to instill those important life lessons in my players and reminded them that I cared about them as a whole person, not simply as a tennis player.
Tennis gave me so many gifts but also became entwined in development of an eating disorder upon my return to tennis in midlife. I learned so many important lessons in recovery that are important for everyone including all athletes; it’s okay to be human and struggle with mental health issues.
Q: What advice would you give to young girls who are just starting off in sports?
I would want them to know that sports are supposed to be fun and enjoyable. I would want them to also know that it is okay to work hard to achieve goals but that they are human and that their sport is not the only thing that defines them. And also that it is important to develop other interests.
Coach Rachel 