What does it take to become a captain of Team USA?
In Episode 24 of Flags on Fire, I sit down with Deliah Autry-Jones, co-captain of the USA Football Women’s National Team, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, mental toughness, and the incredible growth of women’s flag football as it prepares for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.
Deliah shares her remarkable journey—from picking up a football for the first time as a freshman at Robinson High School under legendary coach Josh Saunders to becoming one of the veteran leaders of Team USA. She opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, developing into a leader by example, and why confidence is built through preparation, consistency, and earning the trust of your teammates.
As a pediatric physical therapist, Deliah Autry-Jones also brings a unique perspective on athlete development. She explains why ACL injury prevention is so important for female athletes, how proper movement mechanics can extend an athlete’s career, and why specializing in one sport too early may actually do more harm than good.
One of the most powerful moments of the interview comes when Deliah discusses the importance of mental preparation. She shares how working with a sports psychologist transformed her own performance and why athletes must train their minds with the same commitment they train their bodies. She also offers practical advice for young athletes on avoiding burnout, separating their identity from their sport, and embracing recovery as part of the training process.
We also dive into the championship culture built by Coach Josh Saunders at Robinson High School, what makes Team USA successful on the international stage, and how women’s flag football has evolved into one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
In this episode we discuss:
🏈 Deliah Autry-Jones’ journey to Team USA
🇺🇸 What it means to be a Team USA captain
🧠 Building confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome
💪 Injury prevention and ACL awareness for female athletes
🏃 Why multi-sport athletes often develop into better competitors
🔥 The championship culture of Robinson High School and Coach Josh Saunders
🌍 The rapid growth of women’s flag football worldwide
🥇 Preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games
❤️ Mental health, sports psychology, and avoiding athlete burnout
👧 Deliah’s mission to inspire the next generation through Camp 13
Whether you’re a player, coach, parent, or simply passionate about the future of flag football, this episode is packed with valuable insights from one of the sport’s most respected leaders.
Be sure to subscribe to Flags on Fire for more conversations with the athletes, coaches, and innovators shaping the future of flag football.
#FlagsOnFire #DeliahAutryJones #TeamUSA #USAFootball #FlagFootball #Olympics2028 #LA2028 #WomensFlagFootball #GirlsFlagFootball #Leadership #SportsPsychology #AthleteDevelopment #FootballPodcast #JoshSaunders #MentalPerformance
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