Welcome to Pretty Tough

EXPLORE THE YIN & YANG OF GIRLS WHO ARE FIERCE & FEMININE

We live by the Muay Thai mantra, Soft as silk, hard as diamond. We are multi-dimensional beings who like to play hard and run fast but we like being feminine as well. We’re as comfortable in running shoes and a ponytail as glitter and high heels. This site is dedicated to all the girls who love kickin’ butt and busting stereotypes every day.


Whether you’re looking for our best-selling books or other products, want to learn more about a specific sport, get motivated, find events or camps, or just want to see the awesomeness of other Pretty Tough girls, you’re in the right place. Feel free to let us know what you think and how we can better serve you.

PRETTY

Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson Weighs In On Body Image

Athletes are not immune to having negative body image concerns or being vulnerable... 

Teen Golf Pro Scores Prom Date on Facebook

Spending hours every day on the driving range and the rest of your time traveling... 

Get Ready for Kentucky Derby Day 2012

Fun Fact: Secretariat holds the Derby record, finishing the 1 1/4 mile in 1 minute... 

Eco Friendly Bliss – A Natural Beauty Line Fit for an Athlete

You know what’s better than using one of Neutrogena Naturals products? Using more... 

Sharapova Haircut Sparks Online Frenzy

Did she or didn’t she? When Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova posted pictures... 

U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Teams Unveil New Kits

U.S. Soccer and Nike unveiled the new home jersey for both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s... 

MZ & Emmers Sports Bra Auction for Breast Cancer April 7-15

Hope Solo, USA Goalkeeper They are back at it again! Soccer player McCall Zerboni... 

Nike Free Now Customizable Via a Cool App

When I log onto Facebook, I immediately scan my news feed for anything exciting... 

[Video] Behind the Body Paint with Alex Morgan, Natalie Coughlin and Natalie Gulbis

Soccer super stud Alex Morgan had to look twice in the mirror to make sure she wasn’t... 

Surprise Guest Hope Solo at Conga Room in LA #womenandsport

  USWNT goalkeeper Hope Solo, looking stunning in an orange gown, made a surprise... 

Nuts for Nuts

Trail mix is the perfect on-the-go snack. Filled with protein, fiber, and carbs,... 

Natalie Coughlin and Natalie Gulbis join Alex Morgan in Body Paint

@AlexMorgan13, @NatalieCoughlin, & @Natalie_Gulbis are featured in the @SI_Swimsuit... 

The Best Sports Couples – Valentine’s Day Edition 2012

Have you ever noticed how singers and actors always seem to hook up with each other?... 

Soccer Star Alex Morgan Poses for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition

If you’ re any sort of women’s soccer fan, you know about Alex Morgan. The... 

4 P’s to Being a Professional Athlete

As a kid I dreamt of being a professional ski racer. Traveling the world, racing... 

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TOUGH

Olympic Gymnast Shawn Johnson Weighs In On Body Image

Athletes are not immune to having negative body image concerns or being vulnerable... 

Teen Golf Pro Scores Prom Date on Facebook

Spending hours every day on the driving range and the rest of your time traveling... 

U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012

The fans have spoken! Congratulations Gail Devers (track & field), Jean Driscoll... 

Baseball Team Forfeits Championship Rather Than Play Against a Girl

Remember last year when a male high school wrestler forfeited a round in the state... 

Granny Tries Out for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

Fifty-five year-old grandmother of two Sharon Simmons has some serious swag. Plus,... 

Gymnast Shawn Johnson’s Mom on Raising an Olympian

In this P&G produced segment, Shawn’s mom, Teri, talks about... 

Get Ready for Kentucky Derby Day 2012

Fun Fact: Secretariat holds the Derby record, finishing the 1 1/4 mile in 1 minute... 

May is National Bike Month

National Bike Month is probably not an event Hallmark bothers with. For those of... 

Making Waves (Pretty Tough Book #5) On Sale TODAY!

It’s summer break for the girls at Beachwood Academy and that means sun, surf,... 

Powerful Women: Stay Inspired

Hope you all are having a great spring season! Powerful Women Athletes wants to let... 

College Club Sports: Consider as Valuable Alternative to Varsity Play

Thanks in part to Title IX, opportunities for you to participate in sports as part... 

Surf: Courtney Conlogue claims maiden WCT victory over Malia Manuel

Winning events is nothing new for 19-year-old California native Courtney Conlogue.... 

Sharapova Haircut Sparks Online Frenzy

Did she or didn’t she? When Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova posted pictures... 

Legendary Coach Pat Summit Steps Down

Although not surprising, the announcement that legendary Tennessee Lady Vols head... 

U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Teams Unveil New Kits

U.S. Soccer and Nike unveiled the new home jersey for both the U.S. Men’s and Women’s... 

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Pretty Basic

Athenas to Zodiac Girls – Team Name Ideas

It’s always a challenge to come up with a name that epitomizes the team’s energy and philosophy. Add to that a name that everyone agrees on and the challenge increases. Check out our suggestions and feel free to customize as necessary. You can add your team or uniform color to any of the names either before or after e.g. Blue Athenas or... [Read more]

Soccer Lingo A-Z

American Football: term used by non-Americans to distinguish the popular U.S. sport of football from soccer which they also call football. Assist: the pass or passes which immediately precede a goal; a maximum of two assists can be credited for one goal. Attacking Midfielder: the most forward-playing midfielder, playing right behind the forwards; she... [Read more]

Pimp my ride; Buying snowboarding gear

Thinking about buying a snowboard this winter? There are about 50-100 different snowboard companies out there competing for your hard earned cash (or your mom’s hard-earned cash) so here are some things you should know. Riding Ability If your only snowboarding experience is playing SSX on your PS2, then consider yourself a beginner. If you board... [Read more]

Girls wrestle too

As women’s wrestling gains momentum (it became an Olympic event in the 2004 Games) more and more female high school and college student-athletes are taking up the sport. Below are a few facts about girls’ wrestling and some online resources to learn more about this growing phenomenon: About 6000 girls wrestled at the high school level in... [Read more]

Club Sports – Competitive and Travel Teams

There are always a few players who stand out, players who have a real passion for the game and love to play and win. How do athletes and/or parents know when it’s time to move up and play in a more competitive sports league? The player has a high interest level in a particular sport and practices on her own or with friends The player is the... [Read more]

Choosing skis & ski clothing

It used to be you could determine your ski length by reaching the tip of the ski to the top of your head. You’d add five to 10 centimeters according to skill and weight. Using the top of your head is still a good guide, but with shaped skis, the trend is to shorter skis. Shaped skis are wider and have more surface area touching the snow. They’re... [Read more]

Sports speak: Talkin’ the talk

“She got Maytaged in those rapids,” “At mile 15 she bonked and didn’t even finish,” “She scored a hat trick in the first half.” Any idea what we’re talking about? The sporting world has it’s own specialized vocabulary. If you want to walk the walk, you’ve got to talk the talk. ACE: serve that... [Read more]

Quick Fencing Facts

1. Fencing is one of only four sports to be included in every modern Olympic Games, since the first in 1896. Fencing was also a sport in the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece. 2. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games, was a fencer. 3. The tip of the fencing weapon is the second fastest moving object in sport; the first... [Read more]

Flag football: the coolest fall sport

Flag football is the latest rage for girls wanting fun and action without the intense pressure of many team sports. The game, which is a summer camp staple and often played at family picnics and in gym class, follows basic rules similar to those of mainstream football (often called “tackle football” for contrast).  Instead of tackling players... [Read more]

Ultimate Frisbee 101

Combining the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football, a game of Ultimate is played by two seven-player squads with a high-tech plastic disc on a field similar to football. 10 Simple Rules THE FIELD – A rectangular shape with endzones at each end. A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards,... [Read more]

Bodyboard Basics

What: A form of wave riding using a foam bodyboard. Bodyboarders predominantly ride prone on their stomachs though they can also be ride in a half-standing stance with one knee touching the board known as ‘dropknee’. Many bodyboarders wear swimfins on both feet to aid in controlling trajectory, adjusting speed while riding, paddling out,... [Read more]

Tennis Lingo

ACE serve that is neither touched nor returned by the receiving player. ADVANTAGE (“In” or “Out”) – the first point won by a side, following deuce. When the serving side wins this point it is called advantage-in. If the non-serving side wins the point, it becomes “break point” and the advantage is out. ALLEY The... [Read more]

Surf’s Up – The Basics

Girl Surfing Summer is in full swing so what better time to head to the beach and try surfing? If you’ve never tried it, surfing can be a bit intimidating. But fear not, we have all the tips you need to get  started. The Basics Learning to surf is not as scary or hard core as you may think.  It does, however, require patience so don’t... [Read more]

PT Playbook: Softball 101

Softball is a direct descendant of baseball (sometimes referred to as hardball to differentiate the two), but differs from it in several ways, of which the chief four are: The ball is always pitched (thrown to the opposing team’s batter) underarm – in other words, it is released when the hand is below the hip and no further away from... [Read more]

Questions to ask when choosing a sports camp

When choosing a sports camp, there are many, many questions to ask. The size of the program, number of session days, distance from home, and philosophy should all influence your decision. The cost, length, and type of a particular program are not necessarily connected with “results.” Research all potential programs and if possible, meet... [Read more]

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