Danita Johnson, D.C. United | Consistency, Communication, Commitment

02/02/24 • 30 min

In this empowering episode of Athlete Mindset, we're honored to host Danita Johnson, a trailblazer in the world of sports. As the President of Business Operations for D.C. United, Danita brings a wealth of experience, innovation, and leadership to the forefront. We discuss the core themes of consistency, communication, and commitment. And then explore how these principles have shaped her career and success. Danita shares her unique perspective on the process over outcome, the importance of being a "professional friend," her addiction to building and growing in her field, and how confidence, pressure, and purpose intertwine in her journey.

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About this Episode | Danita Johnson, D.C. United | Consistency, Communication, Commitment

Consistency, Communication, Commitment: Exploring the foundational elements that drive success in sports business and personal growth.
Process Over Outcome: Danita's philosophy focuses on the journey rather than the destination.
Being a "Professional Friend": How building strong relationships contributes to personal and professional success.
"Addicted to the Build": A deep dive into Danita's passion for creating, developing, and enhancing sports organizations.
Confidence, Pressure, and Purpose: Unpacking how these elements interact in high-stakes environments.
Preparation, Routine, and Mindset: The daily habits and mental frameworks that fuel success.
The Power of Authentic Leadership: The impact of genuine, transparent leadership in the sports industry.

About Danita:

Danita Johnson stands as the first Black President of an MLS Club and only the third woman in league history to serve in this prestigious role.
Danita has a 17-year career marked by significant achievements, including record-breaking sales, innovative marketing strategies, and impactful community engagement.
Under Danita Johnson's leadership, D.C. United saw a substantial increase in ticket sales, concessions, apparel sales, and partnership revenue, alongside hosting landmark events.
Danita spearheaded the re-introduction of the D.C. United Foundation and significantly enhanced the club’s community relations efforts, positively impacting over 125,000 individuals.
From launching professional franchises to leading the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks to historic attendances and sponsorship dollars, Danita's influence spans across major sports leagues.
Through her mission of "Unite Sport. Build Community. Win Championships," Danita has fostered a culture of success and community involvement.
A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a graduate of Western Carolina University, Danita is deeply involved in community service, serving on multiple boards and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, leadership, and personal growth, offering invaluable insights from one of the industry's most influential figures.

Production Team for "Danita Johnson, D.C. United | Consistency, Communication, Commitment":

Presented by SportsE Media: a digital sports media brand for entrepreneurs engaged in sports

Social Media:

Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
SportsE Media: TikTok | Instagram | X
Danita Johnson: Instagram | LinkedIn | US Soccer | DC United

Related episodes to "Danita Johnson, D.C. United | Consistency, Communication, Commitment":

SUBSCRIBE to Athlete Mindset for $10/month

About this Episode | Danita Johnson, D.C. United | Consistency, Communication, Commitment

Consistency, Communication, Commitment: Exploring the foundational elements that drive success in sports business and personal growth.
Process Over Outcome: Danita's philosophy focuses on the journey rather than the destination.
Being a "Professional Friend": How building strong relationships contributes to personal and professional success.
"Addicted to the Build": A deep dive into Danita's passion for creating, developing, and enhancing sports organizations.
Confidence, Pressure, and Purpose: Unpacking how these elements interact in high-stakes environments.
Preparation, Routine, and Mindset: The daily habits and mental frameworks that fuel success.
The Power of Authentic Leadership: The impact of genuine, transparent leadership in the sports industry.

About Danita:

Danita Johnson stands as the first Black President of an MLS Club and only the third woman in league history to serve in this prestigious role.
Danita has a 17-year career marked by significant achievements, including record-breaking sales, innovative marketing strategies, and impactful community engagement.
Under Danita Johnson's leadership, D.C. United saw a substantial increase in ticket sales, concessions, apparel sales, and partnership revenue, alongside hosting landmark events.
Danita spearheaded the re-introduction of the D.C. United Foundation and significantly enhanced the club’s community relations efforts, positively impacting over 125,000 individuals.
From launching professional franchises to leading the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks to historic attendances and sponsorship dollars, Danita's influence spans across major sports leagues.
Through her mission of "Unite Sport. Build Community. Win Championships," Danita has fostered a culture of success and community involvement.
A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a graduate of Western Carolina University, Danita is deeply involved in community service, serving on multiple boards and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, leadership, and personal growth, offering invaluable insights from one of the industry's most influential figures.

Production Team for "Danita Johnson, D.C. United | Consistency, Communication, Commitment":

Presented by SportsE Media: a digital sports media brand for entrepreneurs engaged in sports

Social Media:

Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
SportsE Media: TikTok | Instagram | X
Danita Johnson: Instagram | LinkedIn | US Soccer | DC United

Related episodes to "Danita Johnson, D.C. United | Consistency, Communication, Commitment":

Previous Episode

Duke University, Basketball, and Family with Vanessa De Jesus

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Athlete Mindset podcast! In today's conversation, we sit down with Vanessa De Jesus, a remarkable collegiate basketball player from Duke University, also known for her significant role in the Philippine National Team. Beyond her prowess on the court, Vanessa discusses her life off the court, where it’s all about family!

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As a subscriber, you will receive exclusive content and consistent updates on athlete mental health.

With your support and amplification, we can ensure more voices are heard and more individuals are impacted.

Topics discussed with Vanessa De Jesus:

How Vanessa's mom inspired her to pursue a pre-med track in college
Balancing being an athlete with a rigorous major
Vanessa’s goals after graduation
The experience of playing with the Philippine national team
Vanessa’s experience learning the piano, and the importance of having various hobbies/passions
The importance of being a mental health advocate, and managing social media so it remains positive

About Vanessa De Jesus:

Point Guard for the Duke University Blue Devils, Majoring in Pre-Med
In the summer of 2023, Vanessa played for the Philippine Women's National Team
Vanessa is a talented Pianist, mental health advocate, and has a deep love for family

Production Team for "Duke University, Basketball, and Family with Vanessa De Jesus":

Athlete Mindset is part of the podcast network, QuietLoud Studios
Presented by SportsE Media: a digital sports media brand for entrepreneurs engaged in sports

Social Media:

Lisa Bonta Sumii: LinkedIn | Instagram | website
SportsE Media: TikTok | Instagram | X
Vanessa De Jesus: Instagram | Bio

Related episodes to "Duke University, Basketball, and Family with Vanessa De Jesus":

Music credit:

Beat Provided By freebeats.io | Produced By White Hot

Lisa Bonta Sumii, LCSW | CEO & Founder of AthMindset®

Lisa brings a high level of expertise to the athlete mental health space, from both a clinical and performance focus. She works with elite youth athletes, collegiate student-athletes, Olympians/Olympic hopefuls, professional athletes, coaches, teams, and the entire sport ecosystem.

Lisa is the first-ever Mental Performance Coach for the Oakland Roots Sports Club, a men’s professional soccer team, in the USL, working alongside other coaches on the Technical Team, as well as the Sports Medicine staff.

Lisa is listed in the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s Mental Health Registry, the NFL Player Association’s Clinician Directory, and the Major League Rugby Mental Health and Wellness Directory.

As a direct response to need, Lisa founded AthMindset® – a diverse team of athlete-centered, licensed mental health clinicians and mental performance consultants, serving across several states.

Lisa is a professional podcast host and podcast guest. She hosts the Athlete Mindset Podcast and co-hosts Roots Radio. She is a keynote speaker, an accomplished TEDx Speaker, speaks nationally and internationally, and is often invited to speak at conferences and contribute to expert panels.

Lisa has been quoted in Time Magazine, Teen Vogue, Women’s Health Magazine, as well as being interviewed on the BBC World News and Radio Bliss, in Jordan. Her first book, The AthMindset® Workbook: Training your mind for optimal mental health in sport and in life is now available.

Lisa received her Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Smith College School for Social Work and attended the University of California at Santa Barbara as a...

Next Episode

The Intersection of Sports Psychiatry and Performance with Dr. Wilsa Charles Malveaux

In this episode, Lisa Bonta Sumii shares space with Dr. Wilsa Charles Malveaux to discuss the role of sports psychiatry in enhancing athletes' mental health and performance. This is the Athlete Mindset podcast. And it’s all about mental health in sports. Presented and produced as part of the podcast network by SportsE Media.

Topics discussed in this episode "The Intersection of Sports Psychiatry and Performance with Dr. Wilsa Charles Malveaux"

The critical distinction between mental health and mental illness, particularly within the athlete community
The unique aspects of sports psychiatry and its importance in diagnosing and treating athletes
Dr. Charles Malveaux’s professional journey from an elite track and field athlete to a leading sports psychiatrist
Strategies for athletes to develop their identities beyond their sports careers and plan for the future
The holistic approach to athlete care, including medication management and therapy and collaboration with other healthcare professionals
Overcoming stigma and misconceptions about psychiatric treatment among athletes and encouraging open dialogue for seeking help
The challenges of navigating the sports ecosystem for both emerging and established athletes, including dealing with the "good old boys club" and finding trusted support networks
The impact of cultural and family perspectives on athletes' willingness to engage in psychiatric care and how success stories can shift these views
The importance of educating athletes on the interaction between medications, herbal remedies, and lifestyle choices on their mental and physical health

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About Dr. Wilsa M.S. Charles Malveaux, MD, MA, FAPA:

Dr. Wilsa M.S. Charles Malveaux, MD, MA, FAPA is a Sports Psychiatrist in Los Angeles CA, and the CEO of WCM Sports Psych. She completed her BA and MA in Psychology at Stanford University; her Medical Degree at Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM); and her residency in Psychiatry at UCLA. She is a former elite Track & Field athlete who trained for the Summer Olympics in Track and Field.

She is a tireless advocate & educator on the intersection of Mental Health, Sports, and Racial & Social Justice. Dr. Charles Malveaux has served in many clinical and leadership roles in sports, including as a consultant to the U. S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA); a member of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Mental Health Registry; a psychiatrist for the NBPA’s Mental Health and Wellness Program; the Western Regional Trustee on the Board of the Black Psychiatrists of America (BPA); and the inaugural Chair of the BPA’s Sports Psychiatry Committee.

Connect with host, guest, and podcast production team: