Moving Beyond the Sidelines: How Honor Garrett Rediscovered Her Purpose After 32 Years of NFL Life

“She sets her heart upon a field and takes it as her own. She labors there to plant the living vines.”

— Proverbs 31:16 (TPT)

 

A Word from Eileen Noyes:

I used to think I was a quitter. I’d start a new side hustle, get excited… and eventually walk away from it.
But what I’ve come to see is that I wasn’t quitting—I WAS SEARCHING.
I was trying to find MY field… the one GOD created JUST FOR ME to cultivate.
When we understand our divine design—our gifts, our burdens, our lived experiences—we begin to see how God uses ALL OF IT to guide us toward OUR PURPOSE.
That’s the heart behind the newest Proverbs 31 - Lady Bellator Edition devotional.
Sis, you have a field too. And someone needs the fruit that only you can grow.
🌿 Ready to uncover it?
👉🏼 Join the wait list and immediately get Proverbs 31:10 as a preview, as well as each new chapter of Proverbs 31 - Lady Bellator Edition as it releases.

 

When Honor Garrett married her husband John, a former NFL player turned coach, she had no idea she was embarking on a journey that would take her family to 16 different cities over the course of 32 years. As a former sports broadcaster who had once dreamed of making her mark in the media world, Honor found herself navigating the unique challenges of being married to someone whose career demanded constant relocation, long hours, and unwavering family support.

Today, Honor is a certified life and leadership coach who specializes in helping women, particularly empty nesters, rediscover their purpose and step into their God-given potential. Her story connects perfectly with the mission of "The Unsidelined Life" host Eileen Noyes , who creates a platform where women share their journeys of transition, resilience, and reinvention. Together, they explore the complex emotions and practical challenges that arise when women who have dedicated years to supporting their families suddenly find themselves asking, "What's next for me?"

This conversation reveals not just Honor's personal transformation, but also shows the broader struggle many women face when moving between seasons of serving others and reclaiming their own dreams and aspirations.

 

The Reality of Constant Adaptation  

 

Living as an NFL coach's family meant that stability was a luxury Honor and her four children rarely experienced. The demands of professional football created a lifestyle where John would often work during the season, leaving Honor to manage the household, raise the children, and maintain family connections largely on her own. Each move brought new schools for the kids, new communities to navigate, and the ongoing challenge of creating home wherever they landed.

Honor discovered that the transient nature of their lifestyle actually built resilience in their children, teaching them adaptability and the ability to form connections quickly. However, it also meant that her own career aspirations took a permanent backseat to the family's needs. The broadcasting dreams she had once pursued became a distant memory as she focused entirely on creating stability for her family in an inherently unstable environment.

The financial pressures were real too, especially during John's playing days when contracts weren't guaranteed and making the team was never certain. This reality shaped their family's approach to money, travel, and long-term planning. They learned to drive everywhere instead of flying because six plane tickets represented a significant expense before they'd even begun their vacation. These experiences taught Honor resourcefulness and the importance of finding joy in simple family moments rather than exotic experiences.

 

The Art of Intentional Presence  

 

One of the most touching examples of Honor's adaptability came during a Christmas when John had to coach an away game, missing the family's beloved tradition of him reading "T'was the Night Before Christmas" to the children. Their youngest daughter was devastated that dad wouldn't be there for this special moment. Rather than letting disappointment define the holiday, Honor found a creative solution that would preserve the tradition despite physical distance.

She discovered a recordable book and had John record himself reading the story before he left. When their daughter opened the gift on Christmas Eve and pressed play, her face lit up with joy as she declared, "Dad is here!" This moment became a defining philosophy for Honor: intentionality matters more than proximity. Being present doesn't always require physical presence, but it does require thoughtful effort and creativity.

This principle extended beyond special occasions to everyday life. Honor learned to help John find meaningful ways to connect with their children even when his schedule was demanding. Through small notes, recorded messages, and making the most of the time he did have available, they discovered that quality moments could be created even within the constraints of a challenging schedule. This approach not only strengthened their family bonds but also taught Honor valuable lessons about making the most of every opportunity to show love and support.

 

Breaking Free From Limiting Beliefs  

 

As Honor entered the empty nest phase of life, she confronted the reality that many women face: she had spent so many years serving others that she had forgotten what her own dreams looked like. The transition from having a house full of children to being alone with her thoughts was jarring. She realized that while she had successfully raised four children and supported her husband's career, she had also lost touch with her own sense of purpose and identity.

Honor's journey back to herself began with pursuing health coaching certification, driven by her family's involvement in sports and her natural interest in wellness. However, she quickly discovered that what people really needed wasn't just nutrition plans or exercise routines. The deeper issue was often mental and emotional: people were struggling with limiting beliefs, negative self-talk, and the inability to see their own potential.

This realization led Honor to expand her training into life coaching, leadership development, and even alternative healing modalities. Through this exploration, she developed her signature concept of getting out of "the GOOP," which stands for the Good Opinion of Other People. She recognized that too many women, herself included, were allowing others' expectations and judgments to cap their potential. The fear of criticism or disapproval was keeping them pursuing their God-given dreams and stepping into their full potential.

 

Essential Steps for Women Ready to Reclaim Their Dreams  

 

Honor's experience coaching women through major life transitions has revealed several key strategies that can help anyone ready to step into their next chapter:

Five Foundations for Moving Forward:

1. Stop apologizing for your dreams - Women tend to minimize their aspirations or constantly say sorry for wanting more, which diminishes their own power before they even begin

2. Don't wait until you feel ready - The perfect moment never arrives; growth happens through action, not endless preparation

3. Expect resistance yourself and others - Both internal doubt and external criticism are normal parts of pursuing something meaningful

4. Focus on intentionality over perfection - Small, purposeful actions create more impact than waiting for ideal circumstances

5. Remember that your gifts have a source and a purpose - Acknowledging that talents come God shifts the focus self-promotion to service

Honor emphasizes that women don't have to choose between serving their families and pursuing their own dreams. In fact, when mothers show the courage to follow their passions, they model for their children that it's possible to create the life you want. This example becomes a gift that keeps giving, showing the next generation that dreams don't have expiration dates and that reinvention is always possible.

The transition full-time mothering to pursuing personal goals isn't about abandoning family responsibilities; it's about recognizing that different seasons of life call for different expressions of who we are. Honor's approach helps women understand that wanting more for themselves isn't selfish but actually a way of honoring the gifts they've been given and the people they're meant to serve.

 

Your Next Chapter Starts Now  

 

Honor Garrett's story, shared on Eileen Noyes' The Unsidelined Life, represents thousands of women who find themselves at a crossroads between who they've been and who they're meant to become. The combination of Honor's hard-won wisdom and Eileen's commitment to helping women live unsidelined lives creates a space where transformation becomes not just possible, but inevitable.

If you're a woman who feels that stirring inside that whispers there's something more for you, consider this your invitation to start listening. You might be an empty nester like Honor was, or someone still in the thick of raising children while supporting a demanding career. The principles shared in this conversation apply to any season of life where you're ready to step more fully into your potential.

The journey sideline to center stage doesn't happen overnight, but it begins with a single decision to stop waiting for permission and start honoring the gifts you've been given. Your dreams are not too late, too big, or too impractical. They're exactly what the world needs you right now.

If you're ready to step off the sidelines in your own life but aren't sure where to begin, Eileen Noyes' book "Sidelined No More" offers practical guidance for women reclaiming their purpose. Visit ladybellator.com/books to get your copy today.

For more inspiring conversations about moving from the sidelines to center field in your life story, tune in to "The Unsidelined Life" podcast with Eileen Noyes. Each episode features real stories from women who have navigated the complex journey of balancing family, faith, and finding their own purpose. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and join a community of women who are ready to live the full life God created for them.