Jacki Gemelos Shares Her Tips For Dealing With Adversity: ‘It’s Not A Sprint, It’s A Marathon’

Jackie Gemelos understands overcoming adversity better than most. 

The 35-year-old former WNBA player turned sports agent teamed up with e.l.f. Cosmetics and PEOPLE to give a pep talk about persevering in the face of any hardships. 

To kick off the pep talk, Gemelos talks about the challenges she faced throughout her basketball career, including “five ACL tears.” 

“There were times I felt defeated,” the vice president of talent representation at Disrupt the Game sports agent says. But through all of those challenges, she persevered, so she knows better than most: "You got this." She shares three tips to keep in mind when you're not feeling your most isnpired.

As she applies e.l.f.’s Lash ’N Roll Mascara. Gemelos first reminds viewers that “you are strong, you are capable, [and] you are amazing. Be patient and give yourself grace,” she says. “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”  

Her second tip for viewers is to ”lean on your support system, whether that’s family, friends, your relationship, coaches, teammates” to help through those challenges. 

Lastly, Gemelos recommends that viewers “set attainable goals” throughout their life — then ends her pep talk with a swipe of e.l.f’s Squeeze Me Lip Balm at the end of the video. 

Her parting words? “Whether they’re big goals or small goals, it’s progress, not perfection; every little win goes a long way.”  

PEOPLE Pep Talks, presented by e.l.f., offers a confidence boost via motivational chats with everyone from actors and comedians to athletes and beauty pros. So whether you’re going on an interview, taking on a daunting task, getting ready for a date or just not feeling your best, these talks will help you #GoPepYourelf