Holding On Through the Darkness: Brittney Griner’s Story of Love, Resilience, and Power

Dear Listeners,

Welcome to the My Legacy Podcast & Syndicated Radio Show, where we dive into transformative conversations about impact, healing, and the power of building a legacy rooted in love, justice, and truth.

This week’s episode is one of the most powerful yet. We are honored to welcome Brittney Griner- Olympic gold medalist, WNBA star, and trailblazer in LGBTQ+ visibility in sports-alongside her wife, Cherelle Griner, an accomplished attorney and tireless advocate.

In their first-ever joint interview, Brittney and Cherelle open up about the harrowing 293 days Brittney spent detained in Russia, the trauma of wrongful imprisonment, and the unbreakable bond that carried them through it. This isn’t just a conversation about survival- it’s about love, purpose, and finding your voice when the world tries to silence you.

Episode Summary

In this intimate, emotional, and revealing episode, Brittney Griner reflects on her journey from being bullied as a child to becoming a global icon- and then suddenly a prisoner in a Russian penal colony. She opens up about the emotional toll of isolation, the inhumane treatment she endured, and the moment she considered ending her life- but didn’t, because she remembered her family, her father’s resilience, and the love that was waiting for her.

Cherelle Griner, in her own remarkable story of courage, shares what it was like to fight publicly while grieving privately. From finishing law school to launching the “We Are BG” movement, her advocacy helped bring Brittney home. Together, they reflect on healing, mental health, and rebuilding their relationship- and their lives- after trauma.

Their story is a testament to enduring love, fierce advocacy, and the strength it takes to keep going when everything feels lost.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How childhood bullying shaped Brittney’s strength and self-expression

• Why coming out publicly- and signing with Nike- was a legacy-defining act

• What it felt like to be detained, stripped of humanity, and isolated from loved ones

• How Cherelle’s legal mind and heart-fueled strategy led to a national movement

• Why visibility, love, and collective action saved Brittney’s life

• How the fight for WNBA pay equity reflects broader struggles for justice

• The importance of healing, mental health, and knowing when to ask for help

Deep Dive: Trauma, Visibility & the Politics of Freedom

Brittney’s detainment in Russia was not just a personal tragedy- it became a global flashpoint that revealed much about race, gender, sexuality, and geopolitics.

Wrongful Detention as Political Leverage

According to the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, over 60 Americans are currently wrongfully detained abroad, often used as bargaining chips. Brittney’s story reminds us that freedom can be precarious—and that public advocacy, especially from loved ones, can be the difference between captivity and release. Source

Trauma and Mental Health in High-Profile Returns

The U.S. military’s reintegration program, which Brittney participated in, acknowledges that returning from captivity requires deep psychological support. Symptoms like hypervigilance, night terrors, and emotional numbness are common. Cherelle’s insistence on being by Brittney’s side during her reintegration reflects cutting-edge trauma research: secure attachment is essential for recovery. Source

WNBA Pay Inequality and Why It Matters

Brittney was in Russia for one reason: to supplement her WNBA salary. As she and Cherelle note, the issue isn’t equal pay to the NBA- it’s about equal percentage of revenue. According to the WNBPA, players currently receive less than 10% of league revenue, while NBA players receive 50%. Brittney’s imprisonment was a consequence of a larger economic injustice- one we must continue to confront.

Reflection & Discussion Questions

Journal Prompts

• When have I had to find strength in the darkest moments of my life?

• What relationships in my life remind me that I am not alone?

• How do I define courage—not just in survival, but in choosing to love through pain?

Group or Partner Reflections

• How do we hold space for each other’s trauma in intimate relationships?

• What does advocacy look like when your loved one is hurting?

• How can we use our platforms—big or small—for justice?

Family Conversations

• What does resilience mean in our family?

• How do we support one another when we feel powerless?

• What stories of courage do we want to pass on to future generations?

Additional Resources

• Coming Home: Brittney Griner's Memoir

• James W. Foley Legacy Foundation

• “We Are BG” Movement

Hey - here you go lmk if you need any other cover image too-

BONUS DROP: Brittney Griner on Loving Boldly and Living Fully 

In this intimate My Legacy Bonus Drop, WNBA star Brittney Griner joins her wife, attorney Cherelle Griner, to share the story behind their love, their survival, and their faith. From a college milkshake to global headlines, they open up about what it takes to stay grounded through it all. 

Together they share: 

• Why faith and therapy are essential for lasting strength 

• How to protect peace in a world that misunderstands you 

• What it takes to show up fully—in love and in parenting 

Subscribe now so you never miss our weekly episodes every Tuesday with bonus drops every Thursday. 

Chapters 

00:00 – A Milkshake and a First Hello 

04:00 – Falling for Each Other, Loudly 

06:24 – Life Together in Rusia (Before Everything Changed) 

10:04 – Headlines, Hate, and Holding Faith 

13:31 – Counseling, Chaos, and Starting Over 

15:37 – Prayer, God, and the Power of Two 

18:20 – Parenting, Partnership, and Coming Home 

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