Empowerment Series: Captain & Quarterback of Mexico’s Women’s Flag Football Team, Forbes 30 Under 30, Gold-Medal Winner of 2022 World Games, Diana Flores Shares Greatness with AW

We all have our definition of greatness. Someone who sets themselves apart by being extremely good at something. For others, it means living a life that is truly authentic and aligns with their goals and values. Either way, we place a high value on reaching this level of achievement. It’s one of the biggest reasons we love watching the Olympic Games, Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, NBA Championships, The Masters, US Open, World Cup, and other competitions. We want to see the best, feel inspired, and believe that anything is possible.

Diana Flores fell in love with flag football at 8 years old. She says, that she never imagined everything she is living was a possibility for her.

• In 2022, the Captain of Mexico’s Women’s Flag Football team led her peers to Gold at the World Games by throwing four touchdowns to defeat the United States 39-6.
• The athlete promotes flag football as an Olympic sport in 2028 and is an Ambassador for the NFL.
• In 2023, she appeared in an NFL Super Bowl LVII Halftime commercial and was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, as one of the Most Influential People in Sports. She also received a Clio Impact Award and signed on as an Under Armour Global Ambassador.
• She has been a Guest Studio Analyst for NFL games and been an Assistant Coach at the Pro Bowl Games.
• Recently, she made history. She is the first flag football player, male or female, recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

AW had the honor of sitting down with her for an inspiring interview. Diana lives the definition of greatness on and off the field. We discussed what the word means to her, why breaking barriers and empowering women is important, and her best advice for anyone looking to tap into their greatness.

This episode is about greatness. You have had amazing wins. You are living and thriving in greatness but what does that word mean to you? I love the approach you mentioned in your introduction because greatness means different things to everyone. It is a process of evolution for all of us. As a kid, greatness was to be the best on the field, then it was to represent my country at the highest level in the world, afterward, it was winning the gold medal.

At one point, I understood that everything we do is bigger than ourselves. It can have an impact on the people around us, as well as, our journey and that of others. Greatness for me has evolved into contributing to a movement of change. Plant a seed of inspiration, and motivation for many stories. I feel that when you find your definition of greatness, it makes things a little easier. It helps you to connect with your purpose, focus on your why, and let that lead your actions.

You started playing flag football at the age of 8. When did you first tap into your gift? Do you remember a moment when it all changed for you? Wow! That is an amazing question. It has been a process for me, when I was younger everything was about having fun. I loved to be on the field and wanted to learn. It was a passion I shared with my dad and family, it kept us connected. I was developing myself while winning a place on the field. Playing with older girls was a challenge. I started realizing that the sport offered an opportunity to prove myself and get to know myself more deeply. It was the moment, I knew this was something bigger. This love helped me connect with others and encouraged me to work toward breaking gender and cultural barriers.

At the age of 14, I started playing with a team of boys because it was the only way to keep playing. I was the only girl in an all-boys team in the male league. Afterward, I traveled to the US with a girl’s team and was the only Latina in the league. This experience helped me realize two things. Sports is powerful and allows for many opportunities. Second, I understood that many things needed to change.  It was not possible that I was going to be the only female or Latina. I did not understand why it was all happening but in that moment, I found purpose and something bigger than myself.

At 16 years old, when I began representing my country, I saw the impact I was having on young girls who identified with me. Again, I realized this was more than me playing on the field and winning championships. What I was doing had the power to unite people and break barriers.

You have earned medals, awards, and many accolades in recognition of your talents on the field. You are also making great strides off the field. You have talked about how you want to empower women in sports, being outspoken about issues faced while rising the ranks, which I believe has elevated you to a new level of greatness. Why is it important for you to surpass barriers in your industry? Sports has the power to break many barriers but also representation impacts lives. I know, because it has completely changed mine. I was a young Mexican girl who fell in love with an American sport that seemed to be for men. I didn’t have many role models to follow, no one who looked like me. There weren’t women in my field, there were no Latinas. I grew up with the NFL, watching amazing players but felt like an intruder in a world where I didn’t belong. No matter what your passion, or dream may be, everyone deserves to dream big. This is very important to me at this time in my life. I’m so blessed and grateful to be part of this change. I want to remind the world of the power of sports and empower women through a message of unity. Our Latino community must continue to work harder than ever, we can do great things. Greatness starts in the mind. “If you can see it. You can be it” is real. This is the true power of sports and what we are doing.

You won Gold at the World Games, were featured in Forbes’s 30 Under 30 Most Influential People in Sports, won the Clio Impact Award, and signed with Under Armour as a Global Ambassador. Congratulations! You are seriously tapping into your power. As a Latina, a woman in Sports, what legacy do you hope to leave for the younger generation? I want little girls and women to remember that we are powerful, strong, smart, resilient, and capable of doing anything we set our minds to. You are never alone. I’m blessed to have amazing people around me to help me get to where I am and be, who I am. So, no matter how hard our goals are and how lonely we may feel, you will find someone to give you a hand. Also, be that someone for another person, too.

Be true to your passion and do what makes you feel happy. Prepare for when the big moment comes. I promise you, that life can be surprisingly, even bigger, brighter, and better than your wildest dreams.

We like to end AW interviews with a quote, mantra, or advice for our community. In a past interview, you said, “You fell in love with the sport at 8, and never imagined that all of this could even be a possibility for you.” Many adults and children are feeling like you once did, about their dreams. What advice can you share to encourage them to keep going and seek their greatness? Live your journey. If it makes your heart beat and gets you excited then you know you are doing the right thing. Even if you are not seeing the results you want and the journey is difficult, stay focused on yourself. If you are doing something that makes you happy, it will light a spark in you. People around you will see you shine and you will be better for it. In that synergy is where the magic happens!

AW is thankful to Diana for sharing her greatness and story. She is an inspiration to our community and a bright light for the world.

Greatness takes time. It is a process of evolution, and not exclusive to any one person.  It will serve you well to be patient, embrace the journey, and let go of expiration dates.  There is no timing for self-improvement. We have to continuously cultivate and nurture the greatness inside of us. The key is in putting in the work. over and over, again. The magic is in you.

To learn more about Diana, visit Instagram@dianaflores33

Watch or listen to the AW Confidential Podcast for full interview and sidebar conversations. Also, available on our YouTube channel.