The Bright Side with Ben Fuchs August 19th 2023

The Bright Side with Ben Fuchs August 19th 2023
Guest Saturday 08/19/23

Veronica Karaman

Inspiring true champions is the essence of Veronica Karaman's life and the reason why she has become a successful life coach, speaker, teacher, motivator, and author.

At the age of five, Veronica began her golf career and her quest to become a champion. At this early age, as her father placed a putter in her hand, she knew that golf would become her closest friend. She found out later in life that golf would also become her worst enemy when she failed.

Success in golf, achieving all A's in academics, and striving for perfection, were all things that she worked diligently at accomplishing. She graduated as the valedictorian of her high school and graduate school classes, and won many golf tournaments. However, all the trophies and triumphs were not enough to fill the void and the loneliness in her heart. Her father's death when she was fifteen only fueled Veronica's determined pursuit to become a champion.

At the height of her college career as a scholarship athlete at Duke University, she realized that being a champion is not a trophy you achieve, but an identity you realize based on who you are. She also discovered the foundational tools of a true champion are unconditional love, acceptance, dignity of soul, an authentic heart and a warrior spirit.

This discovery over time helped set her free from 17 years of chronic fatigue and the deep emotional damage that occurred when she substituted her need for nurture with a relentless drive for achievement when her father died. The captive freed, the true champion in her came forth. After five years of quitting golf, Veronica experienced her career highlight in golf. After winning the qualifying tournament, Veronica went on to play in the 1989 Women's U.S. Open.

In addition to being a professional tour player and instructor, for the last 20 years Veronica has mentored and coached students of all ages and abilities to become academic champions, freed to excel with joy.

In 2004, she became a certified life coach through Transformational Leadership Coaching, Inc. Through True Champion Coaching, Veronica combines her background in peak performance and coach training, life experiences, and the revelation of true championship to help other captives become true champions themselves, on the course, in the classroom, and in life.

Credentials:

Certified Life Coach, Transformational Leadership Coaching, Inc.
M.A. Communication, summa cum laude, Regent University
M.A. Biblical Studies, summa cum laude, Regent University
B.A. Management Science, Duke University
1989 Women’s U.S. Open Participant
Author, God's Way to an A
Author, Academic Champion coaching program
Author, A Quiet Clap: Life Lessons Appreciating God and Golf
Adjunct Professor of Communication
Professional Golfer, Futures Golf Tour
Teaching Golf Professional, formerly with Kingsmill Resort
Duke University Student Athlete Scholarship
Genuine Hero Award, Trinity College, 1992
Extraordinary Student of America Award
Who's Who in America Award
Penn State University Scholar Award
Duquesne University Scholar Award
Regent University Beazley Scholar Award
Outstanding Student in Biblical Studies Award