Lawtey, Florida's own Golden girl is one of the most thought-provoking sports personas in the industry. Since 2008, Golden has brought powerful insights, in-depth opinions and spirited debates about the latest and most relevant topics in Sports.

Golden, a graduate of the University of Florida (2007) has a rich executive experience that extends into the NHL (Florida Panthers), the NFL (Miami Dolphins), the MLS (Colorado Rapids) and the NBA (Miami HEAT).

• Over 10 years as an insider

• Over 2,000 sports related events  

• Connected 1-on-1 with hundreds of athletes

• Engaged with over 50,000 sports fans

The multi-talented Golden currently resides in South Florida with her loving family. She is the Founder of the Lace Them Up Foundation - scheduled to launch in 2017 | the Executive Producer of her first hosted show - scheduled to debut in 2018 | and authoring her first empowerment book - scheduled to release in 2019.

"The opportunity to build the Lace Up brand is so fulfilling. The process is the most energizing piece. My life and career have been a landscape of peaks and valleys, and this moment...for me and my family...is no doubt the most rewarding."  - G.

Q: What is LACE UP?

A: LaceUp is a movement. A community. A nation, of women that share a common interest and passion for Sports - while educating, elevating and empowering our plight as women that love the game, just as much as anyone else does. LaceUp provides women vehicles and platforms to fellowship, learn and of course debate the hottest and most interesting topics in the world of sports. 

Q: women have many common interests, Why Sports?

A: Sports has been my passion since my childhood in Lawtey. At an early age, I realized how unifying sports can be. My mother had a game day ritual, and it unified the entire house. It was clockwork, and in this order; (1) hair dresser, (2) nail salon - purple and gold nails for sure, (3) Lakers jersey on - Magic Johnson of course, (4) TV on, (5) and everybody grabbed-a-seat in the family room. 

It all started with her. Her passion for the game was unmatched in my family. I am definitely my mothers child, because it rubbed off on me in a big way. I remember catching the bug watching the Lakers game. I couldn't take my left eye off the game, and my right eye off my mom. I was equally glued to the action on the screen and fulfilled by the energy in the room. The passionate mom and the show-time Lakers. It was Magical...pun intended lol.

 However, I also learned very early that many of the opportunities, audiences, and positions that men enjoy, we as women - have yet to experience. Heck, I had to join the cheerleading team, just to be close to the game. I didn't even like cheering but so much. My coach always yelled at me for paying too much attention to the game instead of cheering. It was unfortunate that I had to join the cheerleading squad, just to be close to the grid-iron, and all I really wanted to do was coach...but cheering was all we had back then. 

I just believe that passion is gender-less, and that my love for the game shouldn't be minimized, my opinions marginalized, nor my position be suppressed to certain roles, due to me being a woman.

Q: What would an equal playing field look like? 

A: Wow - good question. First and foremost, women are LacingUP and making deeper dives into the fabric of sports and it feels good to see us earning more and more respect everyday. I am greatly inspired by women like Jemele Hill, Becky Hammon, Sarah Thomas, Lauren Holtkamp and others. It was only a few years ago when we couldn't mention names like that next to titles like ESPN Co-Host,  NBA Coach, NFL Referee and NBA Referee.

They and others are paving the way for sure, and I look forward to seeing more follow in their footsteps. Although, we still have a lot of work to do. I believe things will start to balance out when we see Female owners celebrating in Super Bowl winning suites, Female GM's handing Larry O'Brian NBA Championship Trophies to the players that they drafted, and Female Head Coaches raising World Series Trophies. Of course, simultaneously - everyone should be receiving equal pay and acknowledgement for their hard work and success.

How long will that take? Hopefully not long, because women are LacingUp heels and sneakers everyday in sports. I pray that we will see at least one of each, in my lifetime. Who knows, maybe I'll buy an NFL team some day...we will wear gold laces of course.  

Q: What is the Lace THEM UP Foundation?

Honestly, L.T.U. is near and dear to my heart and the most important piece of the movement. Without boring you with saddening statistics, I will just say this...there is an ALARMING number of children from low income homes that are unable to financially place their kids in youth athletics. From Football and Hockey, to Swimming and Dance - joining teams cost money, acquiring the equipment cost money, traveling to and from practice cost money...not-a-game, not-a-game - we are talking about practice lol. So L.T.U. provides scholarships to children from low income homes and grants them the opportunity to participate in youth athletics. 

We believe that youth athletics provide the skills and lessons that lead to a more successful adolescence and into adulthood. Youth athletics encourage better fitness and health, a higher self esteem, lessons of teamwork and leadership, and also builds character. Not many other after school or summer efforts can do that like athletics can.  

Q: What is your favorite part of sports?

A: Ooooo - good question. Honestly, I get most excited about the unknown. The fact that two opponents prepare and practice for one another, and that we have no idea what is going to happen when they compete is the juice for me. Finding out who wins is great - but watching it unfold is the joy. Especially when there are two teams peaking and playing at their best, at the same point in time. Watching the general flow of the game, and the momentum shifts provide us all the emotional highs and lows that only an unknown outcome can give you - which is why they actually play the games. 

Q: What is your least favorite part of sports?

A: That's an easy one - the "poli-tricks" is what I enjoy least. I really wish everyone would focus on the essence of the game. Back-in-the-day, ALL players played for the love of the game, their team, their family and the money. Today, it seems like the order is reversed sometimes.

I get it - it's a business, but it's a business fueled by the game, not the other way around. Players played for no money during the early days of all 5 major leagues, and to be honest, everything seemed more pure back then. 

For example - Kap...he is only 30 years old and better than half the QB's in the NFL right now. Teams are avoiding hiring this man for a multitude of reasons. Reasons that somehow popped up because he used his platform to bring awareness to an issue that he wanted more people to dialog about and hopefully find a solution for. 

I honestly can't help but to imagine, how successful he would be if he actually landed on a team right now. Think about how many players would rally and play for this man. Players from all over the league support Kap off the field...imagine how hard they will play for him on the field. Shoot - I actually wouldn't have been surprised if he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy over his head this February and handed it to the owner of the team that hired him - now that's good business.  
 

Q: Who are your favorite nba and nfl players from the old school?

A: That is a VERY difficult question, but I have to say that Prime Time was my favorite NFL player from back in the day and A.I. was my favorite NBA player. 

Q: What about the new School?

A: This Russell Westbrook is a special player, so he would have to be my favorite current NBA player. Honestly, Richard Sherman would have to get my nod for favorite NFL player. Hard working, intelligent, gritty, and team-first type players are the players that I enjoy watching play. Although, I have to say - Kyrie is the future - we need to keep a close eye on him - we may be looking at another Isaiah. 

Q: so you went to UF. I'm curious, who is the greatest gator of all-time?

A: Tebow. Period.

Not much else to say about that. He won two (2) BCS National Championships, a Heisman, and delivered the greatest college football motivational speech of all-time...and then he backed his words up on the field. Zero debate on this one - it's Tebow for sure.