3X national champ Dawn Staley shares her secret to maintain record of excellence: "There's a certain habitual journey"

Dawn Staley has led the South Carolina women's basketball team to three national championships. Her recent win came this year as the Gamecocks finished the season undefeated with a 38-0 record overall.

In a YouTube video uploaded by Forbes on Monday, Staley spoke with Maggie McGrath about the keys to her success. McGrath asked Staley how she has managed to maintain such a consistent level of excellence.

"I think when you've been successful at things, there's a certain habitual journey that you're on," Staley replied. "Some things are really, really good for success and you try to stay on course with those things.

"I always talk to our players about creating positive and good habits and that's what we do year after year after year and then we decompress some and say where could we've gotten better and then maybe we'll switch up and do something a little bit different. But if it's not broken, I wouldn't bother it." [Time Stamp: 00:44]

Dawn Staley, who joined South Carolina in 2008 after leaving Temple, has led the Gamecocks to consecutive NCAA appearances since 2012. Her first championship came in 2017 when the team defeated Mississippi State in the final. She followed that up with another title in 2022, defeating Geno Auriemma's UConn.

Dawn Staley reflects on the growing momentum in women's sports

Dawn Staley's impact on women's basketball is unparalleled. Over the years, she has elevated the sport with her remarkable talent and has witnessed its transformation up close.

One of the highest-paid female basketball coaches, Staley was listed in Forbes' 50 over 50 which came out earlier this month.

"Well, one, I don't think it's a fad. I think this is, and I've said this plenty of times that I think sports, women's sports have been held back for a very long time. And now we're at a place where we're in high demand," Staley said [via MSNBC].

"Like I don't think there's room for everybody, but in a way in which we have to do it strategically where it makes sense. And I'm glad we're in this place. I do think that it's definitely a movement that people are joining in. I'm on Morning Joe ... never would I have imagined that I will be on the show."

In addition to her professional career, Staley devotes her time advocating for humanitarian causes. She established the Dawn Staley Foundation, which aims to promote and support basketball leagues and organize various fundraising events.