How To Do Hard Things

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Jun 5, 2025

Abby Wambach, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and bestselling author, opens up about the emotional complexities of a celebrated sports career. She explores the disconnect between external achievements and internal fulfillment, discussing her battles with addiction and shame. Abby emphasizes the importance of self-love and resilience as she navigates her journey of self-acceptance. She also encourages listeners to embrace their vulnerabilities and prioritize genuine connections over societal expectations, sharing powerful insights from her personal experiences.

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ANECDOTE

Abby Wambach's Addiction Journey

Abby Wambach struggled with alcoholism and prescription pain medicine addiction at the end of her soccer career.
She chose to live openly about her addiction, embracing honesty and vulnerability after a public DUI incident.

INSIGHT

Hidden Mental Health Struggles in Athletes

Athletes are expected to be infallible, but their mental health struggles often go unnoticed.
Abby used alcohol and medication to manage post-game depression and anxiety symptoms.

ADVICE

Choose Openness Over Hiding

Live openly and honestly about your struggles, even if it risks disapproval from others.
Being authentic is essential to self-acceptance and healing from shame.

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What happens when the world sees you as a hero, but you feel lost inside? Abby Wambach, a trailblazer in women’s soccer, shares how facing life’s challenges after retirement helped her discover truth, healing, and self-love.

Summary: Abby Wambach spent years chasing excellence as a world-class athlete, only to find that winning gold didn’t bring the inner fulfillment she craved. In this powerful conversation, she reflects on addiction, shame, identity, and the hard-earned lessons of self-love. Her honesty reveals a new kind of strength. One rooted in vulnerability and the courage to be fully seen.

This episode was supported by a grant from The John Templeton Foundation on Spreading Love Through The media.

How To Do This Practice:

Acknowledge the belief that achievement or perfection will make you feel whole.
Notice when success doesn’t bring lasting happiness, and let yourself feel that disappointment.
Share your struggles honestly, even the ones you're ashamed of.
Choose to live openly instead of hiding parts of yourself to fit others’ expectations.
Ask yourself where your beliefs about worthiness and shame come from.
Keep coming back to love and accept yourself, especially the parts you were taught to hide.

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.

Today’s Guests:

ABBY WAMBACH is a two time World Olympic gold medalist, FIFA world champion, and bestselling author. She is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame and a six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award.

Follow Abby on Instagram here: @abbywambach

Order her book We Can Do Hard Things here: https://treatmedia.com/

Listen to Abby’s podcast here: https://wecandohardthingspodcast.com/

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Message us or leave a comment on Instagram @scienceofhappinesspod. E-mail us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/25p25ctd