Ep434 - Abby Wambach | International Women's History Month
Apr 2, 2024
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Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach discusses her journey, teamwork, leadership in sports, sobriety, mental health, joy in career, legacy in soccer, achieving pay equality, building a supportive 'Wolfpack' community, and expressing gratitude and inspiration.
Continuous improvement through tracking training metrics led Abby Wambach to excel in soccer.
Aligning inner drive with outward expressions formed the basis of Abby Wambach's leadership success.
Embracing strengths and weaknesses within teams ensures authentic contributions and enhances team dynamics.
Deep dives
Maintaining Dedication and Passion for Soccer
Abby Wambach's dedication and passion for soccer were maintained through her obsessive tracking of training metrics and incremental gains. She had a deep understanding that reaching the top was a directionless goal and instead focused on being 'better.' This mindset of continuous improvement and the innate drive to always strive for improvement propelled her forward, even in the face of challenges and difficulties.
Transitioning from Soccer to New Callings
Abby Wambach found her calling not only through her passion for soccer but by integrating her internal and external selves. Learning to align her inner drive and passion with her outward expressions of care and dedication formed the basis of her leadership and success. This realization allowed her to transition from a soccer career to new endeavors by carrying this core essence of integrity and care into all aspects of her life.
Building and Sustaining High-Performing Teams
Abby Wambach emphasized the importance of embracing strengths and weaknesses within high-performing teams. She highlighted the need for team members to accept and vocalize their individual strengths and weaknesses to ensure that each person contributes authentically to the team's success. By focusing on integration, communication, and understanding team dynamics, Wambach underscored the significance of creating a cohesive unit that values each member's contributions.
Finding Joy and Purpose in Soccer and Beyond
Abby Wambach's journey in soccer and beyond was driven by a quest for joy and purpose. She emphasized the importance of showing up authentically and caring deeply about what you do. By aligning inner motivations with external expressions and allowing vulnerability to shine through, she discovered a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose. Wambach's relentless pursuit of joy and authenticity transcended her soccer career and guided her in various endeavors.
Managing Mental Health and Wellness in Transition
Abby Wambach shared her personal journey of managing mental health and wellness, particularly during transitional phases. She highlighted the importance of daily check-ins, self-awareness, and finding strategies that work for individual well-being. Wambach emphasized the significance of movement, cold plunges, and other activities that helped her maintain mental and physical wellness. By openly discussing struggles and coping mechanisms, she demonstrated the ongoing process of prioritizing mental health during life transitions.
Olympic gold medalist, activist, author, and podcast host Abby Wambach visits Google to discuss her journey, career and International Women's Day.
Abby Wambach is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA World Cup Champion, and six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award. She was the United States’ leading scorer in the 2007 and 2011 Women’s World Cup tournaments and the 2004 and 2012 Olympics. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller "Wolfpack", and the forthcoming children's book "The Wolfpack Way".
Abby is also the host of “Abby’s Places” on ESPN+, in which she showcases what makes her beloved sport of soccer a worldwide sensation. Abby also co-hosts the award-winning, critically acclaimed “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast with her wife Glennon Doyle and her sister Amanda Doyle. She is a co-founder and part-owner of Angel City FC, the first majority-female-owned soccer team in history, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the all-women-led nonprofit organization Together Rising.