Lloyd’s Message To Smith After Getting Knocked Out Of The World Cup (And Marta’s Speech Too)

Penalty kicks are the worst.  You play the full game. Then you play the extra time. And if you still don’t have a winner, you basically start flipping coins.  Brutal.  The US Women’s National Team got knocked out of the World Cup.  On penalties.  Brutal, brutal, painstakingly brutal.  There’s important soccer strategy takes - but … Continue reading Lloyd’s Message To Smith After Getting Knocked Out Of The World Cup (And Marta’s Speech Too)

Savor Every (Stressful, High Stakes) Moment w/ Lindsey Horan

You earn the right to experience the stress you’re feeling.  Important disclaimer: we’re talking about earned stress here, NOT exploited stress. Don’t get this confused. If you’re experiencing the latter, you need to raise your hand and get help. If you’re experiencing the former, read on.   Earned stress. AKA the stress of the big job, … Continue reading Savor Every (Stressful, High Stakes) Moment w/ Lindsey Horan

Horan Vs. Van De Donk (Productive Even If Hostile Work Environments)

Lindsey Horan used to HATE playing against Danielle van de Donk. Van de Donk was a total ankle clipper. You were lucky to walk away from playing her - she just had that brutal nuisance mastery.  When the two found themselves on the same team at the French club Lyon, they buried the (ankle) hatchet. … Continue reading Horan Vs. Van De Donk (Productive Even If Hostile Work Environments)

Podcast Of The Week: Women’s World Cup Podcasts

The Women’s World Cup is underway. Which means I’m overly excited, sleep deprived, and daydreaming about trips to Australia and New Zealand.  Since my podcast consumption will be hampered by soccer-related podcasts for the next month or so, I might as well share some of my favorites to follow through the tournament: Quick intro to … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Women’s World Cup Podcasts

The Power Of Personalized Motivation And How Marta “Got On The Bus” To Soccer Greatness

The Players Tribune has a running feature called “Letters to My Younger Self.” In each edition, they have a world-class athlete write a letter to their past-self, offering advice and guidance from the present. Asking successful people “what do you know now that you wish you knew then” is a trope at this point, but the … Continue reading The Power Of Personalized Motivation And How Marta “Got On The Bus” To Soccer Greatness

How The US Women’s Team Got So Tough

Anson Dorrance is the University of North Carolina Women’s soccer coach who has helped develop many of the US National Team’s best players over the past several decades. He’s gotten more (well-deserved) attention in this World Cup cycle than he seems to have gotten in the past. One topic that regularly comes up is the mental … Continue reading How The US Women’s Team Got So Tough

How Tobin Heath Uses Adversity to Create Opportunity

Tobin Heath has two Olympic Gold Medals and a World Cup Trophy to brag about, and she’s still going for more at this year’s Women’s World Cup in France. Heath also has the title of “Finalist” from the 2011 World Cup. In the final, she missed a key penalty kick that contributed to the US’ dramatic … Continue reading How Tobin Heath Uses Adversity to Create Opportunity

Podcast of the Week: What it Means to be World Class with Tobin Heath

Julie Foudy has Tobin Heath on an episode of E:60 (ESPN - see below) and features the full interview on her Laughter Permitted podcast. Heath is thoughtful, inspirational, and a certifiable badass on and off the pitch. Whether you’re an athlete or just want to see what true discipline and drive looks like, check this … Continue reading Podcast of the Week: What it Means to be World Class with Tobin Heath