Kendall.

  In this ep, I share an emotional voice message from when I knew I had to leave pro soccer and focus on my healing. I honestly didn't realize how much I was hating soccer at the time, until my concerning brain scan forced me to step away.    I packed up from Utah, and as soon as I landed in Portland, I embarked on a camping road trip with my friends Paige and Keelin (who have both been on the pod, ep. 38 and ep.58) to Lake Tahoe. I was asked to be a crew member for Paige who was running in the Western States, one of the most highly coveted 100-mile races in the world (that only psycho people ((I love psycho people)) choose to be a part of).  I share another voice message (that at the time, I saved in my phone as "pep talk be you do you f**k others") I recorded from the trip that starts with me feeling really unsettled in my body, questioning WTF I am doing with my life. And then, by the end of it, I'm delivering an animated pep talk to myself about how fucking weird I am, but that's okay, and suppressing our weird is what causes our pain. It makes me LOL and I hope it makes you LOL too. Or get hyped. Or both. Enjoy!  More musings and mentoring here: http://kendallperiod.com

Today's plog is a journeyyyy. I start off sitting in a chair, looking up in the stars, sharing where I'm at in life and what exactly is a “plog.” I  then tell the story of when I was playing pro soccer, dealing with severe concussion symptoms, and participated in an intensive stay at a concussion clinic. At the end of the clinic, I meet with the doctor who revealed to me some results on my brain scan that completely changed my life as I knew it. I inserted the actual conversation w/ this doc, as well as other raw audio messages.  Heads up, I cry. This is saying a lot, considering that I was a clogged sink when it came to emotions at the time. I then go back to the stars and share a bit more about the unconventional healing route I've gone on to step further into my fullest expression and to heal my physical concussion symptoms. My website: www.arrowliving.com

In today's episode I interview brave human being and pro soccer player Sydney Miramontez.  Sydney and I met playing for the Utah Royals together. Before a few weeks ago we had no idea that, at the time, we were both secretly struggling with our own eating disorders.  In our conversation, Sydney opens up about her unhealthy relationship to food and exercise. She shares how it all started and tools that helped her to work through it. I personally am most fascinated by the role that birth control played in her journey and how it wreaked havoc on her body.  She dives into how her own research and intuition led her to discover the pill's negative side effects and how much it just straight up sucks for women's hormones.  If you stick to the end, I was a sneaky lil beezy and continued recording our convo after our interview ended, and it gets juicyyyyy. We talk about the power of periods, how they are deeply misunderstood and could literally be utilized to teams' advantages. Sydney also shares about what it was like sharing her story publicly for the first time.   I'm so thankful for Syd's vulnerability.  I know there are so many female athletes who are struggling with their relationship to food, exercise, and their body, it's simply just not talked about.  If this is you, you are not alone!  Follow Sydney on instagram  Follow Arrow Living on instagram ArrowLiving.com

I hated my body, but now I love it and it weirds me out     Today's episode is a follow-up of my last one on how I healed my “disordered eating.” In particular, I dive deep into my tumultuous relationship to my body.   From bed-ridden concussion symptoms, to digestive issues, disordered eating, to hating what stared back at me in the mirror… my relationship to my body has been through the ringer. For so long, I viewed my body as the thing that was holding me back from doing the things I wanted to do in my life. I felt like a caged animal. A hermit crab, superglued to its shell, sporadically tortured by random emotional and physical sensations, with no place to escape.    When I started learning about the nervous system, everything changed.    In this episode I talk about: -why over-achieving affected my confidence in my body  -the misconception that being positive about your body is healing -going from hating my body to being at peace with it -how I'm losing weight working out less and eating more   And more.    Enjoy :) 

In today's episode, I go in depth about how about how I healed my "eating disorder'. I share how it all started, the shame I felt for binging in secret , resources that helped, and the book that changed my life and got me to the other side.  Read the written article HERE One on one mentoring HERE

I have something on my heart that I've wanted to share about  for years, but it felt too shameful to reveal while I was going through it.  I had binge eating disorder.  “Binge eating disorder” feels like three measly words that don't encapsulate the hell my body went through during this experience.  For 7 years, food consumed my life. What started with the pure intention to heal digestion issues, quickly and also slowly spiraled into being about so much more. Eating was about my livelihood.  I held this belief that if ate perfectly, then I would heal my concussion, I would get the body of my dreams, attract my soul mate and, most importantly, I would be able to get back to playing soccer like myself.  Food thoughts consumed my life. I attributed my lingering concussion symptoms to not being strict enough with my diets.  I know now, that this is complete and utter nonsense. But, fuck, when you're in it, it's a dark and shameful place.  Because you don't know why you can't stop your binging, especially when it's the thing you loathe about yourself the most. I've never felt more out of control.  I share this story with so much compassion for myself and anyone who resonates with it. I believe that disordered eating and body image issues are way way way more prominent than we know. Especially, in the female athletic world. I'll be sharing how I got to the other side in the future, but for now, here's a piece where I recount a day in the life of my eating disorder,  when I was in the thick of it.  Sending love to anyone who relates and I hope you know that every part of you is pure magic.  Link to read and/or listen to my story in the bio @arrowliving  xx Kendall 

Today on the podcast, I am so honored to have on one of the most influential people in my life, energy healer and masseuse, Jessica Shannon. I got introduced to Jessica when I was playing in Utah. A teammate's friend swore by her. At this point, I didn't know much about energy work, but I was willing to try anything to heal my concussion and get back to playing soccer.  In my first session, I was mind blown. Jessica was able to tell me things about myself that there's no way she would have known without having some sort of gift. I was astounded by her skills. This began my fascination with all things energy.  For the past few years, I've dove deep into the art of energy. Put simply, everything is made up of atoms which, at their core, are energy. So, it would make sense that focusing specifically on our energy would have profound effects.  I've seen several other energy workers over the years, but Jess remains my favorite.  If you're new to this work, I feel you, I was skeptical at first too. One of the things that draws me to Jess is her to deliver information in a really digestible way.  I'm stoked for you to learn about her and what she does!     In this episode, Jess talks about:  -the chakra system and how it's integral to our health  -the WILD miracle story about how energy work saved her daughter's life  -why energy work is powerful for athletes -her ability to read her clients “life contracts”(part of your purpose. Mine was spot on)  And more!   This one goes deeeep.  Enjoy!   Jess' website

I recently saw a tweet from a father of an 8 year old daughter who just found out she didn't make her softball team.  The first thing she said to her dad after she found out the news: “Alright dad grab your glove,  it's time to work even harder.” This tweet received thousands of retweets.  It rubbed me the wrong way.  Why?  Because working harder nearly destroyed me.  Working harder is wildly celebrated in our society and, as a kid,  I wanted more than anything to be celebrated.  Working harder was a coping mechanism for me because I subconsciously didn't believe I was good enough without it.  I thought working harder was the only way to reach my dreams.  Until, I discovered another way.  If you are working hard, thriving and truly happy, then fist bump to you, keep going!! I support you. This message isn't for you.  But, if you are someone who has worked your ass off and you haven't been getting the results you want or you feel like something is missing from this whole hard work=success puzzle, then, I feel you! I think you'll dig my latest podcast episode “‘why your hard work isn't paying off”  In the episode I talk about:  Why hard work isn't all that it's cracked up to be How to get what you want with less effort  Stories of how I attracted things in my life without hustling  The question I ask myself all the time to make things much easier for myself  And more.  I promise you, there is another way to go after your dreams with way less struggle and much more ease. 

In today's episode I interview U.S. Army lieutenant, former NFL linebacker, and motivational speaker Caleb Campbell.  I stumbled upon Caleb on instagram and was captivated by his words.  Caleb, a lifelong athlete, writes a lot about vulnerability, shame letting go, and finding where you belong in the world.  Caleb attended the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, and went on to play at West Point.  After an impressive senior season, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions. However, the day he was supposed to sign, a government policy was revoked and he had to report to the military for two years.  He attacked those two years with the attitude “I'm going to get into the best shape of my life”. After his service, Caleb re-joined the Lions. He later signed contracts with the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs.  Although it had been his childhood dream to play in the NFL, he found himself incredibly unhappy. I love that Caleb is vulnerable about his experiences and very openly talks about his shame.  He also coined a term that I'm obsessed with: “holy frustration”-when you know something isn't working and you need to let go but don't know what the eff is going to happen next.  How good is that?  In today's episode Caleb talks about:  dealing with the fear of feeling like you don't have what it takes to reach your dreams how putting all your significance and worth in your sport can debilitate you obsessing with doing more and being more and why it can be a detrimental, endless battle how he masked his own shame with ambition how one tweet caused him to pack up everything, move to Canada and be a janitor of a church for 3 years and work on figuring out who he is and where he belongs in the world (his “holy frustration”) And more! Caleb's website ArrowLiving.com

In today's episode, I interview one of the people who helped me out the most during one of the lowest points in my life: my therapist, Diane Ulicsni. When I had my first session with Diane, I had just stepped away from soccer and was in the depths of depression, and a foreign debilitating “stuckness.” Working with her gave me immense insight into why my body felt like it was shutting down. Time and time again, Diane has guided me through processing trauma associated with sports and other areas of my life. I have experienced massive levels of healing because of her.  Diane uses a combination of modalities (EMDR, brain spotting NLP, hypnosis, guided imagery, and EFT) to help athletes work through areas that are making them feel stuck, anxious, and/or confused.    In this episode, Diane talks about:  -where anxiety stems from and how to release it -why talk therapy doesn't work for a lot of people  -the emotional component of injuries that often causes people to get re-injured -how to be the boss of your emotions  -the unconventional way she helped stewardess overcome their fear of flying after 9/11 And more!   Link in bio @arrowliving to listen Diane's website: https://www.dianeu.com/

In today's episode I interview craniosacral, myofascial worker, physical therapist, AKA the healing wizard Christina Goodwill.  Have you ever met someone who when they touch you, you wonder if their hands are dipped in an angel's tears? Someone who reads into your soul, feels your energy, embraces your existence, and doesn't judge any part of you. Meet Christina Goodwill.  Chris combines her deep knowledge of anatomy with her gifted intuitive abilities in such a unique way that always leaves me so grateful to work with her.    In this episode, we talk about: -why athletes can get the same injury, but some take longer to heal than others  -what kind of athletes are the hardest to treat -recommendations for athletes to stay healthy  -how she sees colors, images, and past lives when working with patients, and how that helps her communicate with their body -why gentle touch can be more effective than firm touch like sports massage  -the time I was told I had an ulcer, and I walked away from one session with Chris completely pain free  -her belief that most injuries have an energetic component that needs to be addresses in order to fully heal And more!

In today's episode, I interview meditation teacher and former professional soccer player Sam Lofton.  I first met Sam playing with the Portland Thorns. We bonded over the fact that we were both obsessed with finding (often unconventional) ways to maximize our performance on the field and off.  Sam played soccer and studied Health Science with a pre-med track at James Madison University. After college, she was picked 20th overall in the 2015 NWSL College Draft by the Boston Breakers, making her the first James Madison University player ever to be drafted by a NWSL team. In 2016, she played for the Portland Thorns. She also played overseas in Sweden for Sunnana SK and in Iceland for Breiðablik UBK. While playing professionally, Sam discovered meditation and it changed her life.  Through her business “Meditation by Sam” {https://www.meditationbysam.com/sign-up-control-and-create )she teaches athletes how to gain control of their minds and their lives.    In this episode Sam talks about: -her all-time favorite hacks for improving performance  -how meditation helped her be confident playing against Tobin Heath -why visualizing  is so powerful for athletes specifically  -tips if you are a beginner meditator  -common misconceptions about mindfulness And, she guides us through a quick meditation! You'll walk away from this episode feeling the zen. 

In today's episode, I interview Icelandic national team midfielder Gunny Jonsdottir.   The second oldest of seven siblings, Gunny grew up a very independent person.  In 3rd grade, she moved from Iceland to America and picked up soccer. She quickly found comfort in the sport and has been playing ever since then.  Gunny made her debut for the Icelandic national team in Euro 2013 qualifying. She is a regular member of the Icelandic national team. Gunny played 2 years with Utah Royals FC, playing every minute of the 2018 NWSL season and scoring Utah's first goal in club history.   In today's episode, Gunny talks about: -how she deals with her anxiety  -the cool story of how she learned to speak english  -why she prefers Iceland to America -what it was like coming back from 3 ACL tears -how soccer forces you to be vulnerable  -her passion for helping people who have autism  And more.

In today's episode I interview blogger, two-time U.S. National Team rower, and 2019 World Champion in Lightweight Women's pair, Cara Stawicki. I was first drawn to Cara after reading her blog [carastawicki.com]. In her posts, Cara opens up about her struggles and provides incredible resources aimed at supporting and inspiring female athletes. I highly recommend taking a peak at it!  Cara started out as a competitive swimmer; she didn't start rowing until college at Lehigh University. Her senior year, she was captain of womens' varsity crew, most valuable female rower, and Lehigh University's athlete of the year  . She also found success in the classroom, earning a BA in Journalism and Political Science and an MA in Political Science.  Years of hard work, discipline, and relentless drive earned her a spot on the U.S National rowing team.  Despite her success, one of her biggest struggles was confidence in her abilities as an athlete and competitor. In 2018, she went through a huge mental shift. She started working with a high performance coach who helped her develop the mental part of her game, and she started learning through others--using things like athlete blogs, podcasts, and books.     In today's episode Cara talks about: -The most critical component of being a top athlete -How writing helps her show up her best in her sport -Where her incessant desire to learn comes from-including he recommended books and podcasts -Her process of developing confidence  -How life experience has made her a better athlete at 37 than she was in her 20s. -“Confidence is a learned skill that you can develop overtime.”    And more!   Resources Follow Cara on instagram Follow Arrow Living on instagram Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE  A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE

Do you struggle with sleep? If so, you know it's kinda like taking off a sweatshirt when you're sweaty AF and your arm gets stuck in the sleeve and you kinda wanna die, but the harder you try to fix it  the worse it gets.  You need sleep not only to maximize performance, but also to be able to function throughout your day. And in my case, to be a tolerable human being to be around.  During the onset of my concussion,  I struggled with years of severe insomnia. I tried counting sheep, hippos, penguins, pigeons…all the animals, but it didn't do squat. I have attempted everything under the sun and the moon to restore my circadian rhythms and finally, I can say I sleep pretty dang consistently (I still have some rough nights, but I'm very pleased with my progress). Sleep is something I will never ever take for granted again.   In this episode, I talk about: -the hacks that have had the greatest impact on my sleep -the ONE thing that was a game changer for my shuteye -my go-to evening routine that gets me feelin' zen -what I do when I have nights where I struggle to sleep  -how to function during the day when you aren't well rested And more! I hope some of the methods provide you with a little bit of relief.  Sweeeeet dreams Resources: Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical contentHERE  A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athleteHERE Brain Waves binaural beats app  Earth Pulse PEMF Spectrum blue light blocking glasses  Mustard Bath  Spoonk acupressure mat  

In today's episode, I interview mom of two, pro soccer player, World Cup champion, and 2x Olympic gold medalist Amy Rodriguez. If you've ever seen Amy play, she's a feisty, sneakyyy mom (said in the tone of the kid from that viral Jimmy Kimmel youtube video).  She's got a special fire every time she steps on the pitch.  In highschool, Amy was a top recruit and was named the Gatorade player of the year. Her senior year, she made her first appearance for the US National team.She went on to play at USC, where she played a vital role in helping them win their first NCAA championship.  After college, her career continued to flourish. She won gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. The next year she gave birth to her first child, missed the entire year, then made a quick comeback to help the US win the World Cup in 2015.  Since then, Amy has brought another beautiful child into the world, but upon her comeback she tore her ACL. Being the resilient sneaky mom that she is, Amy made a full comeback and now currently plays for and captains the Utah Royals FC. She fulfills all of her team duties,  while also being a mom to a 6 and 3 year-old boy. Talk about Superrrr mom!  In today's episode, Amy talks about: her crazy, unconventional lifestyle of balancing being a mom and a professional soccer player  how having kids has benefited her both on the field and off  the childhood setback that pushed her to the next level personal stories from being one of the best players in the US the mantra that has helped her through the highest pressure moments in her career the characteristics that she believes allowed her to thrive in her sport And more!   Resources: Follow Amy on instagram Follow Arrow Living on instagram Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE  A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE  

In today's episode I interview former Portland Thorns goalkeeper and racial justice activist Emily Kruger.  Emily is someone I really admire because as a pro athlete, she went all in on the social causes that she  was passionate about, even if it wasn't “popular.” I am constantly learning from Emily about how I can be of better service to the world and educate myself about my privilege.  Emily attended UC Berkeley, where she first became really aware of her privilege. From there, she unexpectedly joined the Portland Thorns and continued learning and standing up for social issues.    In today's episode, Emily talks about:  -the backlash she received from teammates and coaches when she proposed linking arms during the national anthem -how our unwillingness to be uncomfortable or feel like a “bad” person prevents us from dealing with problems like racism -how to expand sports to be more inclusive -how her interactions with police officers was very different than black people in the same city -advice for someone to take when they're first unpacking their white privilege -race being the “great connector” of so many other important issues (LGBTQ, capitalism, climate change)   Resources: Follow Emily on instagram Follow Arrow Living on instagram Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE  

In this episode, we are keeping it rollinnnnnn with part 2 of the interview with deep thinker, incessant learner, former NFL player Elvis Akpla.    Last week, Elvis gave us a look into the neglected parts of American history and how he believes we can end racism.    Today, he tells his fascinating personal story from growing up in poverty to finding a way to be successful and happy.     Elvis has a pretty incredible and challenging background that has helped shape him into the man he is today.    In this episode, Elvis talks about:    -The stark differences in racism between his home town and Africa and the United States -Why he frequently slept over at 10+ different family friends throughout high school  -The key ingredient that helped him overcome poverty and be successful -How being an athlete protected him a bit from racism -The last minute track and field scholarship her earned that eventually led him to the NFL  -The importance of athlete's using their platform to share their voice    And more.   Resources Follow Arrow Living on instagram Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE  A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE   Share the love If you feel compelled, I would be so very grateful if you took two minutes to leave me a review of the podcast. Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

New podcast episode with the deep thinking, passionate, former pro football player Elvis Akpla.    Elvis is one of the most curious, intellectual, constantly-expanding guys I know. Like, we're talking photographic memory, constantly engaging in thought provoking convos, and will talk your ear off-in the best way- about the stuff that lights him up.     Today he brings that fire to offers his unique perspective on the neglected parts of American history, and how he believes we can end racism and reconcile people who have different opinions than our own.    Elvis was born in Dakar Senegal on the west coast of Africa. At a young age, his single mom and him moved to the United States-the first place he ever experienced racism.    Elvis' mom made sacrifice on sacrifice on sacrifice to ensure he received a good education. He ended up earning a last minute scholarship for track and field at University of Oregon. Freshman year, he walked on to the football team. He later transferred to Montana State where he became an All-American and graduated with a degree in cellular biology and neuroscience. After college, he had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, b and is currently earning two masters degree in Special Education and Biomedical Sciences.    Elvis is full of knowledge and is just getting started. Shoutout to his beautiful fiancé Kara who low key to high key is his better half :) .    This interview is split into two parts.   In this episode (Part 1), Elvis talks about:    The, often neglected in school, historical context that has led black people to be so oppressed today How the American constitution was created by slave-owners and was built for English slave-owning settlers  Why blaming others for oppression is the worst way to create change  The slogan “Make America Great Again,” and poses the question when was America ever great?  Why educational opportunities is a key component to ending Black oppression    And more! Resources:  Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE  A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE  

In today's episode I interview cat lover, sci-fi fantasy aficionado, 2x World Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist, Becky Sauerbrunn.  Y'all, no two ways about it, Becky is a baller. She is one of the most consistent players in the game of soccer. But, one of my favorite things about Becky is how she just straight up does her. She doesn't change who she is to fit in. She speaks her opinion, about sometimes difficult topics, And she stands up for others. She is one of those leaders who leads by example and treats everyone with respect. I think that's why she's admired so much by all of her teammates.  Becky was born in St Louis Missouri. She played basketball and volleyball, but always knew soccer was her number one love.  Becky played at the University of Virginia, then went to the pro level and currently represents the USWNT.  She has played professionally for the Washington Freedom, magicJack, DC United, Utah Royals FC, Roa IL, FC Kansas City, where she won't two NWSL championships. She is now a Portland Thorn, which is lovely because Portland is the place she calls home.  In the NWSL, she has earned the NWSL best 11 every single year and is a 4x defender of the year.  Becky is a regular call-up for the national team. Like I said, she is a  2x World Cup Champion and an Olympic gold medalist. She captained the team from 2016-2018 and is currently the president of USWNT Players Association. She is huge advocate for equal pay.   And I just want to reiterate she is a freakin' good human being.  In today's episode, Becky talks about -how, as an introvert, she has trained her whole life for this quarantine  -what sets national team players apart from other players (hint: not a lot)  -dealing with having a huge dream, but so much of it being out of your control -the story of a youth national team coach telling her she had no speed or presence, and how she turned those “weaknesses” into strengths  -why she named her cats Missy Elliott and Olive Oil -owning her nerdiness  -what it was like when she opened a letter from her idol, Ruth Bader Ginsburg  -her belief in aliens  And more!   Resources Register for Free Webinar      Mustard bath   Burrito Folding Technique     Follow Becky on instagram Follow Arrow Living on instagram Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE  A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE

Writing is my release. Whenever I need to vomit out of my thoughts, I place my phalanges (lol what a word) on my computer keys and let them type away. It's not pretty. I typically swear a lot because that's just how I am and I don't give a fuck who's going to read it. It's for me and only me to process things. In this week's podcast episode and blog, I have released a completely unfiltered raw journal entry from 7 months into my concussion recovery, and first time I decided to let go of soccer, but the Universe wouldn't let me.  That day was one of the most insane days of my entire life.  And it was my first glimpse into the power of truly surrendering. A single phone call caused a complete 180 degree shift in my perspective. Before the call, I was 100% convinced that I was going to do whatever it took to make a full comeback. After the call, I had this instant, unexpected realization that I didn't care about coming back to play pro soccer, I was over feeling like shit every day, and just wanted to feel like myself again.  I truly, with every fiber in my being let go of coming back and rested in this knowing that I would be okay, even if I never played soccer ever again. The sudden mindset change, itself was wild, but then, the next day, something Tiger-Level wild happened. Which led me to healing more in week than I had in the entire 7 months since my initial concussion. And I ended up not leaving soccer.  Surrendering is some powerful punch. yall. I encourage you to drink it.   Resources:  Backend Editing Application form Read written article Arrow Living instagram  

In today's episode I interview WNBA Atlanta Dream player Elizabeth Williams on playing a game with no fans (b/c of COVID-19),  the value of education, and her love of jeopardy.   Elizabeth's parents were born and raised in Nigeria. After getting married, they moved to England so her dad could enroll in pre-med classes. While there, Elizabeth was born, and shortly after, they moved to the United States.    Elizabeth started playing basketball because a family friend mentioned that Elizabeth's tall stature could make the sport a good fit for her. So, Elizabeth joined a team and ended up loving it. Eventually, she found a trainer who turned into a mentor, and got her to believe that she could be really good at this basketball thing.    Throughout her childhood, her parents, both in the medical field, instilled the importance of education.   Elizabeth decided to go to Duke to challenge herself both off and on the court. While at Duke, she studied pre-med with the intention to become a surgeon. On the court, Elizabeth earned National Freshman of the Year and NCAA Defensive Player of the Year honors She set school records for blocking shots, and was the first duke player to be named AP all American her first two years.    After college, Elizabeth continued her career into the WNBA. She has earned accolades as WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year and is a 2017 WNBA All-Star. She has played overseas in Turkey, China and Russia, and has represented the US at the U-16-U-19 levels.   Elizabeth was playing overseas in Turkey when the COVID outbreak began, forcing the league to cancel their season.   In our conversation, Elizabeth talks about: -what it was like playing a game with no fans (because of COVID-19) -why she watches jeopardy every night -the time she sat in on an 8 hour spinal surgery -what it was like being an WNBA all-star -her passion for education and the importance of getting kids involved in STEM -the game she blocked 3 shots in one possession  -how she's gotten to level 5,000 of Candy Crush   And more!   Resources: Follow Elizabeth on instagram Follow Arrow Living on instagram Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE   

In today's podcast, I interview the technical soccer goddess, Yael Averbuch.    I first knew of Yael from afar, as I watched her YouTube videos that she posted of her dribbling and juggling drills. And I was like ‘damnnnn this girl is a hard ass worker and she's got silky smooth touches that make me feel things.'    We recently got to know each other through a mutual friend and we bonded over the fact that we are both, what I like to call, “semi psycho obsessive human beings.” Or fully psycho, depending on who you're talking to. People who are obsessive about their dreams are my kind of people.    If you're one of those people, I know this episode will resonate. Come join the club.    Yael won two NCAA college cups with the North Carolina Tarheels. She has won three championships during her pro career with Sky Blue FC, Western New York flash, and FC Kansas City. She's also played overseas in Russia, Sweden, and Cyprus.    Yael has played for US at at every level of the youth national teams and represented the full team from 2007 to 2013.   In 2018, Yael was forced to step away from playing due to ulcerative colitis. Despite not currently being on the pitch, she is still heavily involved in the game. She is the executive director of the NWSL Players Association.  She is also the founder of Techne Futbol, a soccer training app that provides personal training for soccer players. I highly recommend checking the app out…like I said her touches make me feel things.   In our conversation, Yael talks about:  her addiction to being productive  how positive things done in excess, can go to far why she enjoys not being good at things  her process of mastery  the one thing she would do differently, if she could go back and redo her national team career again  the intimate details of her battle with ulcerative colitis and what this illness has taught her about herself   And more.    Resources: Yael's instagram Techen Futbol's instagram  ArrowLiving.com 

In today's episode, I interview Ellevest Financial Advisor and former pro soccer player Kate Krieger.  Kate works for Ellevest, a booming start-up investing platform dedicated towards redefining investing for women. Ellevest's mission is to close the gender investing gap and get more money into the hands of women.  I like the sound of that.   And so does Kate.  Kate played pro soccer for Seattle Reign FC, Iceland, Germany, before feeling it was time to move onto something else. She had no idea what that “something else” was.  It was through connections from her athletic career that she stumbled upon finance. She quickly found this career path to be a great fit for her as an athlete because it's highly competitive, fast paced, you get to make relationships with people, and there is no ceiling to what you can accomplish. Speaking of competitive, Kate got married last year and competed in a triathlon a week before her wedding and beat her husband (who is also a very competitive athlete). Girl powaaa.   That same year, she landed her financial advising position for Ellevest. I highly recommend checking out Ellevest's insta-they are constantly putting out $$$ resources (insta lives, answering questions, posting articles) to educate women all about money.  In our conversation Kate talks about:   -why women are afraid to talk about money (there's a stat that shows we would rather talk about our own deaths and sex than money!) and how we can change that  -why women need to invest differently than men and how to do it -tips on how to ask for what you are worth  -the basics of investing and how you can take steps today to get dat bread  -books, podcasts, and resources to up your $$$ game  And more!    Resources: Follow Ellevest on instagram Check out Ellevest website  Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE   

In this episode, I interview firefighter, former professional soccer player, and farmer Keelin Winters Pattillo.  Keelin is a force of nature. It appears as though everything she touches turns into a success. I believe Keelin accomplishes whatever she puts her mind to because she's one the most disciplined people I know.  Keelin grew up living in a multitude of cities around the US, as her father was a NBA coach and was constantly on the move. Although her 5 siblings chose to dedicate themselves to basketball, the sport wasn't physical enough for Keelin. So, she chose to play soccer.  Keelin went on to play at University of Portland, earning West Coast Conference Player of the Year. She won a goal medal in the U-20 World Cup. She was drafted 6th overall in the WPS to the Boston Breakers. She's played overseas with FFC Turbine Potsdam in Germany and the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia. She played four years with Seattle Reign FC, winning two NWSL Shields, for finishing 1st in regular season play. She also earned a contract with full US national team.  On most of those teams, she wore the captains armband, a testament to Keelin's supreme focus and leadership skills.    In this episode we talk about,  -why she chose to spend her honeymoon with her wife Paige living in a camper van while playing in Australia  -what it was like having five siblings, a disciplinarian mom, and an NBA-coaching dad -how she's in even better shape than when she was playing professionally because of living on a farm -her decision to get dreadlocks in college and how they helped her find herself  -the make-you or break-you pressure of US national team camp  -why she retired even though she was in her prime -the advise her sports psychologist gave her that helped immensely when she was feeling burnt out  And more!    Resources Follow Keelin HERE Join Friday Feelz HERE  A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE  Share the love If you feel compelled, I would be so very grateful if you took two minutes to leave me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

Yall, if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that “obsessive athlete” and “being told to hunker down” do not belong in the same sentence. Quarantine has the potential to be an athlete's worst nightmare. But it doesn't have to be. There are so many different ways to continue growing physically, emotionally, and mentally during this time. I'm excited to share my insights.    Yall, if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that “obsessive athlete” and “being told to hunker down” do not belong in the same sentence. Quarantine has the potential to be an athlete's worst nightmare. But, it doesn't have to be. There are so many different ways to continue growing physically, emotionally, and mentally during this time. I'm excited to share my insights.    In this episode I talk about:   why the advise “be positive!” makes me want to vomit how to process the fear of missing out on big games, tournaments, trainings etc. helpful questions to ask yourself during this uncertain time incredible online resources I've found to continue exercising (if you feel called) tools I use to determine what my body really needs for me    And more!   Just so you know, whatever you are feeling is valid as fudgsicles on a hot summer free-to-roam-wherever-you-want kind of day. Sending you lots of love

In today's episode I interview Portland Thorns goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom. Britt is a really special soul. If you ever meet her, you'll instantly feel her positive vibes. She is someone who is always down for adventure and incredibly open and accepting of everyone she meets. Britt grew up in Maryland. In high school, she ran cross country and played soccer. She then committed to Penn State. Britt captained the team her senior year and led them to win an NCAA championship-which she considers the greatest accomplishment of her career thus far.  Britt was then drafted to the Western New York Flash, and later traded to the Portland Thorns, where she won an NWSL championship.  She's also played overseas in Australia with the Newcastle Jets, where she was a nominee for the leagues Player of The year.  In our convo we talk about: -why she likes putting herself in uncomfortable situations  -her newfound competitive ping pong career -the wild story of how the day before she was leaving for her first professional season, her family house burnt down. She reflects on how she dealt with losing nearly everything she owned -why spending her off days hiking is one of the best things for her playing career -what it means to be in a flow state -the reason she always drives with her windows rolled down, regardless of the weather  And lots more!  To subscribe to the podcast click HERE To join Friday Feelz click HERE  To check out the latest of Arrow Living click HERE

We back!!!  In this episode, I talk about what you can except with the podcast moving forward, what I've been up to, and I read the most vulnerable piece I have written about my love-hate relationship with soccer and my decision to step away from it for now. relationship with it.    To subscribe to the podcast click HERE To join Friday Feelz click HERE  To read written article click HERE  To check out the latest of Arrow Living click HERE 

In today's episode I interview professional windsurfer Sarah Hauser.  Sarah grew up in New Caledonia, a French Island, east of Australia and North of New Zealand. with a population of 300,000 people, She started windsurfing at 13, and knew that no matter what she had to do it as much as possible.  When Sarah was 18 she went to France for 5 years to earn her masters degree in computer science. At 23, Sarah was now able to work for big companies, but nothing excited her as much as windsurfing. She decided to fly to Maui alone and enter a windsurfing competition. Sarah had not competed in 5 years, but she ended up getting 5th place and caught the attention of sponsors. Over the next couple years, Sarah gradually took extended trips to Hawaii. She competed in more competitions, met her future husband, and eventually made officially moved to Hawaii to pursue her dream.  Since turning pro in 2015, Sarah is a 2x International Windsurfing Tour Champion, and 3x Windsurfer of the Year. In our conversation Sarah talks about  -the high altitude training she does on the top of 10,000 ft high volcanoes  -her strategy for when she gets washing-machined by a wave -what compels her to ride waves that are big enough to kill her -why she believes people connect so strongly with the ocean -the multiple jobs she works on the island to fund her athletic career -her tip for people overcoming their fear of getting pounded by the ocean  -the Bob Marley song she sings when she needs to calm her nerves on the waves And more.    Enjoy my conversation with the fearless, dream-chasing, Sarah Hauser  Shownotes and resources can be found at arrowliving.com/sarahhauser 

In today's episode, I interview World Cup Champion, US national soccer team member, Portland Thorns FC defender,  Meghan Klingenberg.  When Meghan was thirteen years old, her mom pulled her out of middle school. The two of them road tripped to University of North Carolina to see the women's soccer team play for the first time. After that game, Meghan began writing letters to the head coach Anson Dorrance, expressing her interest in playing for his team. Her dreams of becoming a Tarheel came true, and her career accelerated from there. After college, Meghan was drafted to the Women's Professional Soccer league. She received her first call up to the full national team in 2011 and became a mainstay from then on out. In 2012, she just missed out on the Olympics roster, and went to London as an alternate. This experience created a huge paradigm shift for Meghan. She knew that if she wanted to be on the team, then she had to be different than everyone else. So she opted to head overseas to Sweden and play with some of the best players in the world.  Meghan unconventional path paid-off, and in 2015, she started every match in the World Cup, and helped the team win gold.  She currently plays for the Portland Thorns, who won the NWSL championships last season In our conversation, Meghan talks about  -her insanely competitive family, and how a Disney Trivia game night turned into family members shunning each other for days  -her involvement with the USWNT Players Association and standing up for equal pay -how she deals with the pressure of US national team camps -the value she has found in seeing a therapist -her approach for dealing with haters on social media  -how she became Edie's (Portland Thorns head coach, Mark Parson's daughter) special friend And more.  Enjoy my conversation with the lively, confident Meghan Klingenberg.     Resources Click HERE to join the Arrow Living Book Club  Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe ever female athlete MUST read. Click HERE  to be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other exclusive content Follow Meghan Klingenberg www.meghanklingenberg.com On Instagram: @meghankling On twitter: @meghankling

In today's episode, I read a piece I wrote titled My First Experience with Psychedelic Drugs as a Professional Athlete "When I was a twelve year-old aspiring professional soccer player,  I distinctly remember watching a commercial where a narrator sternly announced “this is your brain.” An image of a soccer ball popped onto the screen.  A couple seconds later, the narrator even more fervently added  “this is your brain on drugs.” A football appeared.  There was no way in hell I was going to risk losing my soccer ball. My entire life, I viewed drugs as the devil. Until, September 25th,  2015, when everything changed.  I was driving alone to Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon, listening to an episode of the Tim Ferriss Show podcast. He was interviewing..." to continue reading full story CLICK HERE    Resources  Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe ever female athlete MUST read. Click HERE  to be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other exclusive content      

In today's episode I interview professional soccer player and Duktig brand co-founder Tiffany Weimer.   Tiffany is a goal scoring machine. At North Haven High School in Connecticut, she scored 109 goals. At Penn State University, she netted 91 goals and holds the NCAA record for most consecutive games with goals scored with a total of 17. She earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, was a Mac Herman Trophy runner up, the Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year, and Top Drawer Soccer Player of the Year.   Tiffany has played professionally for 10 years with stints in Finland, Brazil, Sweden, Denmark, and the US.   In the NWSL she's played with the Portland Thorns, Washington Spirit, Boston Breakers, and is currently with the Houston Dash.   Tiffany was the kind of kid that named her soccer ball and slept with it at night. Her involvement in soccer extends beyond the pitch. Tiffany utilized her journal degree and became the founder and Editor-In-Chief of Our Game Magazine, a women's soccer quarterly magazine. After 5 years, she decided to part ways, and recently co-founded The DuKtig Brand which provides planners to help players and coaches to be more organized, prepared, and professional at every level.   In our conversation we talk about:   -her appearance on The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 playing soccer with Blake Lively -the creative ways she makes money to be able to fund her career as a professional female athlete -why she felt she went about her college recruiting process entirely wrong -what she learned from playing overseas in Brazil and Finland -how journaling her training sessions helps her understand herself better. -the negative effects she believes GPS numbers and sports science has on players -how being a practice player further improved and enhanced her love for the game -the mental training app that she uses in the morning   And more.     Enjoy my conversation with the soccer-obsessed, journal-er Tiffany Weimer     Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe ever female athlete MUST read. Click HERE  to be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other exclusive content Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode I interview Canadian national team goalkeeper and Olympic medalist, Erin McLeod. Erin's obsession with competing in the Olympics  began at childhood in Alberta, Canada. Despite doubters, Erin was convinced it was going to happen. It did. And more. Erin has represented Canada in three World Cups, and two Olympics, earning a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. She is now seen as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.  Erin's talents extend beyond the soccer field. She is a tattoo artist, the co-founder of the clothing line company Motive Collective, the creator of Motive Nation (providing content and resources for people striving more more), the wife of pro-footballer Ella Masar,  and the mother to two chihuahuas,  among many other things. Through it all, Erin has an insatiable hunger to grow, learn, evolve, and inspire.   In our conversation, Erin talks about -how her obsession with Wayne Gretzky and the Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles spurred her art career -the influence her art has on her goalkeeping -what it was like living and playing in Jakarta, Indonesia as a child during the riots -the risk scale, created by  Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, that she uses  to rate her days -her interaction with Lebron James at the Olympics -why her third ACL tear served as an opportunity to fall in love with the game again -the period-tracking app that she uses to enhance her performance on the field   And more.   Enjoy my conversation with the creative, never-ending learner Erin McLeod

In today's episode, I interview Adele Jackson Gibson. Adele is a Crossfitter, sports model, and editor for The Players Tribune editor, (one of my favorite sports athlete news sources because it provides stories that come directly from the athletes, told by the athletes, as opposed to the media skewing their stories)  Adele played goalkeeper at Duke University.  She then attended New York University and earned a masters degree in journalism.  After college, Adele discovered crossfit and fell in love with how it allowed her to test her limits and give purpose to her workouts.  As you'll hear,  Adele is not afraid to be herself and is constantly pushing her boundaries.  In our conversation Adele talks about: -why she shaved her hair off and moved to Japan  -how crossfit gave her confidence to embrace her muscular, sprinter-type body -her experience entering a Miss America beauty pageant and how she was treated different based on her physical appearance   Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe ever female athlete MUST read. Click HERE  to be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other exclusive content -why she believes that it's a misconception that you need to work hard  -how modeling influences her confidence  -why she believes no one should have to worry about money EVER -the book that changed her entire perspective on life   and more.  Enjoy my conversation with the insightful, growth-seeking Adele Jackson Gibson   

In today's episode I read a piece I wrote reflecting upon the realization that I had 11 days left to spend with my dog out of his entire life, and how acknowledging death has allowed me to process being released from the Portland Thorns.  Death is one of the few things in life that is 100% certain. It's unavoidable. Yet we treat it like it's not just the elephant in the room, but the largest tyrannosaurus rex of the kingdom.  It's as if we think that acknowledging it will somehow bring us down faster. To read written piece with pictures CLICK HERE  Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe every female athlete MUST read.    

In today's episode I interview Mexico national team goalkeeper Bianca Henninger. Bianca attended Santa Clara University and currently plays club soccer for the Houston Dash. Growing up, Bianca was a frequent member of the youth U.S National Teams. In 2010, she received the US Soccer Young Female Athlete Award. She recently made the switch to the Mexico National team. Bianca is a fierce competitor on the field, but very easygoing and lighthearted off of it. In her free time you'll find Bianca cheering on her hometown Bay Area teams, walking up and down streets snapping photos of business signs, eating pizza, and obviously more.     In our conversation Bianca talks about: -the strategy she employs to get through tough workouts -the importance of finding the balance that's right for you -the deep connection she has with her two creative brothers, whom are a filmmaker and singer/songwriter -the effect stress has on your play -what spurred her decision to switch from the U.S to the Mexico national team -how she calms her over-active mind, which she claims could be a television show -why living in Houston has forced her to change her fashion style -her affinity for business signs (she's cool with Universal signs too, but she's a BIG FAN of the business signs) And more. Enjoy my conversation with the balance-seeking, sign-loving Bianca Henninger.   Resources Follow Bianca Henninger:  On Instagram: @benninger On twitter: @beeyoncs   Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe ever female athlete MUST read. Click HERE  to be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other exclusive content

In today's episode I interview professional softball player and founder of Be The Momentum  Emily Allard. Emily played college softball at Northwestern and continued on at the professional level with the Chicago Bandits, where her team has won two back to back championships. Emily is currently coming back from a concussion injury and is refreshingly open about her feelings of hopelessness and uncertainty of returning to play in the future. I really appreciated Emily's rawness. In our conversation Emily talks about: -how childhood bullying led her to fall in love with softball -where she gets the motivation to keep coming back after battling injuries for 6 years -why none of her teammates want to stand behind her in the autograph line -the Chicago Bandit's team culture that let them to back-to-back National Pro Fastpitch championship titles -the most unexpected and best place she traveled to with @BeTheMomentum,  a slapping program where she coaches across the country and empowers kids on and off the softball field -the gut-wrenching pain of not feeling like a part of the team while being injured and how she manages those feelings -her morning routine that must involve a Starbucks run And more. Enjoy my conversation with the high-spirited, kid-loving Emily Allard.   Resources Follow Emily and Be The Momentum:  Instagram: @eallard24 @be_themomentum  Twitter: @eallard24 @be_themomentum  BeTheMomentumSoftball.com  Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe ever female athlete MUST read. Click HERE  to be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other exclusive content

In today's conversation, I interview former professional soccer player, broadcaster for the Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League, and ACL Club founder, Jordan Angeli. Jordan tore her ACL twice while at Santa Clara. She recovered and entered the professional level in her best form, earning herself multiple  US National team call-ups. During her first game of the second season with the Boston Breakers, Jordan tore her ACL for the third time. Somewhat unexpectedly, and three years later, Jordan opted to make another comeback playing with the Washington Spirit and  Western New York Flash. In 2015, she opted to walk away from the game on her own terms. Jordan is now pursuing her passion on the other side of the lines, as a broadcaster. She also runs the ACL Club, a club that provides support and resources for athletes recovering from  ACL tears. I highly recommend checking out her website and her podcast Show Your Scars, where she interviews professional athlete about their own acl stories. In our conversation Jordan talks about: -why she proudly trained with a U11 girls team during her comeback form her 3rd ACL tear -the goal she envisioned scoring in the World Cup with her fellow Colorado Rush  Lindsey Horan, and how it came true in a different fashion -what it was like being a 6 year senior at Santa Clara -tools she used to help her manage her emotions while coming back from injury -the hike that spurred her decision to walk away from playing professional soccer -her go-to hairstyle for broadcasting And more. Enjoy my conversation with the passionate, connection-seeking Jordan Angeli Shownotes   Resources Follow Jordan Angeli and The ACL Club: theACLclub.com Show Your Scars Podcast  On Instagram: @jordangeli  @theaclclub On twitter: @jordangeli   Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe ever female athlete MUST read. Click HERE  to be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other exclusive content

In today's episode, I interview my mother,  Ann Johnson. I often get asked by parents about what their kid needs to do to make it to the next level. I believe the driving force must come from the kid, but parents can have a huge impact on a child's well-being. My mom is one of my biggest supporters and is a big reason I am where I am today. She's also a freak of nature athlete and can kick my butt in workouts.In our conversation we talk about-her favorite type of workouts, including one that can easily be done at home -why she didn't get involved with coaches decisions, even if she disagreed  -the most challenging aspect of parenting a female athlete    -her stance on kids playing multiple sports vs specializing on one -why parenting athletes is like being a full time chauffeur    -the delicious meals she cooked for my teammates and the crazy games she had us play while w/ the Portland Pilots, Sky Blue FC, and the Portland Thorns  And more. Enjoy my conversation with my favorite mother in the whole wide world.   Share the love Follow Ann Johnson: On Instagram:  @annclairej If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode, I interview former professional soccer player and humanitarian Elli Reed.  Throughout her career, Elli played seasons in Boston, Seattle, Sweden, Germany and Australia. Over the years, Elli's passion for giving back to her community has strengehtened. She continues to use her platform to support causes she believe in. Elli and I recently partook in a trip with the nonprofit Crooked Trails to help construct a soccer field in the remote village of Vicos, Peru. In our conversation talk about:-how this Peru trip changed her outlook on life and her future aspirations-why she thinks Vicos, Peru completely curbed her anxiety about everyday worries -Schooling little boys in pick-up soccer on the street -Dealing with the ups and downs of athletics and her ever-changing relationship with soccer -The documentary she watched that influenced her decision to go vegan -Her go-to artists that get her to drop it low on the dance floor  And more. Enjoy my conversation with the nature-loving, traveler Elli Reed.   Share the love Follow Elli Reed  On Twitter:  @ellireed On Instagram:  @ellireed If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode I interview Wild Friends cofounders Keeley Tollitson and Erika Welsh. Keeley and Erika's nut butter company was born one afternoon, in their University of Oregon dorm room. As life-long athletes, Keeley and Erika shared an affinity for peanut butter's convenient, healthy, and delicious profile. One day, they decided to concoct their own peanut butter. Their creation received hype from friends, the farmers, the Eugene farmers market, and local stores. After an appearance on the television show Shark Tank, they decided to drop out of college and focus all their efforts on their business. Six years later, Wild Friends is now one of the fastest growing nut butters in the nation, raking in 7 million dollars in sales. In 2017, they were featured on Forbes 30 under 30 for food and drink.   In our conversation we talk about -how being athletes has greatly influenced their business decisions -why they chose to drop-out of college -the advantage of having absolutely no idea what you are doing -what it's really like to be on Shark Tank -their vow to fulfill my dream of swimming in a pool of nut butter (yup, I'm weird) -Portland's November Project, a free fitness movement led by Keeley (if you're in the Portland I highly recommend checking  And more. Wild Friend's nut butter, are legit my fave nut butter (particularly the peanut butter cashew superbutter) This isn't an ad. I just love them. The nut butters. And Keeley and Erika. But mostly the nut butters (jk). Enjoy my conversation with the badass nut butter bosses Keeley and Erika.     Share the love Follow Wild Friends, Keely, and Erika: On Twitter:  @2wildfriends , @KeelyTillotson  On Instagram: @wildfriends,  @keely_t , @erikawelsh12 If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode, I interview professional long distance runner Emily Infeld.  Emily was one of the first women to join Jerry Schumacher's Portland-based running group, the Bowerman Track Club, which encompasses some of the best runners in the world.   One of my favorite things about our conversation, is that despite Emily's bubbliness and positivity, she candidly shares her internal struggles-including when she suffered a stress fracture just months before the Olympic trials (the race she'd been training for the past four years). In her lowest state, after a couple weeks of coping via snarfing down peanut butter and bon bons in bed, Emily persevered by accepting where she was and giving her best on that given day. Her strategies worked as she competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics and earned a 3rd place in the World Championship finals. In our conversation, we talk about -The benefits of high altitude training and other running “hacks” -Her college track days (with Portland Thorns FC Emily Menges) -What it's like training with her childhood idols, Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher -Why she takes just one full day off every two months -How she recovers from training sessions And a lot more. Enjoy my conversation with the upbeat, very fast human Emily Infeld.     Show Notes :50 Who is Emily Infield? 3:10 The benefits of altitude training 6:57 What running hacks does Emily use? Cyrotherapy 8:20 Has Emily always known how to rest her body? 10:24 Emily's recovery day 12:20 What does Emily do to release from the pressure of running? 13:50 Emily's ombre hair & baking 16:02 Emily Menges' Georgetown running 18:10 How did Emily choose Georgetown? 19:54 What other sports did young Emily participate in? 21:55 When did Emily start specializing in running? 23:15 Emily's first Olympic dream 24:40 Emily's path to the Bowerman Track Club 27:45 Her training partners:  Shalane Flanagan & Kara Goucher 29:39 What made the recruiting visit to Portland special? 30:52 Is Emily an analyzer or go with the flow personality? 31:49 Emily's 1st training session with her idols 33:50 What is the training team like? 34:50 Is everyone's training regime the same? 37:05 How helpful is training in a small team atmosphere? 39:12 World Championship experience 2015 42:23 How did she qualify for the Olympics? 43:37 Emily's stress fracture recovery 45:49 How did Emily emotionally react to her setbacks? 49:38 What did it feel like for Emily to run in the Olympics? 52:50 Balancing competitiveness, setbacks and the appreciation of the sport 55:37 How does Emily get thru a mediocre track workout? 57:06 What would Emily tell her 12 year old self? 58:41 What are the best ways to recover after a run? 59:53 What music does Emily listen to while she runs?  Her obsession with Blink 182 1:00:47 Is running a form of mindfulness for Emily? 1:02:10 Emily's morning routine 1:03:21 What body or mental prep does Emily do before training? 1:04:26 Biggest misconception that people have about Emily? 1:06:26 How does Emily get herself out of mental slumps? 1:08:12 Emily's favorite failure 1:11:20 What is Emily's favorite accomplishment? 1:13:38 What is Emily's one simple tip for female athletes?   Follow Emily: On Twitter: @emily_infeld On Instagram: @EmilyInfeld   Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode I reflect upon my experience playing for my hometown team, and one of the best women's club teams in the world, Portland Thorns FC.  Representing the Rose City will always hold a special place in my heart and I'll remember it forever and ever and ever. Thanks to everyone who has been a part of my journey thus far. Much love Portland!   Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode, I interview Australian national soccer team member, Caitlin Foord. Caitlin grew up a 2 minute walk from the beach in Lake Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia. Before Caitlin took up soccer, she participated in athletics, touch football, and surf life saving. At age 9, Caitlin played in her first soccer game at age and scored 6 goals. She hasn't stopped netting goals since. Caitlin scored a goal in her first appearance with the Matildas. At 16,, she was the youngest Australian player to play in a World Cup and was voted the Best Young Player of the tournament. Caitlin has played in the the Australian W-league with Sydney FC and Perth Glory, in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) with Sky Blue FC, and is is currently playing in the Japan Women's Football League  with the Vengalta Sendai Ladies.   In our conversation, we talk about -the biggest differences between playing in Japan, USA, and Australia -the times she had to sell chocolate bars at school to afford to go to soccer tournaments -the sacrifices her mom, a single parent, made to help Caitlin pursue soccer -why Caitlin hates warming-up -her experience with being burned-out from soccer, and the strategy she used to fall back in love with her sport -why she thinks the Matildas' world ranking has continued to rise -her love affair with music festivals, her dog Peach, and Chipotle And more. Enjoy, my conversation with Caitlin Foord!   Show Notes :48 Who is Caitlin Foord  Sky Blue FC 2:50 Caitlin's adjusting to the Japanese culture 6:40 Caitlin's Japanese team - Vegalta Sendal 7:24 How does Japanese soccer style compare to US/Australian? 11:40 Cailtin's early soccer travel and struggles of homesickness 16:00 Cailtlin's childhood home,  Illawarra 17:40 Cailtin's young star in soccer v. touch football 21:55 Her mom's single parent support and selling chocolate bars to pay for      tournaments 27:23 Australian Nat'l team call up at 16 years old. 32:10 Cailtin's favorite game 35:38 Her ability to separate soccer from other aspects of her life 40:29 Has she ever been burnt out from soccer? 43:20 Are their training things that Cailtin doesn't like? 45:29 Caitlin's morning routine Brittney Cameron @bcam00 47:01 Caitlin's free time activities 48:15 Caitlin's biggest misconception about herself 50:28 Is Caitlin a go with the flow athlete or an overthinker? 51:50 Her biggest accomplishment 52:45 What does she want to accomplish before she retires? And how does she want to be remembered? 53:45 Caitlin's pregame body and mental prep 54:30 How does she deal with a bad game? 56:13 Best opponent and best teammate Christie Rampone @christierampone Sam Kerr @samkerr1 59:38 Best game day chants 1:00:39 Biggest life lesson from playing soccer 1:01:55 How does Caitlin eat a taco? 1:02:58 One simple tip for female athletes 1:04:22 Caitlin Foord   Follow Caitlin: On Twitter: @CaitlinFoord On Instagram: @CaitlinFoord Caitlin's obsession with her dog Peach (Instagram: @BrindlePeach Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode, I interview ultra-runner Paige Pattillo. Paige grew up running in her hometown Bothell, Washington. She ran cross country at the University of Portland. Two years ago, at the age of 26, Paige ventured into the ultra-running racing scene. Paige recently completed in the Gorge Waterfall 100k, and because of her finish, was one of just ten people to receive a golden ticket to the Western States, one of the most competitive and prestigious 100 mile races in the world. Who in their right mind would want to run 100 miles? I did not understand it, until I did some investigation. After talking with Paige, it's clear why people catcha the ultra-running bug. Paige is a very inquisitive soul and we go deep into her mindset during her races. In our conversation we talk about: -why Paige and her wife, former Seattle Reign FC Player Keelin Winters Pattillo, lived in a camper van for over 3 months in Australia for their honeymoon -Paige's counter-cultural motto “just don't do it” and how training less improved her performance. -Her experience with  “runner's high” and how she loses sense of time. -How she deals with the negativity during the lowest point of her races. -Her training regimen for the Western States 100 mile race -Why she believes every human, physiologically, was made perfectly for long distance running And more. Here's the the 100 mile Western States documentary Paige shared with me. Be prepared to get me amped up on life! LIFE IN A DAY | The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run I hope this interview gets you inspired as well. Enjoy, my conversation with Paige Patillo.   Show Notes :54                             Who is Paige Pattillo? 1:30                            What type of person wants to run 100 miles? 4:38                            Paige's Honeymoon in Australia 6:32                            Her experience WWOOFING down under 9:24                            Paige's encounter with deadly snakes 12:00                   The most prestigious and oldest 100 mile race 13:08                   Did Paige always have a goal of running the “Western States”? 14:03                   How does one qualify for the Western States race? 15:44                   Paige's 1st qualifying race 17:44                   What is the “gap the chase pack” strategy? 22:40                   The power of letting go 23:08                   What is Paige's training regimen? 24:38                   Are the majority of elite runner sponsored or working full time? 25:38                   How does Paige balance her life? 27:13                   Typical Ultra runner compared to Paige 29:00                   Paige's approach of less training mileage 32:07                   Paige's motto: “Just Don't Do It” 32:50                   Paige's alternative training - yoga, strength, cycling 34:40                   Comfort in Discomfort 37:25                   Arrow Living Article: When Two Competitive Athletes Fall In Love 37:43                   Paige's running mindset and why she would choose to run 100 miles 40:27                   Advice to  “non-runners” 44:44                   Paige's race mindset - the runner's high and lows 53:00                   How to get out of negative thoughts on a run and her mental strategies 57:15                   How is running a metaphor for life? 100:40                  What is a safety runner? 1:01:10                 Paige's replenishment choices 101:59                  What is Paige's goal time? 1:03:13                 Paige's morning routine 1:03:50                 One belief that other people think is crazy 1:06:50                 Biggest misconception about Paige 1:07:19                 What non-athlete does Paige look up to? 1:08:45                 Paige's favorite failure 1:09:54                 Greatest accomplishment 1:10:11                 What mental & body prep does Paige do before a race? 1:11:04                 Post race movement activities 1:11:25                 One simple tip for female athletes   Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's conversation I interview French national team footballer Amandine Henry. Amandine signed her first professional contract at 17 years old. She's competed in 3 UEFA Women's Champions League finals, was the recipient of the Silver Ball award in 2015, awarded to the the second best player at the FIFA Women's World Cup. She's played most of her professional career with Lyon in France, but recently finished her second season with the Portland Thorns, helping the team win the 2017 NWSL Championship. Amandine arrived in Portland hardly being able to speak English, but after two season's abroad, she was able to do this entire interview in English, with only a few misunderstandings. In our conversation we talk about: how Amandine learned english, and the funniest mis-translations with the team the experience playing with boys teams up until age 13 the time during her career when she thought about quitting soccer why Amandine doesn't believe in setting goals how she cooks all of her meals at home with a robot why coming to Portland was the best experience of her entire soccer career, even moreso than playing in a World Cup and winning champions league and she answers several fan questions, both in English and in French Did you enjoy my conversation with Amandine? Let me know the favorite thing you learned in the comments!     Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode, I interview the captain of the women's Canadian national soccer team and Portland Thorns FC striker Christine Sinclair. Christine is a Legend with a capital L. She attended University of Portland (Go Pilots!) While there she was a Mac Hermann trophy recipient and a  2x NCAA champion.  She has received countless other accolades throughout her career including being the a 12x recipient of Canada's Soccer Player of the Year, 2x bronze Olympic medalist, she's been short listed for fifa player of the year 7 times, and is the second leading goal scorer in the world, just behind Abby Wambach. But even more admirable than her accolades, is who Christine is as a human. Despite being one of the top players in the world, she is incredibly down to earth. Christine despises being in the spotlight and is a private person in general, but in our discussion she opens up and explains in her own words, she's actually not a “hermit.”  You'll see that she's a little bit weird and quite funny. In our conversation we talk about   How everyone can be a leader, and what it takes to become one what it was like surpassing her idol Mia Hamm in all-time goals-scored -The impromptu speech she gave in the locker room to her distraught teammates during the Olympics -How the loss of multiple family members completely change her perspective on soccer, and allowed her to take her game to the next level -Why she slurps mustard before and during the half-time of games with Emily Menges  (Emily also makes a guest appearance!) -The method she uses to become a world-class finisher -Why she named her achilles tendon “Clarence”   I'd love to hear what you learned from this episode. Please leave a message in the comments!   PODCAST HERE Show Notes :57 Who is Christine Sinclair? 3:45 Charlie, the love of her life! 5:15 How did Christine choose University of Portland 9:00 How was winning the NCAA women's soccer championships? 10:05 What is Sinc's top moment in her career? 11:15 Other sports played by Christine 11:45 When did she know soccer was her main sport? 13:25 Was she always a standout player? 14:04 Did she have goals from the beginning of her career? 14:35 What players did she idolize? 15:32 When did she know she would play in a world cup? 15:44 What did it feel like to surpass Mia Hamm's goal scoring record? 18:02 Why is Christine so well liked by teammates? 19:45 Does Sinc like being a leader? 21:05 Can everyone be a leader? 22:32 What is Christine's memories of the 2012 London Olympics 26:57 Why doesn't Christine like being in the spotlight? 28:15   Her perspective on social media 30:28 How does she deal with her competitiveness? 31:40 The importance of team bonding 36:29 Her battle with being a recovering perfectionist 37:55 How has Sinc learned to play more freely? 40:10 What would she tell her 18 year old self? 42:14 Sinc's favorite coffee shop 43:42 Favorite restaurant 44:38 How has she dealt with body pain? 50:40 Christine's stats & records 55:03 What does Sinc like about Portland, Oregon 56:31 Her morning routine 58:34 What is the biggest misconception about Christine? 59:31 What one belief does Christine have that others think is crazy? 1:00:20 Favorite failure 1:02:21 Greatest accomplishment 1:04:32 How has she developed her amazing finishing skills? 1:06:00 What is Sinc's one simple tip for female athletes 1:07:30 Favorite downtime activity 1:08:15 What does Christine enjoy most about scoring goals 1:08:45 pregame rituals & superstitions 1:09:57 What 3 Thorns players would she choose to be with on a deserted island? 1:10:24 Has there ever been a moment when she wanted to quit soccer?   Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode, I interview Danish footballer Nadia Nadim. Nadia is genuinely one of the most happiest person I know. She's also one of the most confident, unafraid to speak her mind.   Nadia was born in Afghanistan, during the war.  At 11 year's old, Nadia's dad, a general in the army,  was killed by the Taliban. Nadia's mom knew there was no future for her children in Afghanistan. One night, her family snuck out in the dark, and fled the country. After being smuggled in the back of delivery truck, Nadia and her family ended up in Denmark at a refugee center. Boys at the refuge center introduced Nadia to soccer,  and her career has taken off since.   In our interview, Nadia talks about: -her family's detailed escape from the Taliban -her plans on becoming rich and famous -balancing medical school and professional soccer -how Nadia uses getting “pissed off” to her advantage on the field -the two things that Nadia doesn't think she's good at life (she claims to be good at everything else) -the belief system behind why Nadia knows she can do anything she sets her mind to..     Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

In today's episode, I tell the story in which I was over facing numerous setbacks throughout my soccer career: “There comes a point, when these things start to pile up and you inevitably begin to question your trajectory. It's like if you were to play a continuous game of Jenga for a year straight with friends. And every round, you are the one who pulls out the wood block that makes the entire tower come crashing down. The first few times you may attribute your defeat to luck, or lack thereof, but then after the 12th time you start to wonder if the game is rigged. Or maybe it's just not your game. Maybe you should just accept that it's not your game, and go to the cupboard to pick a new one. Is soccer just not my game? “ On a long bike ride along the beach in Australia, I contemplated giving up soccer and opening up a frozen coconut yogurt shop, or an earthy chill-vibed cafe, or a surf and soccer school in South America. I also kinda met Ryan Gosling ....   Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

I have a confession: I'm addicted to talking to myself in the mirror. Yes, I am crazy, but I'd rather be a crazy person who gazes deeply into my own eyes every morning and loves myself, than a crazy person who walks around acting like I'm okay all day, but inside I feel worthless. It simply feels good. And it feels good to feel good. There is research up the wazoo about how self-love leads to more happiness, better health decisions, less risk of depression and anxiety, enhanced academic performance, increase problem-solving skills, reduced procrastination…. I've noticed practicing self-love translates into other areas of my life, including my sport. I bounce back quicker from an inaccurate pass, a day where my energy feels off, and when I receive criticism. Instead, of swearing at myself and asking what the hell is wrong with me, I send myself some love, and move forward. Loving ourselves as a child comes naturally, but as we age, it becomes increasingly difficult. In today's episode, find out why staring at myself in the mirror is the single greatest exercise I do to gain confidence.   Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love

Professional soccer player Mana Shim has a go with the flow attitude and has relied on her intuition her entire life. At 15 years old, the Hawaiian native left surfing, beaches, and her family behind, and moved to Arizona with the hope of playing college soccer at a Division One school one day. Mana's decision paid off, and she was recruited by her dream school, Santa Clara University. After college, Mana entered the NWSL draft, but did not get selected by any teams. She opted to tryout for the Portland Thorns, because it was the cheapest flight and the team was talented. Mana balled out, made the team, and has been with the Portland Thorns for 5 consecutive years. In this interview, we start out talking light about desserts, and then dive deep (in typical Mana fashion)into the topics of fear, anxiety, and death.   We touch upon: -Mana's uncanny ability to befriend strangers -the mental state that allows Mana to play her best soccer -why Mana doesn't share her goals with people (except her therapist) -the day Mana's dad passed away, and why it was one of the most beautiful moments of her life -why suffering is necessary to live a fulfilled life -how to become a more trustworthy person via what Brene Brown calls  B.R.A.V.I.N.G -and of course, we talk about surfing, and the best wave Mana has ever ridden.   Share the love If you haven't already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here's what to do. Click HERE Click “view in itunes” Click the “ratings and reviews” tab Click “write a review” and show me love