67-Amy Rodriguez, on juggling being a mom and a pro athlete

July 18, 2020 by Kendall Johnson in Podcast

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!

Listen on iTunes HERE

Resources:

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EP 15- Jill Loyden: Former USWNT Goalkeeper, The Keeper Institute Coach- On Overcoming Adversity and Becoming a Bouncy Ball

March 30, 2017 by Kendall Johnson in Interview, Podcast

Former USWNT goalkeeper and founder of The Keeper Institute, Jill Loyden, has been an underdog her entire life. Growing up, Jill was one of three kids raised by a single mom, in Vineland, New Jersey. She was cut from several teams, laughed at when she told her grandma her dreams, and recruited by only two colleges.

But deep down, Jill, has always known that only she controls her destiny, and has used this stubbornness to find a way through adversity.

Jill fought her way onto the US Women’s National team, but just months before the Olympics, she received the worst call she could have ever imagined. She lost her sister due to domestic violence.

Instead of allowing this tragedy to break her, Jill discovered an even greater purpose in her life. She continued playing in the Olympics, and started in a game on the day of her sister’s birthday, an accomplishment that meant far more than just a soccer game.

She’s since retired, coaches for Sky Blue FC and is the founder at the The Keeper Institute,which hosts the only facility in the country specifically catered towards goalkeepers.

In our conversation we talk about why Jill thrives being an underdog, why she views herself as a bouncy ball, how the loss of her sister changed her perspective on soccer and life, what to do if you our someone you know is involved in a domestic violence dispute, the one trait all the Greats possess, and she gives us a simple yet highly effective exercise to get you through the most difficult times.

Jill’s a very inspiring human, and once you’re done listening to our interview, if you’re like me, you’ll want to head out into the world and take names!

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Ep 04: Tobin Heath: World Champion, 2x Olympic gold medalist-on crushing days and living authentically

March 03, 2017 by Kendall Johnson in Interview, Podcast

U.S women’s national team member Tobin Heath (@TobinHeath) aka “The Nutmeg Queen” of the soccer world, is a 3x NCAA champion at North Carolina, a two-time olympic gold medalist, a World Cup champion, 2016 US soccer women player of the year winner, one of two women with 5 star skills on the EA Sports FIFA ’16 video game w/ 5 star skills….the list goes on.
She is an absolute baller and feels most at home on the pitch.
In this conversation, we cover many things, including:

-if her family share’s her laid-backness
-her thoughts while destroying an opponent down the flank
-living to crush each day
-if she gets nervous (spoiler alert: she doesn’t)
-the power of playing with intention
-staying true to herself, despite critics
-life after soccer
-her favorite failure
and heaps more.

Show Notes

1:01 Welcome Tobin Heath!

2:25 www.arrowliving.com

2:58 Does it bother Tobin when her hair is always in her face?

3:59 Did Tobin come from a laid back family?

5:23 Was Tobin born soccer obsessed?

6:44 Tobin’s most influential people in her youth.

7:30 At what age did Tobin want to make the National team?

10:15 When was her 1st National Team call up?

11:00 Does Tobin get nervous?

11:51 How does Tobin deal with off-field pressure?

12:38 What is going through Tobin’s mind when she destroy an opponent down the flank?

14:19 Are skills innate or learned?

16:26 What does it means to “feel” the ball and importance of intentions

18:05 Is Tobin intentional outside of soccer?

18:53 Where is home?

20:52 What’s left for Tobin to win?

22:23 Anson Dorrance quote

23:06 Tobin’s “here and now” mentality

24:39 Morning routine

25:34 Favorite coffee shop in Portland: Coffeehouse Northwest

26:08 Free time activities

27:27 Favorite books

28:03 Tobin’s greatest accomplishment in soccer

34:29 Does Tobin ever go against her instincts?

35:53 Tobin’s life-purpose

38:40 Favorite failure

40:20 Tobin’s one simple tip for female athletes

41:32 Where can you find Tobin Heath?