63-Becky Sauerbrunn, turning your weaknesses into strengths, having a presence, and believing in aliens

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

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