How Did Lauren Cheney Holiday Become Unstoppable at the Olympic Games, World Cups, & Fighting a Brain Tumor?
Samantha Peszek is on a mission to discover the secret of some of the best athlete’s in the world — what makes them tick, their commitment to success, and how they build confidence in their sport and in life. Utilizing Samantha’s Olympic network (she really does have cool friends), guests will divulge what it’s really like to compete at the highest level — the struggles, triumphs, and everything in between. You will have an opportunity to learn from some of the best athletes in the world and be able to apply relevant tips to your everyday life!
Sam welcomes to the podcast two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup Champion, Lauren Cheney Holiday. Among her stellar career accomplishments, Lauren was the first player in National Women’s Soccer League history to have her jersey retired by the league. She also set multiple school records at UCLA, including most points, most game-winning goals scored, and tied the school record for most goals scored. In this episode, Lauren talks about her journey to the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the indescribable feeling of representing the United States. She shares her experience at the 2015 World Cup and recalls the moment she scored the third goal in the Final to help the United States claim back the title. Lauren opens up about her harrowing experience learning that she had a brain tumor while pregnant with her daughter. Finally, Lauren talks about her recovery from brain surgery and provides advice on how to gain and maintain confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Introducing today’s guest, Lauren Cheney Holiday
- Sam takes a moment to thank her sponsor, Tumbl Trak and Right Rice
- Sam and Lauren share their first memories of each other
- Lauren opens up about her childhood growing up in Indiana
- How Lauren handled the pressure of getting invited to try out for the National Women’s Soccer League
- Lauren recalls the collegiate recruitment process and why she chose UCLA
- Struggles transitioning from Indiana to Los Angeles
- Sam reads off some of Lauren’s stats and accomplishments
- What Lauren learned from her experience at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing
- Life as a professional athlete
- How the 2012 Olympics differed from the 2008 Games
- What traits Lauren values the most in a leader
- Lauren’s favorite Olympic memory outside of soccer
- Lauren recalls the story of how she met her husband, Jrue
- Balancing a relationship as professional athletes
- Sam takes a moment to thank her sponsors Tumbl Trak and Right Rice
- Lauren’s experience in the 2015 World Cup
- What it felt like to score a goal in the 2015 World Cup Final
- How Lauren’s World Cup experience differed from her Olympics experience
- Why Lauren chose to retire at the height of her career
- Equality in women’s sports
- Struggling with retired life
- Lauren opens up about finding out she was pregnant and had a brain tumor
- How Lauren got through this difficult time
- Lauren walks listeners through the day of her brain surgery
- Lauren’s grueling recovery
- Sam and Lauren discuss the importance of having confidence
- Lauren recalls missing her coaches and teammates
- Lauren answers some fan questions
- Lauren reveals one thing people can do to get 1% better each day
- Sam thanks Lauren for joining the show
Episode Quotes
“I loved it. I loved all of my time at UCLA. I loved the campus. I loved L.A. I loved exploring and seeing everything. I also just think the school, the classes were just always so good for me.”
“I feel like my focus was, ‘ok, World Cup, Olympics, World Cup Olympics.’ That’s what we train for. That’s what we do. So, it was a no-brainer for me to play professionally.”
“I try to tell people the Olympics is so special because you’re not just representing USA Soccer, you’re representing the USA as a whole. And, I feel like that feeling is indescribable.”
“When we won [the 2015 World Cup], I remember all of us being relieved, but we were also I feel like almost surprised that we won just because it had been so turbulent throughout the whole process. But I feel like that makes winning so much sweeter.”
“If you get to know me, I don’t have a problem saying my opinion, or saying maybe the hard thing, or what I think is wrong or not just. If there’s an injustice, I’m the first one to feel it, not like it, and fight against it.”
“I feel like when people say, ‘Waiting is the hardest part,’ it really is. I can handle something happening to me, but I couldn’t handle something happening to her [Lauren’s daughter]. And all of the unknown was terrifying.”
“I’m normal. I have a weird eye and I’m deaf in my right ear, but other than that, I’m completely normal. I feel good. I work out the same. I’m totally fine.”
