Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch: Episode Summary – "The Flu Took Me Out (Q&A)"

Release Date: March 2, 2025

In this heartfelt and candid episode of the Sunday Sports Club Podcast, host Allison Cooch opens up about her tumultuous year battling various illnesses, the impact on her family, and personal reflections as she navigates her thirties. Structured as a Q&A session, Allison delves into topics ranging from her health struggles to her fitness journey postpartum, offering listeners an authentic glimpse into her life beyond the world of sports.

1. Battling Illness: A Year of Sickness

Allison begins the episode by detailing her relentless battle with multiple illnesses that have plagued her throughout the year. From norovirus and strep throat to enduring a 103-degree fever that landed her in the hospital, her struggles have significantly affected her daily life and family dynamics.

Allison (00:00): "I've been a hot mess. I have no idea what's been happening this year with sickness, but I've been sick the entire year."

Her determination to protect her newborn daughter led her to quarantine herself, inadvertently resulting in both her husband, Isaac, and their daughter contracting type B flu. The emotional toll of seeing her child suffer deeply affects Allison, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a healthy household amidst illness.

Allison (16:30): "Watching your daughter get the flu... my heart has been hurting just. Oh, my God, it's so sad."

2. Life Adjustments: Moving to New York and Family Challenges

Amidst her health woes, Allison discusses the logistical challenges of moving to a new house in New York City. The relocation, combined with the pandemic's lingering effects, has added layers of stress and uncertainty to her already chaotic life.

Allison (22:45): "I want to find happiness in just, like, the slower days and, like, the slower pace of life."

She emphasizes the importance of creating a peaceful and organized environment for her family, striving to balance the demands of motherhood, her husband's NFL career, and her personal well-being.

3. Q&A Segment: Personal Insights and Reflections

a. Health and Recovery

Addressing concerns about her health, Allison admits that her recovery is ongoing and expresses hope for improvement in the coming weeks.

Allison (40:15): "I'm on the mend. Hopefully next week at this time. Oh, God. Please, God, I'm praying. Please let me feel better next week at this time."

She reflects on her lifestyle choices, recognizing the need to prioritize hydration, nutrition, and sleep to aid her recovery.

b. Family’s Approach to Illness

Allison shares how her family, particularly her husband Isaac, manages health crises. Emphasizing a pragmatic approach, they utilize both home remedies and necessary medications to alleviate symptoms.

Allison (48:30): "We’re just, like, snuggling up in mommy and daddy’s bed. We’ve been giving her screen time, which we don’t usually give her, but..."

c. Embracing Wedding Season and Family Shopping

With wedding season approaching, Allison humorously discusses the challenge of shopping for her husband’s suits at Macy’s, highlighting the dynamics of their relationship and her playful approach to family errands.

Allison (56:10): "If there’s a sale at Macy’s, I’m going to be there. Well, I’ll be there with Isaac, my husband."

d. Turning 30: Personal Growth and Goals

Allison delves into her feelings about turning thirty, describing it as a period of renewal and self-discovery. She outlines her aspirations for the decade, including entrepreneurial ventures like renovating an Airstream and opening a coffee shop.

Allison (1:10:25): "I want to prioritize my mental health and, like, really just take care of me. It’s a work in progress, right?"

e. Fitness Journey Postpartum

Navigating her postpartum fitness journey, Allison discusses the challenges of regaining her pre-pregnancy fitness levels while embracing body changes. She emphasizes setting tangible fitness goals that prioritize her overall well-being over aesthetic outcomes.

Allison (1:25:40): "If you are feeling insecure about your body postpartum, like, you are not the only one. I’m really jealous of women who, like, they’re like, oh, yeah, like, my arms look the same."

f. Challenges of Dating a Professional Football Player

Allison reflects on the difficulties of maintaining relationships amidst the demands of a professional sports career. Constant relocations and the lack of a stable community posed significant challenges, though social media later provided a sense of community.

Allison (1:40:50): "The biggest challenge is, like, the sense of community. But as my husband progressed throughout his football career, social media played a huge part in that."

g. Husband’s Retirement and Public Perception

Addressing her husband's decision to retire from the NFL, Allison expresses immense pride despite facing negative reactions on social media. She defends his career and the legitimacy of his decision to retire officially.

Allison (1:58:30): "I’m super proud of him. It’s always men... But, like, if you formally announce your retirement, it means way more."

h. Future of Women in Sports Media

Allison shares her optimistic view on the evolving landscape of sports media, anticipating greater representation and influence of women in the field. She underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in enriching sports narratives.

Allison (2:05:15): "I think it’s so fun, and it'll be really interesting to see what happens next in the next few years, especially with, like, flag football."

i. Moving into a New House and Seeking Balance

Concluding the episode, Allison expresses excitement about moving into their new home, viewing it as a fresh start. She grapples with an identity crisis, striving to balance her innate hardworking nature with the need to embrace a more relaxed and fulfilling lifestyle.

Allison (2:15:40): "I want to fully enjoy just slowing down. Especially because I have a daughter and I don’t want her to grow up in a very stressed environment."

Conclusion

Allison's openness in discussing her personal struggles and triumphs provides listeners with a relatable and inspiring narrative. By intertwining her experiences with broader themes of health, family, and personal growth, she underscores the multifaceted nature of life beyond the sports arena. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience required to balance personal well-being with professional and familial responsibilities.

Note: This summary excludes promotional segments and advertisements present in the original podcast to focus solely on the episode's substantive content.