World Cup champ in her mom era with guest Ashlyn Harris

Summary

Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch Episode: World Cup Champ in Her Mom Era with Guest Ashlyn Harris Release Date: August 10, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of the Sunday Sports Club, host Allison Kuch welcomes Ashlyn Harris, a World Cup champion, former US Women's National Team (USWNT) goalkeeper, activist, mother, and host of her own podcast, Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris. The discussion delves into Ashlyn's experiences as a professional athlete, her transition into motherhood, and her current endeavors in sports media and activism.

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The Pressures of Being a Goalkeeper

Ashlyn Harris opens up about the unique challenges of her position on the soccer field:

"It's a very lonely position. It's a pressure cooker for sure. It's one of the most important positions on the field because you have... you're the last person in defense." ([01:34])

Ashlyn emphasizes the isolating nature of goalkeeping, where every mistake can be magnified, making the role both heroic and highly scrutinized.

Allison Kuch relates this to her observations in other sports, highlighting the often unjust blame placed on individuals in team settings:

"I mean, football primarily. Whenever a quarterback throws an interception or somebody drops the ball, it's quick to go straight to them and give them all their hate." ([02:03])

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The Loneliness and Team Dynamics in Sports

Ashlyn Harris further explores the intricacies of team sports, comparing her role to others and the necessity of mutual trust:

"There's just so much that goes into it... it's a really well-oiled machine of a bunch of moving parts, and once something is off, it really throws the entire system for a loop." ([02:24])

Allison adds her perspective from swimming, noting the solitary responsibility inherent in individual sports compared to the collective reliance in team sports.

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Creating a Platform for Deeper Conversations

Transitioning away from the advertisements, the conversation resumes with Ashlyn discussing her motivations behind starting her podcast, Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris.

Ashlyn Harris shares her desire to humanize athletes beyond their public personas:

"I wanted to normalize the struggle a little bit... open up some doors to give people like myself the opportunity to talk about the things that made us, but also discussing the hardest times of their lives." ([05:17])

She emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in sports media, aiming to break down the barriers of stereotype and judgment.

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Lessons from the Podcast and Personal Growth

When asked about impactful lessons from her guests, Ashlyn Harris reflects on her journey of self-discovery and growth:

"I really have been enjoying... being a better human and doing work on yourself." ([08:07])

She credits her interactions with thoughtful individuals for enhancing her understanding of sports psychology and personal development, contrasting it with the often mechanical mindset required in athletics.

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Redefining Success and Embracing Failure

Discussing her perspective on success and failure, Ashlyn Harris offers a nuanced view:

"No, I don't look at the world as this like success or failure or good or bad. It's really all a part of the becoming process." ([11:18])

She shares her belief that failures are invaluable lessons that contribute to personal and professional growth, stressing the importance of introspection and resilience.

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Transitioning from Professional Soccer

Allison Kuch probes into Ashlyn's decision to step away from professional soccer at 37, highlighting the significant life changes that accompany such transitions.

Ashlyn Harris describes her departure as a personal choice driven by a shift in priorities:

"I just did. My heart wasn't in it. I couldn't wait to get home to see my kids. I hated traveling on the road... it was time for me to walk away." ([38:01])

She discusses the impact of motherhood on her career decisions and the challenges of balancing professional demands with family life.

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Balancing Motherhood and Athletics

Exploring the difficulties of being both a mother and a professional athlete, Ashlyn Harris candidly addresses the lack of support systems:

"We don't get paid enough money to have full-time childcare and schooling so we can go do what we want to do while playing and having the career we want." ([39:14])

She critiques the insufficient financial support provided for athletes with families and underscores the necessity of a strong support network to manage such dual responsibilities.

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Supporting Families in Women's Sports Organizations

Ashlyn Harris advocates for tailored support systems within sports organizations to accommodate diverse family needs:

"It's really implementing and putting in place the things that are needed for each individual mom. And that's how it is in sports in general." ([42:28])

She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique circumstances of each athlete, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

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Achieving Work-Life Balance

Reflecting on her current life, Ashlyn Harris discusses her approach to finding balance:

"I'm checking in and doing the work of how I feel centered in my body... Am I getting enough exercise? Am I eating right? Am I getting enough sleep?" ([43:20])

She highlights the shift from external to internal balance, focusing on personal well-being to enhance her roles as a mother, partner, and professional.

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Current Projects and Future Plans

Looking ahead, Ashlyn Harris shares her enthusiasm for upcoming projects and her evolving role in sports media:

"I've been working on this project with Hello Sunshine. It's a sports doc series that will be coming out pretty soon." ([46:52])

She mentions her involvement with a women's sports firm dedicated to commercial investments in women's sports, expressing excitement about expanding her storytelling and creative endeavors.

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Rapid Fire: Personal Preferences and Fun Insights

To conclude the episode, Allison and Ashlyn engage in a series of rapid-fire, soccer-themed questions, offering listeners a glimpse into Ashlyn's personal preferences:

• Fun Surface vs. Focused Performance: Ashlyn prefers playing on the field over lounging in the suite, valuing the direct engagement and intensity of being part of the game.

• Favorite Players: She admires Mia Hamm for her exceptional talent and versatility on the field.

• Coaching vs. Cheering: Ashlyn opts for cheering from the sidelines over coaching, emphasizing her preference for supporting roles.

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Conclusion

Allison Kuch wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to explore Ashlyn Harris's podcast and follow her on social media for more insights into her journey and ongoing projects. The conversation provides an inspiring look into the life of a professional athlete navigating the complexities of sports, motherhood, and personal growth.

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Notable Quotes:

• Ashlyn Harris on Goalkeeping Pressure:
  "You're either the hero or you're the goat." ([01:34])

• Ashlyn on Normalizing Athlete Struggles:
  "I feel like we're all humans, and we have to really pull back the layers of why we do what we do in the first place." ([05:17])

• Ashlyn on Failure as a Learning Opportunity:
  "Failure for me is like life's greatest lessons." ([11:18])

• Ashlyn on Balancing Personal Well-Being:
  "Am I balanced inside? Because that will project on how I feel outwardly." ([43:20])

• Ashlyn on Future Projects:
  "I love being curious, I love unpacking the way I move." ([46:52])

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This episode offers a profound exploration of the intersection between professional sports and personal life, highlighting Ashlyn Harris's resilience, advocacy, and commitment to fostering a more supportive environment for athletes balancing career and family.

Transcript

[Alison Cooch]

The following podcast is a Dear Media Production.

[Ashlyn Harris]

What's up, guys?

[Alison Cooch]

Welcome back to Sunday Sports Club Podcast, a podcast all about sports told by a woman. And that woman is me. Hi, guys, I'm Alison Cooch. And if you've seen me on socials lately, you probably noticed I've been wearing the same sweatshirt for like the past seven days. And honestly, I'm not mad about it. I got it from Nuuly and it is my favorite hoodie. I do have the option to buy it, which I've been contemplating doing. So but maybe I should switch it out and wear a different sweatshirt on Nuuly's website for the next seven days. So anyways, I just had to point that out because I have been wearing this for the past seven days. So thank you, Nuuly. So let's go ahead and jump into today's interview with Ashlyn Harris. Ashlyn, welcome to Sunday Sports Club. So Ashlyn is a World cup champion, former USWNT goalkeeper, activist, mother, and host of the new podcast Wide Open with Ashlyn Harris. Did I miss anything?

[Ashlyn Harris]

You got it. Thanks for having me.

[Alison Cooch]

I got it all.

[Ashlyn Harris]

Yeah.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah. Welcome to the podcast. So obviously on here we talk all things sports. It's coming from a woman's mouth. Not that that necessarily means anything or it shouldn't mean anything, but I'm excited to talk all things with you. I always like to ask like a question that I'm just genuinely curious about. How stressful is it to be a goalkeeper?

[Ashlyn Harris]

It's a very lonely position. Yeah, it's a pressure cooker for sure. It's one of the most important positions on the field because you have. You're the last person in defense. So even though they always say it got through 10 other players making mistakes before it got to you, every goal is judged based on the action you make. So you're either the hero or you're the goat. And you got to be able to handle and weather that type of pressure.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah, I've seen that with, I mean, football primarily. Whenever a quarterback throws an interception or somebody drops the ball, it's quick to all the fans, go straight to them and give them all their hate. But it's like you got into that so circumstance because of it being a team sport.

[Ashlyn Harris]

Yeah. There's just so much that goes into it. Right. It's like how much time you get in the pocket. Is everyone like, you know, hitting the right routes? Like it's everything when, when I think of team sports, it's like a really well oiled machine of A bunch of moving parts, and once something is off, it really throws the entire system for a loop. So it's a. It's a. It's. That's sport. That's why I love team sports. It's you. You've got to really lean in and trust the people around you, because you need every person firing at the top, peak performance to be successful.

[Alison Cooch]

Totally. I never. Well, I did play team sports, but, like, when I was a lot younger, but I actually swam. And a lot of the whole responsibility is on you. Nobody else is. Like, that's not really a team sport. I mean, obviously as a team, you can win, but when it comes down to it, I always thought that being a swimmer was lonely, so it's interesting to hear that a goalkeeper, it can be lonely as well. But I also feel like a team sport is also just like, everybody's personal lives, from family and kids to working and creating that whole balance within that ecosystem. And you decided to start your own show. So I wanted to know what inspired that.

[Ashlyn Harris]

I think that, you know, as I was listening to a lot of shows and programs, and as I was really in the trenches of, like, my own career, I think we get these really quick, flash highlight reels of the public and fans thinking they know. They know who we are, and they really don't. And there's so much more to who we are as athletes than what we do. And I wanted to normalize the struggle a little bit, because I think what people are so quick to judge is this weird type of, like, hate speech and cancel culture. And I just wanted to open up some doors to give people like myself the opportunity to talk about the things that made them, but also while, you know, discussing the hardest times of their life, lives that made them exactly who they are, but broke them in the moment. Because I just. I feel like we're all humans, and we have to, like, really pull back the layers of why we do what we do in the first place. And I love the saying, like, don't judge a person until you walk a mile in their shoes. And it's really just asking people, like, really hard, deep questions about why they move the way they do.

[Alison Cooch]

And does that go into the name of the podcast being wide open?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Yeah, exactly.

[Alison Cooch]

So when it comes to, like, pulling back, you know, the curtain and, like, opening up some of these conversations, what are you looking forward to? Like, whether it be changing something in somebody's mind or just creating awareness around, like, what are you looking for? Forward to, like, introducing into people's minds.

[Ashlyn Harris]

I Think, like there's a soft, gentle side of meeting people where they're at and all seasons of their lives. And I just really, really enjoy deep storytelling and just real deep, good conversation is what really moves me. And I want to have. I want to peel the layers back and talk about some of the things that other people aren't willing to talk about. You know, for example, Colton Underwood came on my show and spoke about what it was like being closeted in the NFL and how hard that was and how homophobic it was. And there's a huge bravery and holding space for someone to talk about their struggles. But I'm a firm believer in sharing our scars because statistically, and I'm sure, as you know, there's really not an out male player. And, you know, the mlb, the mls, the NBA. And statistically, we know that's nearly impossible, but we cultivate these environments where we don't want to talk about it. We have so much shame around it. There's so much taboo. So the more we can talk about it and the more we can actually understand that, like, we're all the same, we all tick the same way, we all have feelings, we all get up and wipe our ass the same. And it's just like we, we have to have these conversations to really open up the door so people feel safe enough to be exactly who they are. And, and, and I think that's the beauty of, of what we're doing. But also, you know, interviewing people like Billie Jean King, talking about what it was like to be outed, talking about what it was like to lose everything, all the sponsorships, what it was like having an eating disorder, and constantly people poking at the way you look and how you move in the world and the implications that have on your mental health. So for me, it's really just not this surface level BS that really doesn't move the needle anywhere. Mm.

[Alison Cooch]

Is there any lesson that you've learned from a guest on your show that's really resonated with you and even some of your listeners?

[Ashlyn Harris]

There's such a wide range, I guess for me, I really have been enjoying because I'm on this journey of, like, rediscovery and belonging and growth, and I want to be a better partner and I want to be a better mom and I want to be a better friend. And I, I've been able to really dive into interviewing some of the most thoughtful thinkers out there, some of the, you know, New York Times best selling authors, whether it's Jillian t. Whether it's Dr. Laurie Santos. Whether it's Adam Grant, I just find so much excitement in the process of being a better human and doing work on yourself. So I've really, really enjoyed those conversations. It, it kind of gives me that sports psychology and I don't know, it's just like you have to really think deep and they have a different perspective in life because they study it and they're insanely gifted at what they do. And I love, I love being curious. I love unpacking the way I, I move. And yeah, I just have never had the freedom to do that as an athlete because I was built to be a machine. I wasn't built to think like that. You know, when you step on the line, you know, when you, when you step into my mind would be the lines. But no one cares how you feel. No one cares what you're thinking. No one cares what you're unpacking at home.

[Alison Cooch]

You're there to kind of like leave your shit at the door.

[Ashlyn Harris]

Yeah. So that's why I'm like really enjoying learning and reading and digging into this self discovery of being a better human because the world is moving so fast around us and it does sometimes feel like whiplash and a washer machine. So I am enjoying that. Like just I'm at ease and I'm at peace and I don't think I ever felt that before. Mm.

[Alison Cooch]

It's interesting. You, you first started off by saying like, you want to be a better mom, you want to be a better, you know, business owner or partner and you want to like be better. And I feel like a huge part of that is just being open to hearing people's stories and like broadening your horizons and hearing of these different perspectives on life. I feel like the people who are close minded, they only have like the tunnel vision and people who are looking at like the bigger picture, I, I feel like, are more open to like change and adapting and it, they go through a lot more and that makes them more versatile as a person, as a business owner, like having a show and I think it just makes them more diverse overall. And you, you have a very interesting like background to now where you're currently at. Because it all started with soccer. So you had an incredible soccer career. I feel like we could all say that. Are there any moments that stand out to you, either good or bad?

[Ashlyn Harris]

No, I, I don't look at the world as this like success or failure or good or bad. It's really all a part of the becoming process. It's all a part of building me into Who I am and who I want to be. And there are seasons that are great, and there are seasons that are not. But if I'm not learning from it, if I'm not rolling my sleeves up and really digging into why this moment of time isn't going my way so I can change it, I'm actually doing myself a disservice and the people around me. So I think failure for me is like life's greatest lessons, because you can really sit in the failure and figure out why it is and why I feel this way and. And really putting words to the feeling, even if it's pain and grief, I guess. So that's. I think that's. There's just different ways of looking and seeing. Seeing the world. And I. I really. I really view it as a learning opportunity when things aren't going my way. And honestly, I feel more at ease and comfort in those moments of, like, grinding, because that's really all I've known for so many years than I do sitting in the joy and the happiness and the ease and the peace of it all. So that's also something I'm trying to learn to understand. Because as an athlete, you didn't get time to rest. You didn't get time to sit and say, damn, what a journey that was to win the World Cup. The second you win the World cup, you've got six months until the Olympics start to pop off. Like, I didn't have time to sit and rest. I didn't. I had to make the next roster. And it's this, like, evolution of constantly chasing greatness where you really shut off the ability to think and feel and sit in, like, darkness and stuff, because you're already moving on to the next. The next. To the next, to the next. Because the air's thin at the top.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah.

[Ashlyn Harris]

And if you. If you get complacent, there's a hundred people chomping at your heels, wanting your position. And when you get to the top, you realize you are replaceable. Everyone is replaceable. And they will be the first to tell you that.

[Alison Cooch]

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I really wish that I knew about Court Furniture Rental back when my husband was playing football and we were going through all those moves because this would have helped out a ton. Even if I wanted to switch it up. I mean, you guys know I was pregnant in Vegas and I was living on somebody else's furniture. It could have helped a lot with just making Vegas feel more like a home on day one. So if you guys are interested in trying out Court Furniture Rental, you can build your own furniture rental package today at court.com that's C-O R T.com podcast again court.com podcast if you guys have been following me on social media for a while, you know I love my drinks like any type of drink. I actually used to have a little series on social media that I would like try out a new drink every week and I would rate it like 1 to 10 and it would kind of just be all over the place. All that being said, I just love drinks. And a drink that I have been a recent fan of is called Simply Pop. So Simply has launched a new prebiotic soda, Simply Pop, which is the new Juicy Soda. There are five flavors. They have pineapple, Mango, lime, strawberry, Citrus punch and fruit punch. Simply Pop is a new fruit forward bevy of prebiotic sodas made with 6 grams of prebiotic fiber to support gut health and vitamin C and zinc to support immune function, which. You guys, if you've been following me on social media, know that I have some problems with my gut health and I'm always traveling. So anything to support my immune function I'm a fan of. That's why Simply Pop contains the same real fruit flavors you know and love and no added sugar makes for a soda that even a juice would drink. My favorite flavor is the pineapple mango. I just feel like it's so fresh and juicy and it's perfect for summer. And whenever I'm drinking it, I feel like I'm doing something for my body, both immune system and my gut health. And the best part is that again, no added sugar. So I just feel like you can't beat something like that. I personally highly recommend this. Whether you're on the go, you wake up and you want something juicy, or you know, just an outdoor summer beverage by the pool. Why not? So if you guys are interested in trying out Simply Pop, I'm a huge fan of it. I would recommend heading over to Coke URL.com simply pop to find out where you can try Simply Pop. You guys, I'm going to be very honest. I hate wearing a bra. I hate it. But you know what? I don't really get that luxury because especially after breastfeeding my daughter, the girls need a little support. And I'm not talking about, like emotional support. I'm talking about they actually need support. And that's why I want to take a second to talk about sexual skims. I love skims so much. I first discovered them, I think, back when Isaac was playing in Indiana. That's how I create chapters of my life is just like where Isaac was playing at the time. But I remember trying the Skims Fits Everybody collection. And ever since then, that has been my go to bra that I choose to wear every single day because it's a bra that doesn't actually feel like you're wearing a bra. That's my kind of bra. Okay. I love how they have so many different color selections, they have so many different styles styles. And their underwear. Again, it feels like you're not wearing any. And typically that would be my go to. But you know, these days I have been. I have been wearing underwear. And it's from Skims Fits Everybody collection. If you guys haven't tried it out, I highly Recommend. It is so soft, it's breathable. I feel like thongs used to bother me so much throughout the day. And like, you're just out in public, you're just picking your thong. Anyways. The Fits Everybody collection, it melts onto your skin and you're going to forget that you're wearing any underwear at all. And I just feel like everybody needs to experience that kind of level of comfort in life. So if you guys can't tell, I'm a huge fan of the Skims Fits Everybody collection. If you guys are interested, you can shop at Skims Fits Everybody collection and [e-mail] after you place your order, be sure to let them know that I sent you. You can select a podcast in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. I don't do well under that sort of pressure knowing I'm replaceable. It almost is like it's an anxiety inducing for me. But it sounds like you have a very strong mindset and even saying, like, life's biggest failures, the are the biggest life lessons. Have you always felt that way and like, thought that way?

[Ashlyn Harris]

I mean, I'm a, I've lived, you know, Even though I'm 39 years old, I've lived quite a life. And most of that has been, you know, this pursuit of perfection and getting out of the circumstances that I, you know, I was born into. I wanted this life that I didn't necessarily see unless it was on tv. So I always had this weird hunger and I moved differently on the field. That made me great because I knew I didn't have a backup plan. I knew my parents weren't going to come and bail me out or pay for my college. Like, I had to be an adult very, very young. And I say this story often is, you know, when I was about 12, 13 years old, I was playing for the U18 Women's Youth national team and everyone was getting ready to go to college. I was just getting ready to go to high school. And I knew I wanted to go to the University of North Carolina. And I had been told that unless you played for the full team, you really didn't get a full scholarship. And I knew my parents, you know, they didn't graduate college. My brother didn't, you know, my grandparents didn't. I was going to be like the first of my family. And I picked up, I found his number from a friend and I said, I called him and I hid in my closet and I was like, I want to go to Your school. And I'm wondering if you can make this happen.

[Alison Cooch]

Mm.

[Ashlyn Harris]

And that just was my personality, that. That is who I am since I can remember, like, if you want something, you have to be the one to do it. If I want to move this microphone in front of me, I can't keep saying, I want to move this fucking microphone. I have to do it. I have to pick it up and move it. It's not going to move on its own. And I think in life, you know, it's this innate leadership hunger to be successful. And no one else was going to do it for me. I had to want to do it. And I think it's a great lesson for our younger generation. I think, you know, my parents and forced me to go to training. My parents didn't force me to go outside and have these, you know, insane, expensive soccer clinics and trainers and gym passes. Like, my dad was like, if you want it, you're going to want it for yourself. And you're going to choose to get up and go train and get up and be the best. I'll drive you and I'll support you wherever you need to go, but you have to want this for yourself. I don't want it. I'm not going to want it more for you. And I love the way, you know, my parents, you know, raised me and showed me what it was like to put responsibility on my own shoulders as a young kid. And I feel like I've carried that with me for, you know, for all of these. You know, I'm 39 now, my whole life.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah. Have you found that to be. Do you. In my opinion, I find that people at the highest levels definitely had people pushing them. Hey, you got to go to this, you got to go to that. Hey, let's sign up for, you know, the sport year round. Let's do this, let's do that. Do you find it to be your type of journey to get to the highest level of soccer, to be more rare?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Oh, I mean, yeah, to get to. To that. To that professional level in which I played. It's like 0.00001% of the population. I think the key here is not can you get there? The key is can you stay there? People can get there, but the air is very thin at the top. And you, you know, talk about competitive fire and resilience and failure and all of these things. Like, it's a journey, and it is a hard journey. It's a, you know, you. You have to become. It's your life's mission. Like, that's it every day. Like it's a game of inches and every percentage counts. And that's being selfish and that's making sure you're professional 24 hours a day, just not the few hours you're on the field. Yeah. So, yeah, I do. It's definitely a way of life. But like we said at the beginning, it is such a high pressure thing to live in. People sometimes get there. I don't think all of them have the ability to stay there in terms of like their competitive fire and their ability to be crazy enough to wake up and do it over and over and over again.

[Alison Cooch]

Right. And even more so, I feel like the mindset of a goalkeeper has to be different than any other position in soccer because of the way that the sport of soccer is played. Do you agree with that?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Yeah, it's just, I mean, as a goalkeeper, I'm the only one on the field that can use my hands. I literally like soccer is, or football, however you want to say, is played with the ball at your feet. 10 other players are playing with the ball at their feet and they have, you know, different tactical structures based on what position they play. And they form these subgroups and how you like, move in subgroups together on different parts of the field contribute to how you move the. The ball forward and get the ball into the box so you can score. Like, my position is completely different. I don't do any of that, truthfully. It's. It's just like my position, my it. I. I don't look behind me ever. If I'm looking behind me, that means I'm digging a ball out of the back of my neck or out of digging a ball out of the back of the net. So, like, for me, my, my whole position is from here forward and it's about angles and the way I move and the way I position myself and how quickly I pick the ball up. And like, it's just so foreign. Ask any field player. They have no idea what we do. They have no idea what our training's like. Our training is completely, most likely removed from the team for the first hour. And then at the end when we play, we jump in. It's a very isolating position because it's a dairy. It's very different. And it's the principles and the technique. Everything is completely different.

[Alison Cooch]

That, that is super interesting, even hearing in regards to the training, because obviously you're not doing the same thing that people who are running around the field are doing. So I haven't Even thought about, like, training being different and isolating because it's you against the rest of the team doing something completely different, and you're not knowing what they're doing. They're not knowing what you're doing. It is crazy to think about that. Do you think men's soccer is different from women's soccer when it comes to team camaraderie, fans?

[Ashlyn Harris]

No, It's. It's not. Like, you know, we're. We play the same style we play. You know, women's soccer has really evolved, and, you know, 10 years ago, it was more like, the U.S. team is so good because they're athletic. Well, that does us. That's out the window. And they were all like, eventually, other teams are going to catch up because other teams are more technical and, like, tactical. We just. We could bully teams because we had a mentality that no one else could compete with. You know, like, in this culture, in American culture and Western culture, like, we beat differently. We are not saw. I mean, to the most basic. I played in Europe, and if players had a cold, they were like, oh, no, I'm out for three days. Pull up video of our team. Abby Wambach is getting stapled in the head, and she wraps it, and she's like, get me out on the field. Or Kelly o' Hara splits her eye or nose and shoves a tampon and gets back out. Like, the. The mentality of the American team. We could be down 6, 0, and there's not one person in that locker room who thinks, we won't win that game. We'll just. We'll just score seven. Like, that is the mentality. And you can't buy that. You can't train it. We just breed it.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah. Is it comforting to know that, like, the women on your team are as die hard as you are? Do you think they. That makes them more reliable? Do you think it also makes you want to win as a team because those women are die hard for you and for their team?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Well, you're talking about the most exceptional athletes in the entire world. Like, you. You're not walking in there being like, oh, I kind of don't really care to be here, and I kind of don't want to really dig. Like, that meant, like, you're not getting it. You're not getting to that level unless you tick like the rest. Like, it's just. It's just not going to happen. And then if you are. If you are soft and you can't take it, then you. You won't last long. It just. The system eats you up. It's the truth.

[Alison Cooch]

Do you have a.

[Ashlyn Harris]

For everyone?

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah. You are. You've been on some legendary teams. Do you have a favorite team that you've been on?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Favorite team I've been on. I. I think all of them are so unique. Right? Like, I've. A lot of the teams, you know, we've. We've been raised with each other, playing in these youth systems and playing in college. I will say I had a lot more fun in college. No social media. I didn't have to come home from a game and worry about 1500 tweets, about one goal I let in, or. You know what I mean? Like, I just remember college just. There was just so much pure, like, purity and love and joy. It just wasn't professionalized. And I didn't live in a world of social media where cameras were everywhere. It just. I could play for the love and then go to school and hang out with my friends. And it just. It was a different type of ease because once you get drafted and you get in the league, people are like, you're paid to be there and you gotta, like, keep your spot. And it just. As much as you want to play your role and you want to be a good team player, you're competing with these people to put food on the table. Let's not get it twisted. Like, there's competition that's proactive and not like I'm going to, you know, hurt this person or do anything to jeopardize their ability to play. But you're competing and you're competing for contracts and spots, and it's. It's hard. It's. It's mind fucking a little bit.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah. All of a sudden it becomes a business where it used to be this source of passion and fun, and then it's. I mean, how you put food on the table. I am the biggest fan of Vionic shoes for multiple reasons. But the number one reason is because they are comfortable, they are cute, and they stay on my feet all day long. And I'm talking in the morning, I might be at a theme park. In the afternoon, I may be doing a little grocery shopping. In the evening, I might be on a boat. Not like a big boat, but I might. Have you guys ever heard of a Duffy boat? They're super cute in California. Anyways, I love Vionic shoes, and I am so excited to be working with them. If you guys are new to Vionic, Vionix exclusive Vio motion technology is what sets them apart. So they began by revolutionizing medical orthotics. And today they're committed to harnessing that medical foundation in the advancement of biomechanics to engineer significantly better performing shoes that strengthen your natural movement while aligning and balancing you feet first. Every shoe in Bionic is powered by their Vio Motion technology, its beauty and well being in every pair. Vionic is about science that sets you in motion. So a few of their styles that I have been loving. I've raved about their uptown Willa. I love their walk Max and the Bay. The Bay is the one that has a little fresh take on the nautical style. It has a buttery soft leather upper and dupe detailing. The slip on delivers laid back comfort with a relaxed vibe and it's so comfortable. Like honestly I could wear these shoes all day and they're so cute as well. So if you guys can't tell, I'm a huge fan of Vionix shoes and if you guys are interested you can use Code Sunday at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionix shoes.com when you log into your account first time use only bionic shoes Wearable well being for your feet There are two types of people in a relationship. There are people who like to be warm and cozy and they're putting something warm down in their bed before they're crawling in there. And then there are people who like it cold and crispy. You guys, I am the warm and Isaac is the cold. But I'm excited to be talking about Chili Pad by Sleep Me because its mission is to elevate the quality of human life through cool sleep. So whether you're tackling diaper duty, carpool lane, finding your pink again, or reminding your husband how useless he would be without you, Chilipad has you covered. So the Chilipad bed cooling system was designed with moms and parents in mind. 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And I feel like that's a huge reason why professional athletes to Power couples swear by Chili Pad. So if you guys are interested, you can visit www.sleep.me Sunday to get 20% off your chili pad with Code Sunday. The special offer is available for Sunday Sports Club listeners and only for a limited time. Order it today with free shipping and returns. Try it out for 30 days and you could return it for free if you don't like it with their sleep trial, visit www.sleep s l e e p.me m e/Sunday and see why Cold Sleep is making me a better mom and Wife I think we can all agree that the wellness space is a little overcrowded with gimmicks and quick fixes, but long term performance that takes the right foundation. And that's why I was so excited to find the woman's three from Momentous. It's a simple science backed system created with Dr. Stacy Sims, one of the world's leading experts in female physiology. Together they didn't just create another product, they addressed what most women actually need across every stage of life. So the system focuses on iron, calcium and vitamin D3. And together these three nutrients are often overlooked but critical for energy, bone health, recovery, resilience, and I'm trying to be resilient and the way that it's delivered also matters. So they have AM and PM doses so that it's optimized to avoid nutrient interference and also to boost absorption. Every ingredient in the Woman's three is NSF certified for sport, the gold standard in independent testing. And it's not the industry norm. It's the momentous standard. So that means it's suitable for professional and Olympic athletes. It's verified label accuracy and guaranteed purity and potency. It's also not just about products. Momentous is also stepping up with Change the ratio, a $500,000 commitment to close the gender gap in health and performance science with 6% of study is dedicated to women's physiology and biology in the space. So they're investing in research, institutions, experts, and they're going to change the game for women. So if you're ready to cut through the noise and build your routine on real science. Check it out. Head to live momentous.com and use code Sunday for up to 35% off your first order. That's [e-mail] you've stepped away from soccer professionally. How was that transition, especially playing at such a young age? It is such a life dynamic shift. How was that?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Yeah, actually it was. It wasn't as crazy and profound, I think, as most people might think. I got to walk away at 37. The game wasn't taken from me. It didn't end due to injury. It didn't end due to anything that made me feel like unfinished, I guess. So just to be able to walk away and, you know, I started having kids at the end of my career and it just. Your perspective completely changes. And I just did. My heart wasn't in it. I couldn't wait to get home to see my kids. I hated traveling on the road and it just like, it wasn't fair to the rest of the team. It wasn't fair to the staff. Like, I just, I wasn't happy anymore. Being in the environment, it was more painful and it was, ugh, I have to do this. It's not that I want to do this. So it was time for me to walk away.

[Alison Cooch]

And that was gonna be. My next question is how was it? What was the experience like being a mother and also a professional athlete at the same time?

[Ashlyn Harris]

It's super hard. And, you know, it's. We don't get paid enough money to have full time childcare and schooling so we can go do what we want to do while playing and having the career we want. Now are some teams like, you know, they put in place, you know, you can bring your nanny on the trip and we'll give you an extra flight and hotel. But I, at the time, I lived in New York. I mean, for my kids to go to daycare, it's not cheap, you know, and you don't, you don't get compensated for all of those type of things. While you're at training, you have to have nannies and you have to have help and you have to make sure you sleep. So is it possible? Yeah, but you better have a village around you because you can't carry the load of the team and a child and yourself and not fail at one of them.

[Alison Cooch]

That is crazy that there was not like provided childcare or even like the, like an amount of money towards supporting.

[Ashlyn Harris]

We do. We got $5,000 stipend, which wouldn't last me two weeks with child care and school.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah, for child care. That. That is wild.

[Ashlyn Harris]

$5,000. Thanks. But thanks for nothing.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah. You're like, that is actually gonna cover absolutely nothing.

[Ashlyn Harris]

Nothing. It's absolutely actually embarrassing. I mean, at that point I'm like, I'm gonna be taxed on this. You might as well just keep it.

[Alison Cooch]

That. For women who are, let's say women compared to men's soccer, women naturally are going to carry pregnancies. Did you find any of your teammates having to make decisions between, oh, I need to retire from soccer so I can start a family, or oh, I, this isn't a good time because I'm, I'm enjoying my career, so I have to push off the family aspect later.

[Ashlyn Harris]

I think it's whatever type of life you want to live. Truthfully, I think there's no right or wrong answer here. And every parent is going to have a different opinion. You know, Alex Morgan did it for a little bit and there were times, you know, she could leave Charlie at home with, with her husband and you know, her village of family who live in the same area. You know, there's people like Crystal Dunn who, same thing, like her husband really steps up while she plays at PSG and you know, he's going to school. And in the States, like, they find ways of doing it, but there's no. Everyone's situation is completely different and however they want to parent and how much they want to be in and out, like, I think it's a personal decision, but. Yeah. Is it possible? Of course it's possible. Anything's possible. Is it practical? It depends who you're talking to. Yeah.

[Alison Cooch]

What do you think in terms of women's sports organizations? Where do you think one thing would make a huge difference when it comes to supporting families?

[Ashlyn Harris]

I don't think it's a one stop shop. Like, I think it's important to figure out the needs of your players just like you would in anything and what works for them and what they need. You know, it's like that you've got certain people like Sydney Larue, who's a single mom of two kids. You know, she's from Canada and her village is not here. So it's like it's really implementing and putting in place the things that are needed for each individual mom. And that's. I mean, that should, that's how it is in sports in general. You don't treat everyone the same. Everyone has totally different needs to be at their best, at least.

[Alison Cooch]

Absolutely. What does balance look like for you now, both professionally and in motherhood, you.

[Ashlyn Harris]

Know, I used to always be on this journey of finding balance and what did that look like? And, you know, I think balance in life is really, really hard to sort and figure out. I find that if I go internally, which I never have had the ability to do, am I balanced inside? Because that will project on how I feel outwardly with doing everything, whether it's showing up as a parent, showing up in the business world, or showing up with my partner. Like, am I balanced in giving myself the things that I need to function as best as I can? And I think that has been the biggest shift for me, is not out here externally finding balance. It's really checking in and doing the work of how I. How do I feel centered in my body? Do I feel centered? Am I getting enough exercise? Am I eating right? Am I getting enough sleep? Like that is going to affect the balance outwardly of my life. So it's really just making sure I'm checking in with what I want and what I need. And I think that's been the biggest shift from being a player because when I stepped on the field or in the locker room, it wasn't about me. And that is now something I love because I get to choose a lot of things. I didn't, you know, I didn't get the choice to say I knew what time practice was. I knew when my meetings were. I knew when my travel was. You know, like, everything was so routine and so structured. And now I'm in the ability to choose a lot of things. So with that, it's really important that I feel balance within myself so I can really execute the things I need and not be a walking nightmare.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah. And now that you have the ability to make those decisions for yourself and you're not. Don't have to be at practice at a certain time or be at this game or. Now that you're able to set your kind of your own cadence to your life, what are you finding yourself? Where are you finding yourself getting the most passion? Like, what do you. What is like, feeding your soul right now?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Oh, my kids. My kids. Like, I am absolutely obsessed with being a mom. I, like, I am obsessed with spending time with my kids. I think there is something money can't buy in its time, and I don't want to miss a moment of it. And it moved. I mean, my son just had his third birthday last week, and time moves. It's a thief. It moves so quickly with kids, and I. I know I'll never get this back. Work will always Be there, you know, and my presence and my ability to show up for my children, that is my purpose. That is my why. That is what I love and that is what I get to choose. And if it comes at the cost of a work trip here or there, I've already sacrificed enough in my life. It's one thing I'm not willing to compromise is time with my kids.

[Alison Cooch]

Yeah, I love that. And then lastly, before we enter, some rapid fire questions before wrapping up. What are you looking forward to? Like, what is next for you?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Well, I'm really excited. I've been working on this project with hello Sunshine. It's a sports doc series that will be coming out pretty soon and it's taken a lot of work and I love it so much. And I'm producing and I work at a women's sports firm that's only dedicated to commercial investment into women's sports. So I'm really sitting at the center of sport and entertainment. And I love it and my body loves it too, because I don't have to completely destroy every single joint I have. But yeah, these are the things I'm really excited about and I'm looking forward to. I want to keep building out storytelling and movies and I've gotten some opportunities to build out scripts and like, I'm enjoying. I love being curious, I love being creative. And I'll tell you what has served me so well. Being an athlete is honestly, there's not one room that scares me when I walk into it. And I think it's such a great asset to have a seat at the table and try new things and not be scared that, oh, these people have been in this industry for a lot longer than I have. Like, I really have just, I'm just diving in and it's really fun.

[Alison Cooch]

I love that. My, my husband always said whenever we are in the position to hire somebody or working with somebody and he finds out they're an athlete, he's always just like geeked up about it because he's like, they have this mindset that you can't instill in people like you. You just have to put up with a lot of shit. You have to be timely and it just carves you into a person that's just not going to take no for an answer. And it's the going into a room and not being scared or not being intimidated. It also remains true because you, you go through so many things while being an athlete. So extremely.

[Ashlyn Harris]

Also feedback. I'm not scared of feedback. I've been for my whole career. Jesus. Everyone has told me I'm not enough in something. So, you know, I. I think that's the biggest thing with an athlete is your ability to be coachable and adapt at that. You know, if I. If my boss sits me down and is like. And trust me, I've been. I've been sat down before about. Hey, just be careful with saying that and your tone towards that and this. I'm like, okay, cool. Keep pushing. I'll be better next time.

[Alison Cooch]

I love that. All right. Rapid fire questions. And their soccer themed, of course. Fun and grass or turf?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Oh, grass. Turf's out.

[Alison Cooch]

Husband hates turf for recovery. Ice bath or hot tub?

[Ashlyn Harris]

I'm a. I'm a both. I know that's maybe not the. I do contrast. Contrast. Yeah, I have to do contrast.

[Alison Cooch]

Home games or away games?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Home games.

[Alison Cooch]

Watching a game from a suite or on the field?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Oh, my God. On the field. I hate sweets.

[Alison Cooch]

No, literally same. I do not. That sounds.

[Ashlyn Harris]

Don't put me in a suite.

[Alison Cooch]

I know. I'm like. That sounds out of touch for me to say, but especially at a football game, I can't see on the action. Yeah, I want to be in there. I want to be. I want someone pouring their beer on me on accident. Celebrating after big saves or staying focused.

[Ashlyn Harris]

Staying focused.

[Alison Cooch]

Megan Rapinoe or Mia Ham.

[Ashlyn Harris]

Oh, my God, don't do that to me. That is so wrong. I mean, Mia. Mia Ham's one of the greatest of all time. I. I have to. And they. The good thing is, is they play different positions, like, Right. Even though they're attackers and their job is to score goals like, they can play it out wide. So I. I'm gonna say Mia Hamilton.

[Alison Cooch]

Coaching your kids teams or cheering from the sidelines?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Oh, sidelines. I would never.

[Alison Cooch]

All right, and that's it. Where can the people find you?

[Ashlyn Harris]

Yeah, I'm on Instagram. Ashlyn Harris. I don't even know what my handle is. I think it's 24. And, yeah, I try to honestly to stay off social media as much as I can these days to protect my own peace and creativity. But, yeah, where you can find me is honestly, my podcast with iHeartRadio is wide open with Ashlyn Harris, and my episodes drop every Monday. So right now, that's been a real. My real hobby and treat.

[Alison Cooch]

I love that. All right, well, thank you so much for coming on, and I hope you guys enjoyed listening. Be sure to check out Ashley's Ashlyn's show and all of her socials for.

[Ashlyn Harris]

For more.

[Alison Cooch]

Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.