Welcome to the Party – Gabby Thomas Wins At Everything

Podcast: Welcome to the Party
Hosts: Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, Billie Jean King (the “Kinger”)
Episode Date: October 7, 2025

Episode Overview

In this high-energy episode, soccer legends Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy, joined by Billie Jean King, convene to break down the latest hot topics in women’s sports before welcoming track icon Gabby Thomas. With candid, athlete-to-athlete conversation, they celebrate Gabby’s remarkable triple-gold performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics—and dig deep into her journey as a Harvard neurobiologist, public health advocate, and innovator in women’s sports. Gabby opens up about her path from academia to athletics, her mindset strategies, her off-track passions, and her investment in growing women’s track opportunities through the Athlos League.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. WNBA Player/League Tensions and CBA Negotiations

[00:31 – 08:07]

• Opening with heated discussion about WNBA star Nafisa Collier’s forceful call-out of league commissioner Kathy Engelbert regarding stalled collective bargaining.
• Julie Foudy shares highlights from Collier’s exit interview:

  “We have the best players in the world, we have the best fans in the world, but right now we have the worst leadership in the world.” (01:17, Foudy quoting Collier)

• Comparison to Abby and Julie’s own battles with US Soccer for equity.
• Concerns raised over lost trust:

  "When that is gone, which it was for us with US Soccer, it's really hard. And you could see it is gone with Kathy." (05:06, Foudy)

• The hosts stress need for player unity:

  "You stay unified. Who's driving the bus? We’re driving the bus." (08:07, Wambach)

2. Women’s Sports Headlines

[08:07 – 15:51]

• Las Vegas Aces are up 2-0 in their first best-of-seven WNBA Finals against the Phoenix Mercury; notable scoring records set by Jackie Young and Asia Wilson.
• The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) announces its largest season yet, expanding with two new teams.
• Washington Spirit offers free tickets to D.C. federal workers during the government shutdown, showing community support.

  “It’s about kind love and community.” (13:09, Foudy quoting Spirit CEO Kim Stone)

• Christine Sinclair honored with Portland Thorns jersey retirement and Hall of Fame induction, celebrating her global goal-scoring legacy.

Gabby Thomas: Athlete, Advocate, Academic

Interview Segment Begins: [15:51]

Introduction & Off-Season Life

[17:30 – 20:42]

• Gabby Thomas joins and shares post-Olympic break:

  “I have six weeks off of just no running at all. I don’t look at a track. Although the other day I did try the impossible mile...” (18:05, Thomas)

• Describes balancing relaxation with challenging herself (e.g., “impossible mile”), filling her break with friends and family.

Academic Background & Motivation

[25:54 – 31:06]

• Gabby discusses what drove her to neurobiology and public health.
• Her twin brother’s ADHD and another brother’s autism sparked her interest in neurobiology and advocacy for neurodivergent learners.

  "I wanted to create... an environment that serves them better. They’re forced to fit into our mold… I wanted to just design something different." (27:01, Thomas)

• Shifted focus to racial health disparities after taking sociology courses at Harvard.
• Public health degree at University of Texas during COVID-19 deepened her commitment to addressing inequality.

Balancing Pro Track with Advocacy

[31:06 – 36:31]

• Gabby credits her upbringing, especially her “superwoman” mother—a transformative educator—for inspiring her to make a difference beyond sport.

  "...my place had to be making a difference, giving back to society." (33:39, Thomas)

• Explains pro running’s flexibility; continued training post-Harvard with coach Tonja Buford-Bailey in Austin while working on her master’s degree.

The Road to Olympic Gold

[36:31 – 41:24]

• Journey from 2021 Tokyo Olympic bronze (her “favorite medal”) through injury, to her trio of Paris 2024 golds.
• Openness about setbacks as fuel:

  “...that ability to bounce back from losing, that ability to learn from each year before and staying consistent, staying committed…” (37:05, Thomas)

• Importance of resilience and learning from supposed failures.

Mental Preparation and Competitive Edge

[41:24 – 45:46]

• Gabby describes marginal gains strategy:

  “Hair was slicked back… very aerodynamic. I definitely was shaving little...Every little bit.” (41:27, Thomas)

• Emphasis on mental training:

  “My entire day is just about being calm, collected, Zen. Mainly meditation and just, like, having fun.” (41:27, Thomas)

• Visualization and meditation rooted in her Harvard experience:

  "When you have that power and control over yourself, yeah, I do believe it made all the difference." (44:41, Thomas)

Advice for Young Athletes

[47:20 – 49:23]

• Concrete tools for mental strength:

  “Even just taking five minutes each day to slow down and focus on your breathing… It seems antithetical...If you want to be really hyped up...but no, you need to be centered.” (47:46, Thomas)

• Writing affirmations:

  “I did write down ‘I will be Olympic champion’ hundreds and hundreds of times...Your brain is just really, really powerful and you can actually trick yourself into believing those things.” (48:54, Thomas)

Athlos League: Revolutionizing Pro Track

[49:39 – 53:17]

• Gabby as athlete-owner in Athlos League—a women’s pro track league, co-founded with Alexis Ohanian.
• Focused on putting track in the spotlight between Olympics, building fan bases, team models, and athlete empowerment.

  "It's a women's only track league for now. And it just really empowers athletes. Right. We have a say in it, we have equity in it..." (50:59, Thomas)

• Athlos’s high prize money pushes other events to increase athlete compensation:

  “Everyone else kind of stepped up when they saw that Athlos was serious about the prize money." (53:02, Thomas)

Party Poppers: Rapid-Fire Q&A with Gabby

[53:56 – 58:05]

• On Track Prize Money:

  “Now you can win $70,000 for winning a gold at World Championships, which is very funny because...Alexis offered $65,000 for winning gold at Athlos.” (54:54, Thomas)

• On Trying New Events:

  "Probably the four hurdles... I’m more of, like, a 400/400 hurdle build." (56:15, Thomas)

  • Surprise tease at potentially trying hurdles next!

• Will Gabby Become a Doctor?

  "Probably not. I'm gonna be honest. I think I've done enough school.” (57:41, Thomas)

• Who Would Gabby Bring to the Party?:

  "Immediately comes to mind is Sydney [McLaughlin]... I’d love to just ask her about the transition and probably challenge her to some type of 400 hurdle race in the far future." (58:05, Thomas)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Abby on athlete-led change:

  "Who's driving the bus? We're driving the bus." (08:07)

• Gabby Thomas on the blocks:

  "How you feel on the moment you step on the track is truly all that matters." (41:24)

• On mental resilience:

  "Once I got to this level, it is so easy to let the nerves get to you, to let the pressure get to you. But when you have that power and control over yourself, I do believe it made all the difference." (44:41)

• Julie, after Gabby leaves:

  “I want to be friends with Gabby. I feel like she would make me a better person. I’d be automatically smarter and faster just around her.” (61:34)

• Billie on visualization:

  "I had [Martina Navratilova] journal every morning and every night: ‘I won Wimbledon 1990.’ ... When I heard Gabby today, I’m like, ba-bang.” (61:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• WNBA Player-League Tension: 00:31 – 08:07
• Women’s Sports Headlines: 08:07 – 15:51
• Gabby Thomas Interview Start: 15:51
• Gabby on Academic & Athletic Balance: 25:54 – 36:31
• On Mindset & Olympic Gold: 36:31 – 45:46
• Mental Prep Tips for Young Athletes: 47:20 – 49:23
• Athlos League & Athlete Compensation: 49:39 – 53:17
• Party Poppers Rapid-Fire: 53:56 – 58:05

Episode Tone & Final Impressions

This episode is a true “sports party” — bouncing between spirited debate and celebration, behind-the-scenes insights, and affirmations of the power of community, resilience, and vision in women’s sports. The hosts’ irreverent camaraderie (“Are you shaving your legs?” “I’d be shaving my head!”) pairs perfectly with Gabby’s grounded intellect and warmth. Whether you're a die-hard track fan or new to women’s sports, this episode is a masterclass in being more than an athlete—Gabby Thomas stands as proof that you really can win at everything.