Soccer icon Abby Wambach joins Cheryl Strayed to explore the inner life behind extraordinary achievement. Abby reflects on the relentless drive that fueled her legendary career, the complicated relationship between success and self-worth, and the emotional journey of redefining identity after elite sports. Together, they discuss grief, sobriety, partnership, and what it means to live with both humility and audacity. The episode ultimately asks a powerful question: how do we measure a meaningful life once the medals are won?

Soccer icon Abby Wambach joins Cheryl Strayed to explore the inner life behind extraordinary achievement. Abby reflects on the relentless drive that fueled her legendary career, the complicated relationship between success and self-worth, and the emotional journey of redefining identity after elite sports. Together, they discuss grief, sobriety, partnership, and what it means to live with both humility and audacity. The episode ultimately asks a powerful question: how do we measure a meaningful life once the medals are won?

From the bestselling author of Wild and co-host of the beloved Dear Sugars podcast, Cheryl Strayed returns with a new kind of journey.

In Mind Over Mountain with Cheryl Strayed, Cheryl sits down with athletes and adventurers from the most high-adrenaline corners of the world (climbers, surfers, ultramarathoners and more) to discuss the inner landscapes that inspired these extraordinary feats, and give advice to listeners on how they too can face seemingly insurmountable moments in their own lives.

From the bestselling author of Wild and co-host of the beloved Dear Sugars podcast, Cheryl Strayed returns with a new kind of journey.
In Mind Over Mountain with Cheryl Strayed, Cheryl sits down with athletes and adventurers from the most high-adrenaline corners of the world (climbers, surfers, ultramarathoners and more) to discuss the inner landscapes that inspired these extraordinary feats, and give advice to listeners on how they too can face seemingly insurmountable moments in their own lives.

Mind Over Mountain

The Audacity of Vulnerability with Abby Wambach

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/65abc37e-5de4-4819-a810-b41e013c2a34/transcript

Olympic heptathlete Chari Hawkins opens up about what it really feels like to keep going when everything falls apart. What begins as a reflection on Chari’s career unfolds into something much more vulnerable—her struggles with identity, the quiet devastation of missing the Olympic team, and a moment where she wasn’t sure she wanted to keep going at all. Together, we explore fear, failure, and the small, brave decisions that shape a life. Our Dear Sugar letter this week touches on what it means to start before you feel ready, reminding us that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s learning how to live alongside it.

Olympic heptathlete Chari Hawkins opens up about what it really feels like to keep going when everything falls apart. What begins as a reflection on Chari&rsquo;s career unfolds into something much more vulnerable&mdash;her struggles with identity, the quiet devastation of missing the Olympic team, and a moment where she wasn&rsquo;t sure she wanted to keep going at all. Together, we explore fear, failure, and the small, brave decisions that shape a life. Our Dear Sugar letter this week touches on what it means to start before you feel ready, reminding us that courage isn&rsquo;t the absence of fear&mdash;it&rsquo;s learning how to live alongside it.

Overcoming Hurdles with Olympic Heptathlete Chari Hawkins

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/48302ccb-b78d-42e0-8894-b442011ef35a/transcript

Maddy Schaffrick joins Cheryl for a deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. Maddy reflects on becoming a professional snowboarder at just 14, the pressure and injuries that led her to retire at 20, and how she rebuilt her life afterward. She discusses what it's like to go from teen prodigy to burning out and how coaching young athletes helped her discover a new mindset rooted in self-belief rather than external validation. Together they explore the importance of finding your “why,” navigating self-doubt, and learning how to fall and get back up, both on and off the mountain.

Maddy Schaffrick joins Cheryl for a deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. Maddy reflects on becoming a professional snowboarder at just 14, the pressure and injuries that led her to retire at 20, and how she rebuilt her life afterward. She discusses what it's like to go from teen prodigy to burning out and how coaching young athletes helped her discover a new mindset rooted in self-belief rather than external validation. Together they explore the importance of finding your &ldquo;why,&rdquo; navigating self-doubt, and learning how to fall and get back up, both on and off the mountain.

The Comeback Mindset with Maddy Schaffrick

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ff7d921b-5ccc-4f3d-bc14-b43b01806d4d/transcript

Iditarod musher and bestselling author Blair Braverman joins Cheryl for a conversation about risk, resilience, and the deep bond between humans and animals. She shares what it’s like to navigate blizzards, isolation, and uncertainty all while being guided by her dogs. Together, they explore fear, leadership, and how trust is built not through control, but through genuine connection.

Iditarod musher and bestselling author Blair Braverman joins Cheryl for a conversation about risk, resilience, and the deep bond between humans and animals. She shares what it&rsquo;s like to navigate blizzards, isolation, and uncertainty all while being guided by her dogs. Together, they explore fear, leadership, and how trust is built not through control, but through genuine connection.

Trust the Dogs: Blair Braverman on Letting Go and Staying Alive

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d4b332ff-ebec-40c3-b732-b43301704984/transcript

The Audacity of Vulnerability with Abby Wambach

Mind Over Mountain

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Mind Over Mountain

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