56-Britt Eckerstrom-on the power of being uncomfortable and seeking adventure

In today’s episode I interview Portland Thorns goalkeeper Britt Eckerstrom. 

Britt is a really special soul. If you ever meet her, you’ll instantly feel her positive vibes. She is someone who is always down for adventure and incredibly open and accepting of everyone she meets. Britt grew up in Maryland. In high school, she ran cross country and played soccer. She then committed to Penn State. Britt captained the team her senior year and led them to win an NCAA championship-which she considers the greatest accomplishment of her career thus far.  Britt was then drafted to the Western New York Flash, and later traded to the Portland Thorns, where she won an NWSL championship.  She’s also played overseas in Australia with the Newcastle Jets, where she was a nominee for the leagues Player of The year. 

In our convo we talk about:

• why she likes putting herself in uncomfortable situations 

• her newfound competitive ping pong career

• the wild story of how the day before she was leaving for her first professional season, her family house burnt down. She reflects on how she dealt with losing nearly everything she owned

• why spending her off days hiking is one of the best things for her playing career

• what it means to be in a flow state

• the reason she always drives with her windows rolled down, regardless of the weather 

And lots more! 

Enjoy my conversation with the good-vibed, adventuring Britt Eckerstrom.

Listen on iTunes HERE 

Resources

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A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE

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47-Bianca Henninger-on finding balance, calming a hyper-analytical mind, and her affinity for business signs

In today’s episode I interview Mexico national team goalkeeper Bianca Henninger. Bianca attended Santa Clara University and currently plays club soccer for the Houston Dash. Growing up, Bianca was a frequent member of the youth U.S National Teams. In 2010, she received the US Soccer Young Female Athlete Award. She recently made the switch to the Mexico National team. Bianca is a fierce competitor on the field, but very easygoing and lighthearted off of it.

In her free time you’ll find Bianca cheering on her hometown Bay Area teams, walking up and down streets snapping photos of business signs, eating pizza, and obviously more.  

In our conversation Bianca talks about:

-the strategy she employs to get through tough workouts

-the importance of finding the balance that’s right for you

-the deep connection she has with her two creative brothers, whom are a filmmaker and singer/songwriter

-the effect stress has on your play

-what spurred her decision to switch from the U.S to the Mexico national team

-how she calms her over-active mind, which she claims could be a television show

-why living in Houston has forced her to change her fashion style

-her affinity for business signs (she’s cool with Universal signs too, but she’s a BIG FAN of the business signs)

And more.

Enjoy my conversation with the balance-seeking, sign-loving Bianca Henninger

Listen on iTunes HERE

Shownotes
:52                          Who is Bianca Henninger ?
3:01                       Her love of signs
4:19                      Her favorite sign
6:42                     Bianca’s brothers
9:00                    What influence did her parent’s have on her lifestyle?
10:35                   Why did Bianca’s dad always give her books and when did she love reading?
14:20                   Her favorite book
16:38                   U-20 World Cup penalty kick trauma – the triple encroachment!
20:38                   What was her reaction to the loss?
22:48                   What mindset strategies does she use for her training?
25:40                   Does Bianca take responsibility for a loss as a goalkeeper?
28:01                   What process does she use to get back into a positive mindset?
29:05                   Bianca’s training thoughts
31:23                   Float therapy: in Portland: Ensofloat
34:45                   Bianca’s meditation practice
37:22                   What inspired Bianca’s move to the Mexican national team?
39:45                   What type of reaction did she get for the switch?
41:50                   Is there differences between the training and climate of the two national teams?
44:00                   What’s Bianca’s experience of living in Houston?
47:50                   What useful tip has she gotten from a goalkeeper coach?
49:49                   Bianca’s am routine
51:11                   Biggest misconception people have about Bianca?
52:50                   What belief or habit does Bianca have that others think is crazy?
1:00:35                 What is the worst advice Bianca has ever been given?
1:02:06                 What is Bianca’s favorite app?  VSCO 
1:03:14                 What one tip would you give to a female athlete?
Houston Dash
The Moth   

Resources

Follow Bianca Henninger:

On Instagram:

@benninger

On twitter:

@beeyoncs

Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz

Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe ever female athlete MUST read.

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If you haven’t already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here’s what to do.

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4. Click “write a review” and show me love <3

EP 07: Michelle Betos: Professional Goalkeeper-on obsession w/ improvement

Professional goalkeeper Michelle Betos (@MichelleBetos) knows a thing or two about being the underdog. She has played behind two of the arguably best goalkeepers in the world, in Hope Solo and Nadine Angerer.  In 2015, Michelle earned the NWSL 2015 goalkeeper of the year. She has played overseas in Australia, Denmark, Cyprus, and is now playing in Norway.

It is her attention to detail, obsession with improvement, and falling in love with process that causes her  to consistently reach new levels in her game.  In our conversation we talk about how soccer was not Michelle’s favorite sport as a kid, why she spent an entire day flushing her ankle in the toilet, her in-depth visualization techniques, her mom’s game day routine, and of course her diving header goal  that earned her a spot on ESPN Sports Center top 10 plays.

Show Notes:

:50  Who is Michelle Betos?
3:39   Welcome Michelle!
3:49  Why is her foot taped?
7:30  Why Michelle flushed her foot in the toilet for an entire day
8:52  What small details does Michelle do to excel?
10:53  Was soccer Michelle’s main sport as a youth?
11:45   When did Michelle focus only on soccer?
13:47  Michelle’s plump childhood, READ FULL ARTICLE HERE 
14:12  What was her driving force to go on a Paleo diet?
17:04  Was there one instance that forced Betos into focusing on small details?
23:05  What % of playing soccer is mental?
25:07  What does visualization practice entail?
27:05   What is Michelle’s morning routine?
32:10  Michelle’s ESPN worthy goal Watch VIDEO HERE
34:17   What is Michelle’s career highlight?
38:23  What is biggest misconception about Michelle?
39::19  What is one of Beto’s crazy beliefs?
40:23  Who is a Michelle’s non-athlete idol?
41:12  Favorite thing about being a professional athlete
42:04  Michelle’s game day routine
42:48  How is game day video different from practice day video?
43:38  Why does Michelle play soccer
44:06  Is pregame practice day different than game day?
45:00  What does a practice focus look like?
45:48 Sue Beto’s pregame routine
46.35  What does Michelle want to tell her 18 year old self?
47:20  What is Michelle’s favorite failure?
50:58  What simple tip can female athlete’s implement?
53:13  Michelle’s Arrow Tip for female athletes

Michelle’s favorite foam roller-water bottle:  Mobot

For More on Michelle:

Goalkeeper Michelle Betos’ Diving Header Goal was No Fluke

Michelle Betos’ Super-sized Childhood Leads to Super-sized Success

Twitter: @MichelleBetos

Instagram: @MichelleBetos

Share the love

If you haven’t already, I would be so very grateful if you rated and left me a review of the podcast. It takes two minutes! Here’s what to do.

1. Click HERE

2. Click “view in itunes”

3. Click the “ratings and reviews” tab

4. Click “write a review” and show me love <3

Resources

Click HERE to become a part of Friday Feelz

Click HERE for a list of the 10 books I believe ever female athlete MUST read.

Click HERE  to be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other exclusive content