From World Cup Wins to Motherhood Magic: Carli Lloyd’s New Chapter
In this episode of The Running Wine Mom, host Samantha Cieslinski sits down with the iconic Carli Lloyd—two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Olympic gold medalist, World Cup champion, and now, mom to baby Harper.
From penalty kicks to parenting shifts, Carli opens up like never before. We talk about:
- The identity shift from elite athlete to new motherhood
- Her IVF journey and the strength she discovered along the way
- Why your emotional energy matters—from pregnancy through postpartum
- How she’s raising Harper with intention (and without pressure to follow in her cleats)
- Redefining success, building a village, and embracing vulnerability after a career built on toughness
Whether you're a sports fan, a new parent, or just someone trying to figure it out one step (or sip) at a time—this conversation is full of wisdom, humor, and heart.
🍼 In This Episode, We Cover:
- [00:01] Wine, Whine, and Win of the Week (Carli’s love of Pinot Noir... and sleep battles)
- [06:00] The hidden challenges that shaped her career resilience
- [12:00] Carli & Brian’s IVF journey and the birth of baby Harper
- [19:00] What no one tells you about postpartum life (leaks, sweats, and all)
- [25:00] Identity shifts from "Carli the competitor" to mom, mentor, and softie
- [33:00] Her Hall of Fame induction—with Harper witnessing her legacy 🏆
- [37:00] Why she's trading intensity for presence, and competition for connection
- [44:00] Advice to young athletes (and moms): do the inner work
🔗 Links & Mentions:
- 🌐 Carli Lloyd’s Official Website: carliLloyd.com
- 📸 Follow Carli on Instagram: @carlilloyd
- 🐦 Follow Carli on X (Twitter): @CarliLloyd
- 📘 Carli’s Memoir: When Nobody Was Watching
- 🍼 Hall of Fame Speech: Watch the Moment
- ⚽ TST Tournament Win: 1 Million Dollar Victory
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
Never miss an episode of The Running Wine Mom:
- 📲 Instagram: @therunningwinemom_
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🥂 Final Takeaway:
Carli Lloyd reminds us that the same grit that wins championships can also carry us through sleepless nights, quiet pivots, and the beautiful chaos of motherhood. Reinvention isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.
