Double Date with Megan Rapinoe & Sue Bird! (Best Of)

Aging Challenges

Aging athletes face unique challenges as they strive to maintain their competitive edge while dealing with the inevitable physical decline. Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe share their experiences of balancing their mental acuity with their body's limitations. Sue describes this as a "dance," where some days she feels invincible, and others, her body reminds her of its limits 1. Megan echoes this sentiment, acknowledging that if physical abilities were equal, they would outperform younger athletes due to their experience and knowledge 1.

It's just about bringing this body along to get it to the point where it can halfway do what my mind is asking.

--- Megan Rapinoe

Despite these challenges, both athletes continue to excel by adapting their training and leveraging their experience to stay competitive 2.

   

Retirement Transition

As they approach retirement, athletes like Sue and Megan grapple with the transition from sports to life beyond the field. Sue reflects on the identity crisis that accompanies retirement, questioning who she is without basketball 3. Megan, on the other hand, discusses the challenge of balancing her soccer career with securing her financial future, especially given the disparities in treatment and pay in women's sports 4.

I think that's actually the thing that is the hardest all the time, and particularly for me, since 2019, is, like, the balance between doing my job, which is playing soccer, at least it's one of my jobs.

--- Megan Rapinoe

Both athletes are navigating these transitions by embracing new opportunities and redefining their identities beyond their athletic careers.

   

Managing Doubt

Self-doubt is a common experience for athletes, even those at the top of their game. Abby Wambach and Megan discuss the "Sunday scaries," a feeling of anxiety and doubt about their abilities, especially after taking breaks from training 5. Megan shares how she manages these feelings by gradually easing back into training, which helps her regain confidence in her physical capabilities 5.

Do you guys feel like you can do sports yet? Or do you still feel like you're just tricking the world every time?

--- Glennon Doyle

Additionally, Megan and Sue recount their Olympic experiences, highlighting the disparities in treatment between male and female athletes, which further fuels their determination to succeed despite the odds 6.