Megan Rapinoe Opens Up About Reinventing Herself

Welcome to the Party

Treat Media

Sports

4.9 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 May 2026

⏱️ 83 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week, Megan Rapinoe joins the party and this might be one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had on the show. Pinoe opens up about the emotional reality of retirement, losing the structure and identity that came with elite competition, and what happens when one of the most recognizable athletes in the world suddenly has to figure out who she is outside of the game. She talks candidly about the grief of leaving soccer behind, navigating public life and parasocial relationships, struggling to find purpose in year two of retirement, and learning how to separate “Megan Rapinoe the person” from “Megan Rapinoe the icon.” She also shares what’s exciting her now: photography, storytelling, investing in women’s sports, creative freedom, and building the future of the game through media and culture. Plus, Abby and Julie reflect on their own retirements, the pressure of elite sports, and why life after competition can be so much harder than anyone prepares you for. Before the interview, the crew dives into WNBA opening weekend, Allyson Felix’s possible comeback, Rachel Entrekin making ultramarathon history, Abby receiving her fourth honorary degree at Duke, and more women’s sports headlines from around the party. Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Keep the Party Going: Follow Ultramarathoner Rachel Entrekin Check Out the UCLA teammates Reunited in the WNBA Learn More About Allyson Felix’s Fight For Mothers: Allyson Felix Took On Corporate Sports—and Won | Welcome To The Party and https://www.olympics.com/en/news/advocacy-allyson-felix-fight-for-maternal-rights-sports NCAA Women’s Softball Tournament Schedule Follow the UCLA’s Women’s Beach Volleyball Team Dallas Pulse split Major League Volleyball’s 1 Million dollar prize A Touch More Podcast - starting June 11th, Megan Rapinoe will be telling the story of the 2026 World Cup Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Transcript

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0:00.0	That was all like cute to think about until the entire undergirding of your orientation in the world and how you go about life.
0:11.7	All of a sudden, like on a Sunday, it's one thing and then on Monday.
0:15.4	It's just not there.
0:17.0	The reason why you were so successful on the soccer field is because you did it your way.
0:21.9	She crosses the ball in the air.
0:23.9	Yeah, which is to get the force behind your leg, yes, is hard.
0:28.3	Kicking behind the standing leg.
0:30.5	And all of us were like, what just happened?
0:32.8	Like we were so amazed and also Christine was pissed because she was like, just hit it.
0:38.8	Just hit it normally with your left leg.
0:40.9	It's so ill.
0:41.5	I was like, dink that thing right to the back post
0:44.6	by working.
0:46.8	That was the day that I knew Megan Rapino
0:48.4	was gonna be a star.
0:50.1	Attention.
0:52.8	The party is about to commence.
0:57.0	Welcome to the party.
1:06.0	What's up, party people? I'm Julie Fowdy.
1:08.0	And I'm Abby Wambach.
1:10.0	Hi, Jules. How are you? Hi, Abigail. I'm good.owdy. And I'm Abby Wambach. Hi, Jules.
1:11.4	How are you?
	...

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