I loved the openness, and the authenticity that rarely is glimpsed in the lives of celebrity athletes. This book is very raw in its depiction of the emotions, the condition, and the turmoil that Wambach experienced in her life. In doing so, Wambach triggers a reaction, especially from this reader, to acknowledge the labels of my life and discern what the final word will be for me. She doesn’t hide the truth, and she doesn’t shy away from the pain. Each one has their defining moment of clarity when that label took center stage on her being. Each label marks significant experiences in her life – from her first time playing soccer as a child to her retirement in 2015. She focuses on each label that defines the person she has become. Most of Wambach’s labels are easy to identify, but her willingness to share the ones people are not most familiar with is courageous. The only thing they have in common is they apply to a specific individual and the uniqueness of her life. Some are positive – leader, mentor, lover – and others are negative – fraud, coward, addict. As we continue to grow and develop, this list of labels becomes longer and more intricate and complicated. These may be seemingly insignificant or descriptive of personality characteristics. Many of us acquire labels in early childhood. Read in her own words Abby’s tale of resilience, redemption, and acceptance of life’s challenges with fearlessness of heart. From a young girl playing on the boys’ soccer team, to a rebellious teen coming to terms with her talent and her sexuality and ending with the athlete who struggled to reconcile her professional success with her personal turmoil. In her captivating memoir, Wambach takes us on a journey through her life. What Abby couldn’t understand at such a young age was that soccer would become the currency she could pull out anytime to barter for security, acceptance, and even love. Being the youngest of seven children, Abby learned early that soccer was the key to getting the attention she craved from her parents. It was the attention of her mother that propelled young Abby to score more goals than anyone else.

But it wasn’t the thrill of scoring that drove her. Whether you are familiar with Abby Wambach or not, this is a memoir that illustrates no matter your legacy of professional skills and talent, private struggles will eventually invade your success and impact every part of your life.Īt five years old, Abby Wambach discovered that she had a talent for scoring soccer goals.

Forward by Abby Wambach is a candid look of one of the most prolific female athletes of our time.

Abby wambach book forward