Finding Small Wins

Welcome to another episode of Finding Small Wins Podcast, a space for conversations that pull back the curtain on sports, where to learn how to upgrade health & performance, and shed some light on how some of the best at what they do are finding the small wins that help them along the way.

Adam Loiacono, your host, is a physical therapist in the NBA & a former performance coach in Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League. 

In this episode, Adam is joined by Toni Pressley, an American professional soccer player who currently plays for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In 2019, Toni was diagnosed with breast cancer after getting a check-up at the recommendation of the team nutritionist. She successfully underwent surgery and returned to play in the Orlando Pride’s final game of the 2019 season.  Today she shares her story of surviving breast cancer and her experiences as a professional athlete. Toni also talks about her passion for having a vegan lifestyle and launched, along with Ali Riley, Girls Gone Veg, where two professional soccer players explore their passion for veganism. 

Key Takeaways:

[1:46] Toni introduces herself and shares how she met Adam.

[2:30] Toni talks about Girls Gone Veg.

[3:32] Toni talks about what motivated her to launch Girls Gone Veg.

[4:24] Toni shares her secret recipe for the best vegan lasagna,

[5:02] Toni expresses her thoughts about vegan meat and processed foods.

[6:55] How does Toni combine a vegan lifestyle with her life as a professional soccer player?

[8:28] What does it look like to be a vegan who plays for the Orlando Pride in the NWSL?

[9:06] Toni advises other athletes who also travel and want to maintain a vegan lifestyle.

[10:54] Was there a particular moment when Toni decided to embrace a vegan lifestyle?

[12:48] Toni confesses that she feels better since she became a vegan, and she shares the changes she noticed with a meatless diet.

[13:52] Did Toni’s training change due to her becoming vegan?

[14:28] Is it hard to meet the nutritional requirements while following a vegan diet?

[15:34] What do rehab specialists or performance practitioners need to be mindful of when training a female athlete? 

[18:04] Toni advises coaches on how to communicate more effectively.

[19:47] Toni talks about her experience battling breast cancer.

[21:19] What were Toni's daily habits that kept her strong when healing from cancer?

[23:48] What does Toni do to stay grounded and present?

[26:25] What is involved in playing professional soccer?

[28:39] Is Toni able to just play soccer, or does she have to do other things to supplement her salary?

[29:05] Have other players needed to look for other sources of income?

[30:54] Toni explains why soccer fitness is different from regular fitness.

[32:15] Toni remembers the time she went into pre-season with a struggle.

[34:54] How can we continue to elevate women in sports?

[36:50] Does Toni’s team have an academy system?

[37:39] “For Youth soccer, you need to have money to play.”

[40:03] Does Toni remember a moment when she thought, “If I didn’t play sports, I would have struggled here.”?

[41:08] How does Toni define a small win?

[42:05] Has Toni ever had a long-term rehab?

[45:02] Toni talks about the importance of showing others that you care.

[48:13] Toni answers rapid-fire questions!

Mentioned in this episode: 

Learn more about  Finding Small Wins

Follow  Adam Loiacono on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Find more about Girls Gone Veg

Sign up for the FREE 3P Injury Prevention Toolkit at www.AdamLoiacono.com

Follow Adam on Instagram for the latest insights on injury prevention and performance @Adam.Loiacono

For FREE Webinars, rehab tips, and performance plans, check out Adam's YouTube channel

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