Maria Sharapova sits down with Marie-Louise Sciò, CEO and creative director of the iconic Italian luxury hospitality company, the Pellicano Group. 

Marie-Louise shares her remarkable journey from watching her mom’s hotel parties from behind the rosemary bushes to securing a $200 million investment and expanding across Italy. 

Together, Maria and Marie-Louise laugh, drink Negronis, and ponder the true meaning of luxury. Tune in as they sip, share stories, and unpack what it really takes to build an unforgettable brand and customer experience.

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LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠:  https://pod.link/1893437254CHAPTERS

00:00 | Introduction: Negronis at Noon and Perfecting Italian Luxury

01:17 | The Quote: Why Sex, Fun, and Joy Never Go Out of Style

04:00 | Growing Up Il Pellicano: Hiding Behind Rosemary Bushes and Lobster Rescues

06:55 | Taking the Leap: Designing Bathrooms and Rethinking the Hotel Brand

10:45 | The Power of Details: Stolen Ashtrays and the Iconic Pellicano Book

12:00 | Launching ISSIMO: Bringing Italy's Cabinet of Curiosities Digital

14:40 | Breaking the Rules: Cold-Writing Birkenstock and Embracing Bold Risks

17:15 | Respecting Heritage: Evolving a Legacy Hotel Without Destroying Its DNA

21:05 | Scaling Up: Raising €200 Million and Acquiring New Tuscan Gems

26:40 | The Ultimate Taste Test: Comparing Cocktails with Hotel Il Pellicano’s Legendary Barman

28:30 | Disconnecting in Luxury: Why Phones Are the Enemy of Relaxation

33:20 | The Ultimate Hotel Checklist: Mattresses, Lighting, and Bathrooms

34:40 | Marie-Louise’s Top 3 Hidden-Gem Hotels Outside of Her Group

38:50 | Constant Growth: Finding Lessons and Inspiration in Everything

40:00 | Pretty Tough Tips: Moving at the Speed of Opportunity

43:10 | Pretty Tough Rapid Fire: Unlearning Control, Misconceptions, and What Makes Her Feel Pretty

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About Pretty Tough

Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

About Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.

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Maria Sharapova sits down with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, author, and activist Malala Yousafzai to discuss breaking out of public expectations, prioritizing mental health, and why she wants more women in ownership roles in women's sports.
Hear how Malala and her husband Asser are investing in women's sports through Recess Capital. They dive into how ‘the Caitlin Clark effect’ is changing the narrative, and why women's sports are the next profitable powerhouses.

Come see Maria live in New York. Tickets Here https://prettytoughlive.splashthat.com/
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CHAPTERS
00:00 | Introduction: Finding More Women in the Boardroom & Owner's Box
00:30 | Malala Yousafzai: Activist and Investor
02:15 | Surviving the Hedge Maze of Life
03:40 | Waking Up in Birmingham: The First Moments After the Attack
06:00 | Losing Control of Your Own Narrative at 15 Years Old
08:50 | The Reality of Activism: A Lifetime Commitment
11:15 | Surviving and Thriving as a Student at Oxford
14:50 | Shifting Perspectives on Marriage, Love, and Patriarchal Institutions
16:30 | The Philosophy of Activism: Drawing Inspiration from Family
19:40 | Why Sports? Malala’s Mental Health Journey and Running
21:40 | Competitive Gym Sessions: Weightlifting with Her Husband
25:00 | The Contrast of Winning a Nobel Prize vs. Losing Student Council
28:10 | Fighting for the Afghan Women’s Soccer Team in Exile
31:15 | Launching Recess Capital: Changing Women's Sports Ownership
36:00 | The Caitlin Clark Effect and Shifting Public Narrative
38:50 | Balancing Nonprofits and For-Profit Venture Funds for Financial Independence
42:15 | Redesigning Sports for Women: Maternity Care, Apparel, and Equal Pay
45:30 | Preparing for High-Stakes Meetings with Global Leaders
49:00 | Owning Mistakes and Evolving Public Image
54:30 | Prioritizing Mental Health, Therapy, and Self-Care
00:59:00 | Lightning Round: Unlearning, Routines, and Misconceptions
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About Pretty Tough
Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.
Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.
About Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.YouTubeMaria SharapovaFive-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova brings her trademark intensity and drive to a weekly podcast that challenges how female ambition is defined and discussed. In each episode of Pretty Tough, Sharapova sits down with high-achieving women across industries for candid, wide-ranging conversations about their pursuit of excellence without apology. Inspired by Sharapova’s own journey as a world-class athlete and entrepreneur, the show serves as a space where discussions about peak performance, career strategy, wellness, and leadership aren't diluted by gender-specific expectations and where being gritty and being female aren't seen as contradictory states of being.
New episodes drop Wednesdays. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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How do you bring a legendary brand back from the dead?

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As the Managing Director of F1 Academy, Susie Wolff is helping reshape the future of motorsport. Susie joins Maria to discuss navigating the high-stakes negotiations, the pressure of maximizing growth while F1 Racing is having its moment, and what its like holding her ground in rooms where she's often the only woman at the table.

Susie opens up about racing through injury, the power of saying no, and getting tough love from her husband, racing legend Toto Wolff.

All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough.

Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA.

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00:00 Introduction: Resilience in Business and Sports

02:00 Defining Calculated Risks

04:55 Childhood Influence: Equal Opportunity and Drive

06:50 The Reality of Racing: Noise, Gender, and Performance

10:07 Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable

12:20 Navigating Career Setbacks and Injury

18:15 The Intuition Behind Career Pivots

21:30 Ambition, Motherhood, and Identity

24:25 The Power of Saying "No"

27:00 Life After Retirement: Self-Discovery

32:00 Challenging Perceptions: Femininity and the "Pink Car"

35:30 The Future of Women in F1

38:30 Taking the Helm at F1 Academy

43:10 The Strength in Asking for Help

46:30 Breaking Barriers in the Workplace

49:25 Working with Toto: Directness, Honesty, and Partnership

54:30 Raising a Son in the Motorsport World

57:20 What’s Next for Susie Wolff

58:15 Pretty Tough Tips: Resilience

1:01:15 Rapid Fire: Unlearning Selfishness and Finding Confidence

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Legendary ballerina Misty Copeland pulls back the curtain on the most pivotal moments of her career. From performing on the Oscars stage alongside the cast of Sinners—and addressing Timothée Chalamet’s infamous comments—to the unique experience of collaborating with icons like Prince and Taylor Swift, Misty shares it all.

Misty and Maria also dive into the reality of performing through injury: the physical toll, the mental resilience required to keep going, and what these challenges taught her about her body and its limits. Misty Copeland is the true embodiment of Pretty Tough.

All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough.

Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA.

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00:00:00 – Intro: The Evolving Athlete

00:02:15 – Finding Her Voice: Overcoming "Little Mouse"

00:07:30 – Survival Mode to Artistic Passion

00:09:30 – The First Ballet Class: From Basketball Court to Prodigy

00:13:45 – The Studio as a Sanctuary

00:14:15 – Stage Presence vs. Public Speaking Nerves

00:19:30 – The Power of Consistency in Performance

00:22:00 – Dancing Through Pain: The 2012 Firebird Season

00:27:15 – A Career-Ending Injury and the Road to Recovery

00:29:45 – Redefining the Relationship to Pain

00:32:00 – Lifelong Learning: Evolving Technique Post-Principal

00:33:45 – Art vs. Sport: Why Ballet is Subjective

00:36:00 – Breaking the Curtain: The Role of Social Media

00:39:00 – The Farewell Performance: A Thank You to the Journey

00:42:30 – The Prince Connection: Lessons in Identity and Excellence

00:47:00 – Returning to the Stage: The Oscars and Sinners

00:51:30 – Collaborating with Taylor Swift

00:53:00 – Addressing the Timothée Chalamet Comments

00:56:45 – Future of Dance: Production and Storytelling

00:59:45 – Closing the Financial Gap in Arts Education

01:01:15 – The Misty Copeland Foundation’s Mission

01:03:30 – Parenting and Letting Go of Control

01:09:15 – Strategic Partnerships and Protecting the Brand

01:14:00 – Life After Ballet: Defining a New Identity

01:15:30 – Rapid Fire: Unlearning Pain and Defining Toughness

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What does it take to manage the finances of the world’s most powerful sports league? In this episode, Maria sits down with Christine Dorfler, the CFO of the NFL, for an unfiltered look at the business behind the game.

From her journey as an Army Captain to navigating the complex financial landscape of the NFL, Christine shares the leadership lessons and high-stakes decision-making that keep the league growing. We dive into the "Billion-Dollar" choices that impact everything from international expansion to the game-day experience. And of course ‘The Taylor Swift Effect.’

All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough.

Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA.

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00:00:00 – The Power of Confidence and Humility

00:02:00 – Learning to Lose: Lessons from Sports

00:03:45 – Leadership Lessons from the Army

00:06:00 – Taking a Big Promotion During Maternity Leave

00:09:40 – The Art of Saying "No" in Finance

00:10:45 – Moving into the Sports Industry

00:12:30 – Advice for Young, Ambitious Professionals

00:14:30 – Transitioning to the NFL

00:15:30 – Roger Goodell’s Leadership Style

00:18:00 – The "Taylor Swift Effect" on NFL Viewership

00:20:45 – Growing Girls’ Flag Football

00:22:45 – Mastering the Art of Negotiation

00:24:45 – Reflecting on the NFL-ESPN Media Deal

00:29:45 – Sports Betting and Protecting Game Integrity

00:33:45 – Global Expansion and New International Markets

00:38:15 – Evolving Fan Consumption Habits

00:41:00 – Lightning Round: Routine, Perfection, and Resilience

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This week on the show, editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest Amy Astley reflects on her path from aspiring ballerina to journalist to leading some of the most influential publications in fashion and design, including Architectural Digest and Teen Vogue. She opens up working alongside Anna Wintour, navigating high-pressure creative environments, learning to trust her instincts, and her thoughts on what it truly means to be a “taste maker.”

Together, Maria and Amy talk about perfectionism, ambition, mentorship, self-doubt, and the pressure women often feel to prove themselves in leadership roles. They also discuss taste, storytelling, social media, creative risk-taking, and why curiosity may be the most important skill of all.

All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough.

Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA.

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00:00:00 Intro: Redefining Taste in a Borderless World

00:02:18 The "Dutiful Daughter" Archetype in Business

00:04:00 Ballet Beginnings: Learning Discipline and Letting Go

00:08:24 Career Lessons from Anna Wintour

00:10:04 The Power of Saying "Yes" and Taking Opportunities

00:12:44 Transforming Architectural Digest

00:14:14 The Mission Behind Teen Vogue

00:17:15 The Strategy Behind Magazine Covers

00:23:18 The Digital Evolution of Legacy Media

00:28:48 Pretty Tough Tips: Visualization for Success

00:33:55 The "Open Door" Series: Connecting Through Content

00:43:24 Facing the Future: AI in Publishing

00:51:57 Moving Beyond the "Tastemaker" Label

00:55:00 Integrating Personal Life and Professional Practice

01:00:17 NYC Design Recommendations

01:04:12 Pretty Tough Questions: Lessons, Routines, and Perfectionism

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This week on the show, model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham joins Maria for a conversation about confidence, body image, ambition, and self-worth. Ashley opens up about navigating criticism in the fashion industry and impossible standards placed on women — especially in industries built around image. 

Together, Maria and Ashley talk about perfectionism, motherhood, changing bodies, identity, resilience, and how to spot a good business opportunity. It all adds up to an inspiring conversation around how to live unapologetically.

All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough.

Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA.

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00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:45 Being Unapologetic: Identity & Career Longevity

00:03:30 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a CEO

00:04:45 Early Scrutiny: Dealing with Body Standards from Age 12 00:06:20 The Defining Moment: How Her Mother’s Advice Saved Her Career

00:07:45 The Evolution of the Body: Life After Three Kids

00:10:00 The "Banned" Lane Bryant Ad & Dealing with Public Scrutiny 00:12:35 Handling Negative Comments & Mental Toughness

00:15:15 The Historic 2016 Sports Illustrated Cover

00:18:00 The Power of the Platform: Changing Lives Through Authenticity 00:20:00 Tony Robbins & The Importance of Celebrating Wins

00:21:40 Impact of GLP-1s & Modern Body Image Trends

00:24:00 The Future of Modeling & AI

00:26:00 Postpartum Realities & Balancing Motherhood

00:28:15 Managing Mental Drainage: Routines, Boundaries, & Parenting 00:31:00 Broadway Debut: Making It Happen Through Grit

00:34:00 Debunking the Myth of "Overnight Success"

00:36:00 From Model to Founder: Building Her Wine Company, Luce 00:43:00 Strategic Planning & The Value of Intergenerational Friendships 00:44:45 Pretty Tough Q&A: Unlearning Hard Habits & Finding Power

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Clinical psychologist Becky Kennedy — better known as Dr. Becky — joins Maria for a conversation about parenting, resilience, confidence, and emotional growth.

Dr. Becky shares why she believes struggle is an essential part of development, how parents can stay grounded during emotional moments, and why perfectionism often starts much earlier than we think. Together, she and Maria talk about self-worth, boundaries, anxiety, shame, and the pressure parents feel to “get everything right.”

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Comedian and best-selling author Chelsea Handler has built a career on saying exactly what she thinks, regardless of the consequences. From stand-up comedy and bestselling books to hit television shows, she’s never played by anyone else’s rules.

Maria and Chelsea first connected at the 2012 Olympics and have been friends ever since. 

Maria explores what drives Chelsea’s independence across every chapter of her life and how she continues to evolve through therapy, travel, and psychedelics. They discuss reinvention, freedom, and what it really means to live life on your own terms. Maria also asks the question she’s been curious about for years: after all the success, what keeps Chelsea pushing forward?

The result is a conversation that is funny, honest, and unexpectedly thoughtful, everything you’d expect when Chelsea Handler is in the room.

All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough.

Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA.

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