Welcome to the Party

At just 25, Ali Truwit has lived a story few could imagine — and even fewer could survive. Ali’s life forever changed when her left foot was bitten off by a shark off the coast of Atlantic waters while in Turks and Caicos with a friend and teammate from Yale - just days after her college graduation. Ali returned to the pool just six weeks later. And within a year, represented Team USA at the Paralympics - taking home two silver medals. Next, she set her sights on the New York City Marathon.

In this powerful conversation, Billie Jean King, Abby Wambach, and Julie Foudy dive into Ali’s remarkable journey of resilience, purpose, and strength — from dumping tears out of her goggles to creating Stronger Than You Think, her foundation helping others heal through sport.

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Keep the Party Going:

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. honored Canadian hockey legend Marie-Philip Poulin by wearing her Team Canada jersey into Game 7 of the World Series: https://www.mlb.com/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-wears-marie-philip-poulin-team-canada-jersey-to-world-series-game-7

Ali’s Foundation, Stronger Than You Think: https://strongerthanyouthink.org/

Ali’s book that helped her, When Bad Things Happen to Good People: https://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Happen-Good-People/dp/1400034728

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Chapters:

00:00:00 Party Starts

00:00:22 Billie Jean King on the Dodgers’ Epic World Series

00:05:25 Meet Ali Truwit: Shark Attack Survivor Turned Paralympian

00:10:08 Running for a Cause – $220K for Prosthetic Blades

00:12:56 The Full-Circle NYC Marathon Moment

00:16:05 The Shark Attack Story

00:18:58 Turning Trauma into Purpose

00:20:41 From Survivor to Paralympian

00:24:46 Reliving the Trauma in Paris

00:26:57 “Stronger Than You Think” Documentary

00:27:53 Grief and the Athlete Mindset

00:29:22 The Power of Vulnerability

00:30:51 “Why Me?” and Gratitude

00:33:43 Marathon Finish with Her Mom

00:35:54 What’s Next For Ali – L.A. 2028

UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma does a drive by the pod — he’s got the rings in the trunk, stories in the glovebox — and nothing’s off limits. Geno talks about the next chapter of UConn basketball led by Azzi Fudd and rising star Sarah Strong, what it’s like coaching in a world of transfer portal chaos, and how the program keeps evolving through generations of stars like Taurasi, Bird, and Bueckers. Plus, he dishes out a few senior superlatives to some of his all-time greats.

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Keep the Party Going:

-TCS NYC Marathon winner Hellen Obiri embraces her family after the win: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQkHQcsCcWQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

-Geno shows off his 12 rings: https://www.tiktok.com/@brwsports/video/7496649276672544031

-NWSL Playoff Picture: https://www.nwslsoccer.com/playoffs

-Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. arriving to the World Series Game 7 in a game-worn Marie-Philip Poulin Team Canada jersey: https://www.mlb.com/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-wears-marie-philip-poulin-team-canada-jersey-to-world-series-game-7

-Cricket World Cup Final Highlights - India vs South Africa: https://youtu.be/frf8Drafn5A?si=gQSHPeAIg_Idr0_N

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

-Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

In this special Halloween edition Orlando Pride VP of Soccer Operations and Sporting Director Haley Carter join the crew to dig into what’s haunting women’s soccer — from questions around the salary cap to how the league can keep its biggest stars playing at home. No jump scares — just a really good conversation you don’t want to miss. It’s a thoughtful look at how the NWSL is evolving, even as the ghosts of past challenges linger. ?? Zero tricks, all treats.

Join the Party:Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:YouTube — @welcometothepartyshowInstagram — @welcometothepartyshowTikTok — @welcometothepartyshowEmail — [email protected]

Keep the Party Going:

- NWSL Collective Bargaining Agreement – https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41400681/nwsl-2024-cba-draft-free-agency-charter-flights-health-coverage-revenue-sharing

- The Guardian: “The Women Who Saved the Afghan National Soccer Team” – https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/29/afghanistan-special-report-athletes-escape-kabul

- USWNT players going to Europe isn’t an exodus. It’s an evolution - https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6742302/2025/10/23/women-soccer-uswnt-european-league-players/

Thank You to our Sponsors:* Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC* Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty for free shipping and 365-day returns.

Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon joins Abby and Julie fresh off another WNBA championship run — and she’s got stories. She shares the best advice she ever got from Greg Popovich, the one thing she values more than any ring, and the real story behind her now-famous hooded blazer look. Plus, let us not forget the “Tootsie Roll” - Becky shares the history behind her famous dance moves.

Join the Party:

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Keep the Party Going:

-America’s 25 most powerful women in sports: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2025/10/22/americas-most-powerful-women-in-sports-2025/

-Kate Douglass sets NEW WORLD RECORD with sub-50-second 100m free at Toronto World Cup: https://youtu.be/uaoi_Kqu9fs?si=3XHgzfkizit12qw0-

- Becky doing the “Tootsie Roll”: https://x.com/WNBA/status/1979374839883534478

-Aj’a and Becky’s relationship: https://x.com/YahooSports/status/1974316954925380037-A

New Documentary in the works about Becky: https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/10/17/smac-2463-plan-documentary-on-aces-becky-hammon/?issueId=MFJ2T5F7BJC4DBVMOGF3TMQC4U 

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

-Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

-Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day.

-Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

The party people asked—and Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy answered. From whether parents should coach their own kids, to how early specialization is hurting youth sports, to what they regret (and don’t) in life, this Q&A Power to the Party People episode has it all.

Plus, Abby uses a Sharpie and lip gloss to teach Julie the real meaning of “offside.”  

Keep the Party Going:

Linda Flanagan - Take Back The Game - https://lindaflanaganauthor.com

Join the Party:

Follow @welcometothepartyshow on:

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Email — [email protected]

Thank you to our sponsors:

-Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC-Start your therapy journey today by visiting  https://growtherapy.com/start/welcometotheparty/

-Start your career coaching today at https://www.strawberry.me/welcometotheparty

We’re throwing Alex Morgan a Welcome to the Party retirement party — and it’s exactly the kind of sendoff she deserves. The two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist joins Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy to talk about what comes after greatness: motherhood, learning to slow down after years of rushing, and building what’s next through her venture fund, foundation, and TOGETHXR (because, let’s be honest, everybody watches women’s sports). 

Join the Party:

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Keep the Party Going:

-Alex’s first goal in Philly — Abby’s assist, Julie’s call, Alex’s finish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

-All the moments that made her a legend, from World Cups to tea time: 

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/41161833/ranking-greatest-moments-uswnt-star-alex-morgan-career

-TogetherX, because everybody really does watch women’s sports: https://www.togethxr.com/

-The Alex Morgan Foundation — changing the game for girls everywhere: https://www.alexmorganfoundation.org/

-The Camino de Santiago, what finally made her slow down: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camino_de_Santiago

-Unrivaled, the women’s league built by Stewie and Phee — and backed by Alex: https://www.unrivaled.basketball/

Thank You to our Sponsors:

* Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

* Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com  https://www.onepeloton.com/

* Visit https://www.wayfair.com/ to get your go to items for game day. 

* Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes

From high school fields to World Cups and the Olympics, Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy talk about what makes a great teammate — the ones who push you, support you, and change how you play the game. They share stories about Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, Carla Overbeck, Brandi Chastain, and Christine Lilly  as they dig into the balance between competition and connection.

Join the Party:

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Go Deeper

Dr. Colleen Hacker | Pacific Lutheran University — bio, career highlights, and her work with Olympic and World Cup teams.

Books & Publications by Dr. Colleen Hacker — including Catch Them Being Good (with Tony DiCicco).

Achieving Excellence: Mastering Mindset for Peak Performance in Sport and Life — Dr. Hackers latest book on mindset and performance.

Wolfpack by Abby Wambach — Abby’s New York Times bestselling book on leadership and teamwork.

Abby Header goal from Megan Rapinoe 2011 World Cup Quarterfinal - One of the best goals EVER.

Thank you to our sponsors:

*Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

*Start your career coaching today at https://www.strawberry.me/welcometotheparty 

*https://www.joinmidi.com/

The Las Vegas Aces went from chaos to champs — and it all started with leadership, trust, and a text message from A’ja Wilson that set the tone for one of the most remarkable comebacks in WNBA history. ESPN analyst LaChina Robinson joins Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach to break down how the Aces turned a midseason collapse into a championship sweep, what makes Becky Hammon’s connection with her players so unique, and why the upcoming WNBA CBA negotiations could reshape the entire league.

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Go Deeper:

Aces Press Conference after sweeping in the finals 10/10/2025: https://youtu.be/iMS2ApUbRsA?si=b0EEAIqJxe6ekXMS

Natalie Grabow became the first ever female finisher in iconic IRONMAN World Championship:

https://www.tri247.com/triathlon-news/age-group/natalie-grabow-world-record-ironman-world-championship-kona

Napheesa Collier goes OFF on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert:https://youtu.be/KF4SMnP5-rU?si=nNT2GieEiVdhUWsN

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Everyone remembers the coach who changed everything. Abby and Julie swap stories about the ones who shaped their journeys — from youth soccer to the US Women’s National Team and the Olympic stage — with legends like Tony DiCicco, Emma Hayes, and Pia Sundhage. And Abby turns Welcome to the Party into a surprise party with one spontaneous call to her old high school coach.

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Gabby Thomas doesn’t just run fast — she does everything at full speed. Three Olympic golds in Paris, degrees from Harvard and Texas, groundbreaking public health research, Athlos League owner, and oh yeah… Vogue and SI Swimsuit covers. We slowed her down long enough to stop by the Party.

Join the Party:

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Go Deeper:

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