Sports Stars Making a Social Impact: Why And How Former Soccer Pro Mia Hamm Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Edward Sylvan
… My movement would be what I’m doing now — creating opportunities for youth to participate in sports — and even more importantly, encouraging them to keep going with it. It’s been a delight to team up with GoGo squeeZ to be fully committed to nurturing kids and the next generation of athletes, whether through sports or even family quality time.
As a part of our series about sports stars who are making a social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mia Hamm.
Soccer Icon Mia Hamm is a former U.S. Women’s National Team soccer player, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. For over 20 years Mia Hamm has overseen the Mia Hamm Foundation, a non-profit national organization with two focuses: 1) raising funds and awareness for families in need of a marrow or cord blood transplant, and 2) the development of more opportunities for young women in sports. A proud mom of two, this year, Mia teams up with GoGo squeeZ, the official fruit snack of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer teams, to lend her voice to encourage young women’s participation in sports.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the “backstory” that led you to your career path in professional sports?
I had no aspirations of playing professional soccer growing up because there weren’t any women’s professional leagues. It was only after college that I had the choice to keep competing on the USWNT because of a couple of endorsements. After that, my focus shifted to being on the team and trying to play as long as I could. I also wanted to create more opportunities for the younger players coming up through the system because I saw the positive life lessons that the sport could bring to their lives.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career? What were the lessons or takeaways that you took out of that story?
There were a lot of funny moments and it’s one of the reasons why I loved our team so much. We competed but we had a lot of fun. During one practice, we were all given special t-shirts to wear for a post-practice picture. We were all wearing the shirt except one player, Julie Foudy. She was looking around and wondering why we were all in white t’s and then she saw the photo on the front. It was her younger self with the caption “Got tweezers?”. Lesson: if you can’t laugh at yourself well…
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
I’m lucky enough to meet and work with many young people who are passionate about sports. I always tell them that it’s important to remember to take time to soak in the moment and have fun. As professional athletes, of course, we love competition and are dedicated to our craft — but it’s moments of fun and camaraderie that have been the highlight of my career, led to life-long friendships and been success stories that I share with my children.
Is there a person that made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
Tony DiCicco, our coach of the USWNT from 1995–1999. He taught me that I didn’t have to be perfect as a player. That my skills should always be developed but he was going to support each of us by lacing players around us to compliment us. It was incredibly empowering.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about what it is like being a professional sports player?
That it is easy. The commitment is constant. Every decision you make that day affects your performance that day and the days to follow.
Ok super. Let’s now move to the main part of our discussion. How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you are working on right now?
For the past 20 years, I’ve overseen the Mia Hamm Foundation which has two focuses: 1) raising funds and awareness for families in need of a marrow or cord blood transplant, and 2) the development of more opportunities for young women in sports.
Teaming up with GoGo squeeZ, is something that is special to me as it wasn’t long ago my kids were snacking on their helpful pouches! My kids are now 15 and 10 but I remember when they were younger looking for snacks and foods that would fill them with the nutrition they need. My youngest actually snacks on their GoGo squeeZ BIG pouches which are made from 100% fruits and vegetables with no sugar added.
What I like about GoGo squeeZ is they have invested in programming and a portfolio of products that provides kids the nourishment they need to give playtime their all. This includes empowering younger kids to stay in the game which is so important to me and my foundation. Together with GoGo squeeZ, we’re on a mission to help parents encourage their kids to ‘squeeZ out their best’ (for everything from soccer to science and all passions in between!).
What methods are you using to most effectively share your cause with the world?
In celebration of GoGo squeeZ’ partnership with U.S. Soccer, we’ve teamed up on a content series on GoGo squeeZ’s social channels to encourage kids and families to cheer each other on while working towards future strides in soccer. GoGo squeeZ has found that just encouragement from siblings or friends when you’re working towards your goals can have such a positive impact on kids.
I am also dedicated to the development of more opportunities for young women to participate in sports through the Mia Hamm Foundation. My Foundation is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for families in need of a marrow or cord blood transplant and to the development of more opportunities for young women in sports.
Can you share with us the story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
Encouraging young women to play and stay in sports has always been extremely important to me. According to the GoGo squeeZ’s research, 73% of kids quit playing organized sports by age 13 because “it’s not fun anymore” — and that’s a real shame. I want kids of all ages to experience sports like I did growing up, not be intimidated or scared off because they’re not enjoying their athletic experiences.
I also think it is so important to recognize your kids for their accomplishments — no matter how small. Whether they kick a goal at their match or simply eat their veggies without putting up a fight, positive reinforcement is so important to let your kids know that even the little moments are worth celebrating and foster positive self-esteem. A little bit of positive reinforcement can do a lot to keep kids in the game!
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
The MHF is incredibly proud of the work that we do and the lives we are able to improve whether that be through our donor drives or the numerous grants that we give out each year as we continue to support programs for girls all across the country. We have been very fortunate to have found donor matches for a patient in need of a marrow transplant from several of our donor drives.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
When I first started playing soccer, I couldn’t even dream of playing for a professional women’s league since there was no opportunity that existed. But over time as opportunities grew for female athletes and through my hard work and perseverance, I got to where I am today. When I first started playing soccer, I wish someone had told me (or really just reminded me as these are things I have always believed in) to:
- Stay Positive: the attitude you bring to each day will reward you in how you experience your life. You can’t just feel good and positive only when you’re winning.
- Never Give Up: you can’t keep someone down who never stops trying — you’ll eventually meet your goal.
- Eat Right: it’s true you are what you eat! That’s why I love nourishing myself & my kids with fruits & vegetables.
- Understand that mental preparation is just as important as the physical. When I was a player on the USWNT we would spend a lot of time focusing on our mental skills. We would work with our mental skills coach in trying to find the technique that helped us prepare best and put us in the right mindset going into a competition.
- Stretch!!: when your body is warm, you’re causing an increase in blood flow & flexibility for your weight training or that super important game. It also helps you stay away from strains if you pull a muscle.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
My movement would be what I’m doing now — creating opportunities for youth to participate in sports — and even more importantly, encouraging them to keep going with it. It’s been a delight to team up with GoGo squeeZ to be fully committed to nurturing kids and the next generation of athletes, whether through sports or even family quality time.
When you’re spending quality time together — even through a quick pause for something as simple as a snack break — you’re establishing trust and building kids’ self-confidence — while sneaking in a little nutrition and making memories. My kids are in their teens and tweens now, so they love to snack on GoGo squeeZ BIG pouches that come in flavors like BIG Strawberry and BIG Pear. We love enjoying a snack time moment with no screens in sight.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
Give the best you have for that day.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Politics, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Sandra Bullock
How can our readers follow you online?
Readers can follow me on Instagram at @miahamm or keep up with my work at http://www.miafoundation.org/. They can also learn more about GoGo squeeZ’s commitment to youth sports at GoGosqueeZ.com/FunComesFirst
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring
Sports Stars Making a Social Impact: Why And How Former Soccer Pro Mia Hamm Is Helping To Change… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.