Ep.60/ Soccer Star Leslie Osborne On 9-Figure Fundraising, Not Losing Her Identity Post-Retirement and Deciding What to Say No or Yes To
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Leslie Osborne is a decorated, retired member of the U.S Women’s National Soccer Team and is now one of the most respected sports broadcasters covering women’s soccer today. She is a brand ambassador for UPPAbaby and is an entrepreneur and co-founder of HUSTLE Beauty, formerly Sweat Cosmetics, and a co-founder of Bay Football Club!
The soccer star and mom of 3 discusses how she fundraised for her business ventures - including a 9 figure investment! Plus so many of us work hard to figure out what opportunities get a YES and what get a NO. She tells us her take (and actually she was thinking through a big professional decision about a work commitment live during this interview!).
Leslie is featured in UPPAbaby’s brand thematic campaign of ‘My Hope’ about the hopes and dreams we have for our kids. Leslie admits she was obsessed with UPPAbaby for years and it has been with her as a part of her motherhood journey! I too have been a loyal user! I had the UPPAbaby Vista with the bassinet, toddler seat and the PiggyBack ride along board!
‘My Hope’ encapsulates the true meaning behind UPPAbaby’s “Parenthood, Understood” and all of the incredible things it can bring.
Check out UPPAbaby’s touching ‘My Hope’ video with Leslie:
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FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:
Speaker 1 (00:01):
This episode is sponsored by UPPAbaby. You're listening to an Speaker 1 (00:02):PPAbaby. alumni right here. I use the UPPAbaby Vista and seriously loved it. It grew with our family. We used the bassinet and then the toddler seat. And when my daughter became a big kid, she loved the Piggyback right along. Board UPPAbaby is grounded on being experts in parenting solutions and pushing the limits on innovation. UPPAbaby develops products that parents have come to know and trust and focus on implementing their core pillars of understanding Parenthood, child development and family wellness in the workplace community and beyond. They have a brand thematic campaign of my hope about the hopes and dreams we have for our kids is so touching and they partnered with Leslie Osborne, retired professional soccer player, business owner, and mom of three up a baby parenthood. Understood.
(00:53):
This is Mom's exit interview the show for moms who want to craft the career and life they want. Each episode, you'll meet inspirational moms across various industries and levels who are working and living life on their own terms, and they'll bring you actionable tips from finance to business development to happiness, to crushing that imposter syndrome. I'm Kim Rutberg. I was a burnt out media executive at Netflix, US Weekly and in TV news. I wanted a career where I was fulfilled at work but present at home with my kids. So I started working for myself and I love it, but not every day was easy or is easy. I wanted to explore with all of you how other moms were creating careers on their own terms. They're carving out flex jobs, starting their own businesses. They're taking back control. Join me and make work work for you instead of the other way around.
(01:58):
I am really excited for you all to hear from Leslie Osborne. She's incredible and we had an amazing time chatting. She's an athlete of the highest level, a real life soccer star, a mom of three and an entrepreneur several times over. Leslie Osborne is a decorated retired member of the US Women's National Soccer Team. She's now one of the most respected sports broadcasters covering women's soccer today as an entrepreneur and co-founder of Hustle Beauty, formerly Sweat Cosmetics. She looks to inspire other women to take a leap into the business world and follow their passion. And now she's also a co-founder of Bay Football Club. Leslie is also a brand ambassador for Up a Baby, which she was obsessed with for years and has been with her as a part of her motherhood journey. In this chat, we talk about how Leslie decided what comes next after retiring from professional soccer, how she didn't lose her identity at that point, which is hard how she fundraised for her business ventures, including a nine figure investment. Plus so many of us work hard to figure out what opportunities get a yes and we'll get a no. And she tells us her take, and actually she was thinking through a big professional decision live during this interview. Let's do it. Leslie, thank you so much for joining us. I'm so happy to have you here.
Speaker 2 (03:13):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
So tell me a little bit before we dive into all of the amazing things that you're doing, tell me a little bit about where you're from, where you grew up, how old are your kids now?
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Yeah, I'm from Wisconsin, born and raised. I came out here to California to play soccer at Santa Clara University to kind of live out my dream. I went on and played professionally for 10 years, fell in love with California. So after traveling the world and playing all around the globe, I decided to retire and come back and be back here in northern California in the Bay Area. My husband played professional soccer too, so when we decided where we were going to move back to after he was in London, the Bay Area just had so many things that we loved and so we moved back here. We have three little girls. My girls are six, five and three, so we've got a girl squad and yeah, my husband's from Texas and he played soccer too. So we we're transplants. We don't have any family out here, but we've made it work and we have a great network and community and extended family out here. So we love being in the Bay Area.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
So I love that you co-founded the Bay Football Club Bay FC alongside three other leading women's national team soccer players. What led you to found it?
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Yeah, I think all of us have played professionally for a long time. We've won gold medals, we've played for our US team for a long time. We've played in different leagues and different teams, and football has impacted our life in so many ways. And I think that US four had so many experiences and I think when you have so many, you want to go create your own because you learn so much from the environments you're in. And I think a lot of 'em were like, oh, we would do this or we wouldn't do this. And really it was when Angel City, the women's professional team in LA launched their team three years ago that I called my partners and I said, Hey, we got to do this up here in the bay. And it's been a three year journey and it's been a wild journey, but whenever you go and create something, you're going to have a crazy up and ups and downs and been, when I look at it, it's been one heck of a ride.
(05:24):
And it's so cool when you're part of something from the start when you have an idea and then it comes to life. And so now Bay f c, we've got our logo, we have our brand, we're going to kick off in about nine months. It feels really real. And I think it was up until this past month where we felt like, wow, we did it. We did it. And now really the hard work begins. We have nine months to kick off, but just so much gratitude to my partners, to our investors, to the commitment and passion and work behind the scenes. So many people have done so much for us to get to this point. And we're just getting started.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
And talk to me, I've had other female founders on the podcast and I always love to hear about the inside behind the scenes of fundraising. What was the fundraising
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Very different than my other company? Hustle Beauty. I think with B F C, US four being in women's soccer entire lives, we had always struggled with the resources and capital behind women's soccer For a long time. We've always had to find these investors and people to really put their money where their mouth is. And for us, we had such a different experience. I think it's so critical to find investors who are aligned with your mission and values. And for us, fundraising was super smooth. Being here in the Bay Area, being in the ecosystem that we are, we have a lot of tech and sports executives and people who hurt our mission, saw what we're trying to do and how we want to go and do it differently. And because of that, fundraising was actually one of the easiest components to building this team. When we met our main investors, sixth Street Capital, who are injecting 125 million into our team, they immediately saw an opportunity.
(07:10):
This is not a passion project for them. This is not a charity. This is a real business opportunity. And they felt that if the same amount of capital and resources were injected into the women's game, the growth is massive. We're at an inflection point in women's sports and they saw an opportunity here. And so fundraising for us has actually been a fun process and one that I actually really enjoyed because it's so amazing when you find people who get it and want to back it and also are active investors, which has been a really, really refreshing fundraising phase for us.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
And I know you're also a co-founder of Hustle Beauty, which was Sweat Cosmetics. Yeah, it's been in huge retailers like Sephora. And how did you decide to do that? What's the point at which you're like, I see a need in the market, I'm going to fill it. This is what I'm going to do. Yeah, because we all feel that pull of, there's a lot of things we could do. Why that? How did you decide that that's the thing you wanted to do?
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Yeah, it's a great question. We were living it. We were professional athletes playing professional soccer. And anyone out there who has played soccer knows a 90 minute game you are sweating and you want to have sunscreen on. But whenever you have sunscreen on, it's like burning your eyes, it's running into your eyes, it's making your skin red. And also as professional athletes being in interviews at halftime and postgame, we always wanted to look good. And it was that constant battle of choosing between makeup or sunscreen. And we couldn't understand why there were not products out there in the market geared for female athletes. And so we actually came up with the idea while we were playing on the field. And it took three years for us to come to life in 2015 and come out with our products. But when you live it and breathe it, and you are part of the target market and you realize that actually nothing out there is geared towards people like you, that was our motivation.
(09:05):
We found our chemist over Twitter. We fundraised with friends and family. We did all of our testing on our teammates. I mean, it was actually kind of the best opportunity for us to be playing professionally, to use our network, to use the people around us to support us. And then when we did launch at the Women's World Cup, we used the opportunity for the US Women's National team players to help us get our brand out there. And I think what's really differentiated us from other companies is that we are female founders. We are credibility behind our brand. We were those athletes, we're now moms, but we still live an active lifestyle. And as we're going through this rebrand and hustle beauty, we want products out there that are clean, that are good for your skin and that are fast and easy. You are a mom, you understand you don't have a lot of time to put your face together. And so all of our products are designed for women on the go who live an active lifestyle. And I think that's really why our brand has gotten to where it's at because we're, we're credible. We've lived it, we've done it, and we've created it.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
And active meaning doesn't move from sweat. And you don't have to fini, it's not finicky and it's like it doesn't, it's easy. It's easy and it blendable and all that.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Yeah, it's easy. You don't need a mirror. It's s pf 30, you can put it on. It's breathable. So when you do sweat, it's not going to clog your pores. When you wear makeup, when you work out, you can see all the beads and that's nasty. You can see the orange stuff. So it's breathable and it's good for your skin and there are things in there to help that. And with hustle, we have wipes right now, skin cleansing, toilet wipes that are meant for, you can travel with them, you can have them to take off all the grease and sweat on your face. And we're planning to launch other products, but for now, our products are really geared for a woman on the go. And honestly, nowadays I feel like all women are just hustling and on the go. Yeah,
Speaker 1 (10:54):
I think so. Super interesting. I heard you say in an interview about why you rebranded the name. Yeah. That not every woman wants to see themselves or sees themselves as an athlete, but every woman, every woman has a hustle, whatever that is. Yeah. You're going somewhere. You're coming from somewhere. You're going to somewhere. Why do you think that is? Or how did you come to that realization of sweat wasn't the word that women wanted to associate with or
Speaker 2 (11:19):
We found that a lot of athletes, female athletes love sweat, but a lot of women never, they don't consider themselves athletes. If you talk to a lot of men, they'll like, oh yeah, I'm an athlete. And I'm like, oh, what do you do? They're, I play pick up basketball in the gym on Saturdays. And you're like, oh, okay. But for a female, it was so hard for a woman to say they're an athlete. I've met all these incredible women that are running marathons, triathlons, and they still wouldn't say they're an athlete. And I think that was just kind of a eye-opener for us. Wait, we've geared our brand towards people who sweat women only. Some women want to embrace to sweat. I love to sweat. It's a a proof of accomplishment for me, but not every woman loves to sweat. And then also for us to realize that a lot of women actually don't consider themselves athletes.
(12:11):
That's why we narrowed. We changed our brand. We transitioned a little bit into hustle because we believe so many women hustle on a daily basis, whether you're actually going out to run 10 miles or you are a mom and you're working and you're trying to go from drop off to a workout to working to happy hour, it is so much. And so we felt like women would identify more with our hustle brand than sweat. So we will see we're new in our rebrand. And so already I think that people can already see themselves and our colory like with this beautiful pery blue and it's clean brand and it's more soft. But we will see
Speaker 1 (12:54):
That day you just described where you're dropping off, then you're exercising, you're going to work and you're going to a happy hour. I want that day. That sounds fun. That sounds like a good day. Like a margarita or a wine maybe. Probably wine. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. Like a nice glass Rose. Thank you. Yeah, thank you for offering Leslie. And talk to me about lessons you learned from building the beauty brand.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
I think lessons, looking back, I wouldn't have started this brand without my co-founders and teammates. I think that there's no way that I would've done this on my own. And I look at our path and journey and I think we wouldn't be where we're at without each other. But on the flip side, I also think having four or five people involved in a brand can also be difficult because there are so many cooks in the kitchen and with us four, we all have strong dominant personalities. We all achieved success at the highest level and we are super competitive. And I think sometimes that we've had to navigate and figure out how to be role players, have the leader and have assisting type roles when there are four of you. But I think the biggest thing I've learned is it's a journey and being a professional athlete and being told what to do on a daily basis, we had a schedule every day from wake up to sundown.
(14:12):
When you're training, when you're eating, when you're taking a urine test, when you're getting this done, a massage, when you become an entrepreneur, nobody is giving you that schedule. And I think that transition from us being professional athletes to starting your own company, that was a big transition for us because you are your own boss. You are creating your own schedule and you don't actually know what you're doing, so you're actually figuring it out as you go. None of us have our MBAs, we've all learned as we go. And I think that that's been part of the fun part, but it's also been, it was difficult. And that's part of that transitional phase from being an athlete to being an entrepreneur or going and doing whatever. You are going to go out and do that. There is that next phase and it's hard when there's no playbook.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Yeah, that's really interesting about a lot of people I've spoken to, it's like you're really good at what you know or you have a really great idea and then the other stuff you kind of just figured out, you're like, here I am.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
And that's why building a team around you is so important that make up for your weaknesses. The biggest thing I've learned is it's okay if you don't know, but you need to make sure that you're hiring or surrounding yourself with people that do know. And that's how you're going to achieve success probably more efficiently and quicker.
Speaker 1 (15:26):
This episode is sponsored by UPPAbaby a company I fangirl over. I use their UPPAbaby Vista and so many accessories. The toddler seat goes forward backwards, and when my daughter got bigger, she stood on the Piggyback R along board and I could see her smiling. So cute. So fun. Their products are intuitively designed and expertly crafted with features. Parents rely on drawing on three decades of experience. Up a baby was founded in 2006 to create products that make life with kids more manageable, more fashionable, and even more fun up a baby parenthood. Understood. So we talk so much about saying yes and saying no to things as women and as moms. How do you determine what gets a yes and what gets a no?
Speaker 2 (16:14):
I still feel like I'm trying to figure that out actually. I think now having three young girls and having just jam packed everything, I just have to be more mindful of what's best for my family. I feel like I'm still not a hundred percent at everything, at anything I'm doing right now. And sometimes it's hard as a mom to feel like you're not great at anything Right now I feel like I'm good at a lot of things, but I'm not awesome at anything. And I still feel like that. I'm still trying to figure that out. I think that I get pulled in a lot of different directions and I have to always hone in on just making sure that my family comes first. And so sometimes that means some opportunities are just, I'm not going to be able to have them. I've now been offered to go to Australia for 33 days to cover the Women's World Cup, and I would leave in two and a half weeks and I'd be gone for 33 days for my family. And I'm struggling with that decision, and I know when this airs, it's going to be after the fact. But it's a perfect example of the pros and cons of every situation and really having to weigh in on that. And I'm still trying to figure it out. And I think as a working mom, that's one of the hardest jobs.
Speaker 1 (17:31):
So did that get a yes or a no?
Speaker 2 (17:33):
I have till noon today, which is in 25 minutes to call my agent. So by the time this airs, we'll Australia covering the World Cup for Fox, or if I am at home with my girls watching and just being a fan, which also sounds great too
Speaker 1 (17:49):
With you, can one of them come with, can one of the girls come with you?
Speaker 2 (17:52):
I can't take one without three. And then my husband's like, okay, so you want me to travel 16 hours with them and while you're working me take care of 'em over in Australia? I was like, yeah, yeah, pretty much. Yeah, that
Speaker 1 (18:03):
Sounds really fun.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
Maybe if you didn't work it, it would totally work out. So see, but it's a perfect example of these are just really tough decisions and at the end of the day we just, we're doing the best that we can. So if you have any advice in that, I would love to hear it.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Well, my advice would be I lived in Sydney, Australia, and Australia is pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (18:27):
That's where I'll be for 33 days. Sydney.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
Yeah, I mean I think you're right about one of the things that I feel like my eight year old daughter will say to me, we'll go be going somewhere. And she'll say, oh, well then I'll miss such and such. Maybe we're missing someone's birthday party because we're going there. And I said, every decision, everything you suggest to, you're saying no to something else. And that's never going to change. And I think it's like,
Speaker 2 (18:49):
You're right.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
Best advice I ever got that I really do process with, but I think it was like Emily Oster, the parenting data expert, is whatever decision you do make, don't look back and regret it. Just say, this is the decision I'm making with the information I have and that's what I'm going with. Instead of that, there becomes friction in your own mind and also with your partner when you later are, was that right? Was that wrong? It's like, yeah, who knows?
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Well thank you. I'm looking forward to making that decision and running with it and feeling the best I possibly can and moving forward and whatever decision I make because like you said, there's no point to think about going back and we should have done this. There's just no point to it.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
And then email and then email me and just say, I decided to do this and why, and I'll insert into the show.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
That sounds good. That sounds
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Good. I also, I think people, it's very valuable for other parents to hear that real-time decision making because literally every person struggles with something, whether it's on a weekly basis or a quarterly basis. I got offered a really big speaking engagement in the fall, and it was the beginning of me getting paid to speak. So I was like, oh, what a cool opportunity. Of course the date is in the middle of my kids' spring break and I'm like, am I really going to Vegas in the middle of my kids' spring break? But I was like, yes, yes I am. Because you're
Speaker 2 (20:02):
Vegas.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
I didn't going to Vegas, I was probably the only person not drinking and gambling in Vegas. But yeah, well not drinking but not gambling. But I think it's like it was such an amazing opportunity. I knew I couldn't say no to it and I was like, yeah, it doesn't align with my larger, I'm trying to get more time and value the time with the kids. But it does align with, hey, one, speaking engagement can handle a lot of other parts of the year's income and client leads. And so I think it's that balance of saying, oh, it's not ideal. It's really not ideal. But you do have to take opportunities. And sometimes you say to the best to them and sometimes you say no to
Speaker 2 (20:40):
'em. Exactly. I love it. Thank you. Yeah, you're
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Going to tell
Speaker 2 (20:43):
Me I, I think you helped me move closer to my decision, which is in minutes. So thank you. I appreciate that.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Alright. This is very exciting. Sort of like mom's exit interview mutual therapy. Yeah,
Speaker 2 (20:54):
Seriously, seriously, I answered the resume
Speaker 1 (20:58):
And as a post script, Leslie did end up going to Australia for that job. So you listeners got to hear the decision making process in action. And now talk to me about up baby. I would love to hear about your work with UPPAbaby and how you decided to work with them.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Yeah, it's so funny. When I had my first two, well first my first stroller was up a baby and then I got pregnant. My two are 16 months apart, my first two. And so I got the double seat UPPAbaby and I took the UPPAbaby everywhere with me. I traveled with it. People were like, why don't you get umbrella strolling? Because obsessed with the UPPAbaby. I used to run with my UPPAbaby back when it was not a running stroller UPPAbaby was with me my first five years of being a mother. And so when I had this opportunity come across my plate, I was like UPPAbaby. I love UPPAbaby UPPAbaby has been with me my whole motherhood. I would be honored to be with UPPAbaby. And it's been so fun when I started the conversations with them to show them all the pictures and videos of me as a new mom in onto my third and the UPPAbaby and how much it went through. I kept that stroller my for the first six years of being a mother. And it went through a lot, but that thing was amazing. And so anyways, I'm just a aligned with them and how they do everything and all the little details and all of their products. And I just love the people too. So I am super excited about the partnership. I believe in it. I, I've lived the brand. And so it just made total sense to work with them and to partner with them. And I'm just big supporters of them.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Yeah, I too, I had the double also and I would just be fold it up, in the trunk. And then when we had the piggyback RideAlong board. Oh yeah, my son and my daughter too, actually my daughter, she was like, I'm not getting off this. No way. She loved it. That ride along is so amazing. You shouldn't really be in the stroller anymore, but eat my kids in the seat. Yeah, we need to get there fast, quicker.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Oh
Speaker 1 (23:04):
Yeah, yeah, my kids, I loved it. My kids loved it. Yeah, it's awesome. So totally agree. And then talk to me about the message of parenthood. Understood, which I just love as a concept as
Speaker 2 (23:15):
We know it's so simple yet, so you just get it right. And when we were doing the commercial and I can't wait for everyone to see it, it was just a perfect example of our lives and how chaotic and crazy it is, but how simplified it can be when you have the right tools to help support your life. And when we were shooting the daily aspects of my life and stuff and how UPPAbaby plays into everything I do, it was so cool to see at how it flowed. And I just love the way that they portray their moms and the way they go about motherhood. It's just so relatable and I feel like a lot of different moms would say that UPPAbaby is relatable to what they're going through. And so when I did my voiceover for it, I was actually teary eyed just reading it and then at the end just saying Parenthood understood. Because it's just when you're part of it and you're in it, you just understand and how for me UPPAbaby just made that motherhood journey so much more enjoyable and pleasurable. And when I passed on my UPPAbaby to a friend, it meant so much to me because of all the memories that I had. And being able to gift that to someone that I felt like was going to create so many memories for them in such a positive way, it made me so happy.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Oh, totally. And I love also you so many other parents, you're an athlete, you're an entrepreneur, you're a mom, and you're not like any lesser anymore. You're all these things at once and that's okay. Yeah, exactly. And not good. Not okay. Awesome.
Speaker 2 (24:52):
It's fine. It's chaotic and crazy and fun.
Speaker 1 (24:55):
I love that. And talk to me a little bit about the pivots. So when you decided to retire from soccer, how was that conversation in your head with your partner? How did that conversation go?
Speaker 2 (25:10):
Yeah. Well, I retired when I was not, well, let me back up. I had to figure out what else I was passionate about in 2008 when I made the Olympic team. And two days later I tore my a c l and I tore all the ink ligaments in my ankle. So I had a surgery that repaired my knee and my ankle and it took me 18 months to play again. And most of the doctors had told me that I was never going to play professional soccer again. So during that 18 month window, although it was a very dark time and difficult time, it forced me to figure out what else I was passionate about, what would wake me up. The way that soccer has woke me up every day for my entire life. And it allowed me an opportunity to get into sports broadcasting. It allowed me to work with other companies and nonprofits, and I thought about going to business school.
(25:57):
I got an opportunity to figure out what else I was passionate about and what I wanted to do. So when I got back out on that field 18 months later, I ended up playing another five years. So grateful for that because I had an opportunity then to dabble into the things that I found that I really enjoyed to do and play soccer. So when I transitioned and I thought about retirement, I actually had opportunities waiting for me versus me retiring and being like, what do I want to do? Who am I? I didn't lose my identity. I actually was looking forward to my next steps in my second career. So when I retired, I went right into sports broadcasting for Fox Sports. I was creating my company, sweat Cosmetics, and I became an athletic director here and associate athletic director at Santa Clara University. And I oversee nine sports and I absolutely loved it.
(26:50):
And so for me, retirement was more like I'm super proud of what I did. I am, I'm okay with walking away because I know that I had a great career and I did everything I possibly could, but I was actually super excited for what's to come next, coming next. And that's why I'm so passionate about working with athletes during their time as collegiate athletes, as professional athletes to find out what their skill set is, what they're passionate about, what they want to do, because that identity crisis when athletes stop competing, it is real. And a lot of athletes feel like they can only go down the coaching avenue because that seems like the only opportunity. But a lot of athletes don't actually enjoy coaching. And so helping them figure out what they want to do while they're playing is so important and so passionate to me.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
What are the sorts of questions you encourage them to ask? Because I think that what you're saying is so relatable, whether it's an athlete or a person pivoting in their life or just like there's always that crossroads for people. So when you say, okay, a lot of athletes go into coaching, but not everybody wants to coach, what are the questions you recommend? They ask themselves to figure out what, what's next? What else is out there?
Speaker 2 (27:57):
One of 'em, I ask a lot of professional athletes, I'm like, if money wasn't a thing, what would you be doing? What would take money away? What would you go do? And it's so interesting how much you learn from within yourself too when you get asked that question because you're like, okay, that's your passion. That is ultimately what you want to do. And so I encourage 'em to go down that path, but at the same time, always having backup plans. I think as athletes, you're so set on your goal and it's like a one-way path. But when you retire, if you put all your eggs in one basket or you go down a road that you think that you want to go down, what if you don't enjoy doing it? What if you go to law school and year two you're like, I don't actually want to do this.
(28:44):
Find out multiple passions, find out multiple things that you are interested in and then come up with a plan. And I think athletes, we have a hard time realizing how important our skillset is to us. I remember a lot of athletes at Santa Clara, they give me their resume and being a national champion or being on the women's basketball team was way down on the bottom. And I'm like, wait, hold on. You are a division one college athlete. You just won a national championship, or you are the starting point guard on your team. Do you understand the skillset that you have and how many companies want to have someone like you working for them? And so really trying to figure out, oh, okay. And then finding out, okay, what do you like to do? Do you like to public speak? Do you like to network?
(29:27):
Do you want to go into marketing? And really trying to literally peel away the layers and figure out what do they want to do and what excites 'em at the end of the day. Can you go down a road that you are passionate about and that you are excited about that? And it's a process. And some people know and some people don't. And most of the time most athletes don't know because they've been doing one thing and it's been so no narrow minded in a way of just being an athlete. So it's a fun exercise and it's so cool now to see some of my athletes or my former teammates doing things and I'm like, oh my God, you always talked about wanting to do that. Or they're doing something completely different.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
I love that. I think whether someone's an athlete or in a different crossroads or just thinking about pivoting or a parent and they're shifting in and out of the workforce, it is important to find those other things that light you up because, I dunno why this just popped in my head, but the idea of there being a soulmate, there's not only one job for you, there's not only one path in the world. When you were five and when you were 10, certainly there were other things that you were excited about doing definitely in the world or just to your point, skills that you have that I think it sometimes takes an outside person to be like, that's actually a skill. That thing that you're good at, that's actually a marketable skill that people will pay you for unrelated to the field or a sport. It's a human person skill. And you're like, oh, okay. It sometimes just takes an outside person to really point that out. Definitely. I think that that's a really cool perspective. So that's such a fun part of the thing that you're getting to do.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
Yeah. Yeah. I just love it and I hope I can help B, F, C and our players while they're playing help figure that out. I think that if it's not being on our team, it's like where you're going to go from there. That's what we're going to be most proud of.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
And talk to me about how did being a parent change your perspective overall?
Speaker 2 (31:24):
I mean everything. I have three little girls looking at me every day. I feel like everything I do now, I just, it's, it comes from a different lens. I just want to be the best role model and mentor I possibly can for them. I think that all of the things that I thought as an athlete were a big deal. It just, you're like, what was I doing? But it's all perspective and it's hard to share that with someone until you go through it. And then when you become a mother, it just changes. And so I wish I could have been a mom while I played professional sports. I actually think I would've been better because I had a bigger purpose. And I think sometimes anxiety and stress of playing for the number one team in the world, it got to me a lot. And now when I go do these things that I'm nervous about, at the end of the day, I just want to go make 'em proud. But at the end of the day, I have healthy children and I'm a mother and that is the most important thing. And it actually gives me confidence and in anything that I do. And so not only my perspective, but I feel like I can actually accomplish more because I am a mother. That is, it is. There's so many things that have instilled me from being a mom that I just, again, I'm just so fortunate that I have, and I wish that I could have had that perspective when I was playing professional sports.
Speaker 1 (32:41):
Yeah, totally. Having kids completely puts things into perspective. Are you ready, Leslie? Are you ready for rapid fire?
Speaker 2 (32:47):
Oh boy. Yeah, let's go.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
All right. Best piece of advice you've ever gotten.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
Find something you love and work hard at it. I mean, my parents instilled that into me in a young age, and I just tell my girls that all the time, find something you love and then go work hard at it.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
One thing about being a working parent that you wish you had known earlier, I
Speaker 2 (33:19):
Come back to it,
Speaker 1 (33:22):
Funny or embarrassing, either one funny or embarrassing parenting moment.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Oh, my oldest at the time was a year and a half when I had my baby and my other middle child, and I was at a coffee shop, and I remember she was annoying when I was trying to get her in the car. So I let her play with my keys and I had my middle one in the ergo on me, and she locked the car. And so by the time I was walking around the car to put my middle child in the car seat, I realized the car was locked and it was like 90 degrees here. And I was like, oh my God. So I'm trying to tell my 16 month old child press on trying to, and she was just smiling and laughing and she almost had it, but she couldn't figure it out. And I had to go into the coffee shop.
(34:08):
Luckily there were these nice firemen that they could see the panic on me. I was like, I've just locked my child in the car. And they got her out and it was only four minutes, but it felt literally 45 minutes. And I just remember being so embarrassed and so grateful that they were there and they're like, do you know how many times a day this happens where mothers lock their children in the car? And I was like, really? They're all the time. And I was like, oh my God. I don't know if that makes me feel better, but that's also so crazy. It's great
Speaker 1 (34:41):
And terrible, right? It's like, oh, that's great. I mean, actually terrible.
Speaker 2 (34:44):
I know, I know. So yeah, that was a pretty embarrassing, it could have been way worse, but just, I'll never let my child play with my keys ever again after that ever
Speaker 1 (34:53):
Weirdest job you've ever had.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Weirdest job. I think just in high school, my parents always made me have a job, so I worked at an eyeglass store. I was like 16 years old being an assistant there. I had no idea what I was doing. But here I worked at a soccer shop, which was my dream actually. I remember getting umbro and getting a discount and stuff. So I just had little jobs like that where they weren't weird, but they were random. But my parents had always instilled in me no matter what I had going on that I always had to work. And I'm so grateful for that. Looking back, I was so mad at them and I felt like it was so unfair, but I'm so grateful for it. I think that's the foundation of hard work really started when I was that age.
Speaker 1 (35:40):
So true. My parents made me take two different jobs in college and I was like, I don't want to. And looking back, I'm so glad I have the most hustle of anyone and I, I'm really appreciative.
Speaker 2 (35:50):
I love it. I need to get true hustle beauty, by the way, just Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:54):
I'm like, I'm literally hustling a bottle. Not I'm not in a bottle, but yeah. Love
Speaker 2 (35:59):
It.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
I snooped a little bit to find out if we were similarly aged. So I'm going to ask your first online email or messenger name if you had any embarrassing online name.
Speaker 2 (36:12):
What's more embarrassing is I actually still have the A o L and it's L Ozzy 10. I can't get rid of it. L Zy 10 was my first soccer number and it was my a i m. It's my a o l. And I still have it. And whenever I send out an email for my A O l, I get so much shit. But whenever someone else has an A o l, it just bonds us for life. They're like, oh my God, you still a o l? I'm like, yes. And it's like amazing.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
Oh wait, now I probably have to bleep out your email. Now everyone will be like, I got your email. Just kidding.
Speaker 2 (36:43):
Yeah, right. Oh, great.
Speaker 1 (36:47):
And my last question, A surprising skill you have
Speaker 2 (36:52):
Surprising skill. I was actually really good at tennis and better at tennis than I was at soccer. My parents made me pick out of a hat with sport I was going to focus on, and I picked soccer, but I was actually better at tennis. Well,
Speaker 1 (37:08):
That's interesting.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
Yeah. So I'm trying to get back into it once the girls are a little older where I have a little bit more free time. I need to bring it back, show my girls what's up.
Speaker 1 (37:18):
Yeah, absolutely. Well, Leslie, I'm not going to monopolize any more of your time, but this was so fun. I really appreciate you taking the time
Speaker 2 (37:25):
And thank you for having me. It was awesome.
Speaker 1 (37:28):
Thank you to Leslie for her time. You can connect with her on Instagram at Leslie Osborne 12 or Follow Hustle, beauty. And we are Bay fc. And of course Leslie is an ambassador for UPPAbaby, which you can find@upbaby.com with all of its fabulous products.
(37:52):
Thank you so much for listening. We want to hear from you. Tell us what topics you want us to cover and what questions you have for upcoming shows and experts. We will read everyone and we will use them. You can find us everywhere. Go to moms exit interview.com, scroll down to find the contact button, or you can DM me on Instagram at kim rittenberg. Or you can leave your feedback right inside your review in the podcast app. Please follow the show in Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen and leave a review in a five star rating. And don't forget to share it with people who will find it valuable. It's truly meant to be a resource. And this is Mom's Exit interview. I'm your host and executive producer, Kim Rittenberg. The show is produced by Henry Street Media. John Horowitz is our editor, and Aliza Friedlander is our producer and publicist.
(38:45):
Thank you to Up Baby for sponsoring this episode. I'm an alumni and a big fan of the brand. I use the UPPAbaby Vista and adored it. It grew with our family. We used the bassinet and then the toddler seat, forward, backwards, reclined, everything. And when my daughter became a big hitch, she loved the piggyback ride along board. I really had to rip that away from them as they grew up. It is so fun UPPAbaby is grounded on being experts in parenting solutions and pushing the limits on innovation. UPPAbaby develops the products that parents have come to know and trust and focus on implementing their core pillars of understanding Parenthood, childhood development and family wellness in the workplace community and beyond. Their new thematic campaign of My Hope centers around the hopes and dreams we have for our kids, and we were honored to have their brand partner, Leslie Osborne. Join us today, UPPAbaby: Parenthood. Understood.