Forward

Book 8 of my 2020 Reading Challenge

read from January 24 - 27

Forward

by Abby Wambach

Summary (via Goodreads)

published 2016

Abby Wambach has always pushed the limits of what is possible. At age seven she was put on the boys’ soccer team. At age thirty-five she would become the highest goal scorer — male or female — in the history of soccer, capturing the nation’s heart with her team’s 2015 World Cup Championship. Called an inspiration and “badass” by President Obama and "the soul of the United States team" by the New York Times, Abby has become a fierce advocate for women’s rights and equal opportunity, pushing to translate the success of her team to the real world.

As she reveals in this searching memoir, Abby’s professional success often masked her inner struggle to reconcile the various parts of herself: ferocious competitor, daughter, leader, wife. With stunning candor, Abby shares her inspiring and often brutal journey from girl in Rochester, New York, to world-class athlete. Far more than a sports memoir, Forward is a gripping tale of resilience and redemption — and a reminder that heroism is, above all, about embracing life’s challenges with fearlessness and heart.

My Opinion

4 stars

There are pictures included which is something I always note when reading memoirs as a personal plus.

She really puts it all out there regarding her strengths, weaknesses, and insecurities.  I read it very quickly because she writes in an accessible, digestible way even when discussing tough topics.  You don't have to be a soccer fan to get something out of this book because her dedication to her job as well as the overall betterment of girls/women applies to multiple situations.

It was nice reading this a few years after it came out knowing that she finds love, happiness, and success post-soccer since she wrote about the uncertainty and worries she felt about life after retirement.

Quote from the Book

"People don't talk about the hard transitions enough, the hard bits of life. Strength is a full gamut. You've got to be strong from top to bottom, but you also have to raise your hand and say, "I'm feeling weak right now. I need some help." There is true strength is being able to ask for help."