Megan Rapinoe Opens Up About Reinventing Herself

This week, Megan Rapinoe joins the party and this might be one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had on the show.

Pinoe opens up about the emotional reality of retirement, losing the structure and identity that came with elite competition, and what happens when one of the most recognizable athletes in the world suddenly has to figure out who she is outside of the game. She talks candidly about the grief of leaving soccer behind, navigating public life and parasocial relationships, struggling to find purpose in year two of retirement, and learning how to separate “Megan Rapinoe the person” from “Megan Rapinoe the icon.”

She also shares what’s exciting her now: photography, storytelling, investing in women’s sports, creative freedom, and building the future of the game through media and culture. Plus, Abby and Julie reflect on their own retirements, the pressure of elite sports, and why life after competition can be so much harder than anyone prepares you for.

Before the interview, the crew dives into WNBA opening weekend, Allyson Felix’s possible comeback, Rachel Entrekin making ultramarathon history, Abby receiving her fourth honorary degree at Duke, and more women’s sports headlines from around the party.

Plus, the reigning NCAA Champion UCLA Bruins beach volleyball join the show fresh off their national title win in Gulf Shores, Alabama to talk about bringing another championship back to UCLA, jumping in the ocean with the trophy, team culture, and what made this beach volleyball season so special.

00:00:00 Megan Rapinoe on Losing Her Identity After Soccer
00:03:13 Abby’s Duke Honorary Doctorate Weekend
00:10:28 Julie’s Dream Mother’s Day Weekend
00:13:29 Ultra Runner Rachel Entrekin Makes History
00:17:31 WNBA Opening Weekend Was CHAOS
00:24:23 UCLA Softball Star Megan Grant Breaks Records
00:34:16 UCLA Beach Volleyball National Champs Join the Party
00:44:54 Megan Rapinoe Opens Up About Retirement & Reinvention
00:53:52 “It Felt Like a Death” — Megan on Leaving Soccer

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Keep the Party Going:
Follow Ultramarathoner Rachel Entrekin: instagram.com/rachel__entrekin

Check Out the UCLA teammates Reunited in the WNBA: instagram.com/reels/DYGeDmvNLoo

Learn More About Allyson Felix’s Fight For Mothers: Allyson Felix Took On Corporate Sports—and Won | Welcome To The Party and olympics.com/en/news/advocacy-allyson-felix-fight-for-maternal-rights-sports

NCAA Women’s Softball Tournament Schedule: ncaa.com/news/softball/article/2026-05-10/ncaa-division-i-softball-committee-announces-2026-championship-field

Follow the UCLA’s Women’s Beach Volleyball Team: instagram.com/uclabeachvb

Dallas Pulse split Major League Volleyball’s 1 Million dollar prize: provolleyball.com/news/2026/05/dallas-pulse-take-home-mlv-match-for-a-million-title

A Touch More Podcast - starting June 11th, Megan Rapinoe will be telling the story of the 2026 World Cup: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-touch-more-with-sue-bird-megan-rapinoe/id1510142364

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