It’s Time to Forget About Abby Wambach

A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, a World Cup winner, the highest all-time goal scorer for the National team and holds the world record for most international goals scored for both male and female. But it's time we forget about Abby Wambach. Wait.  Before you think I've lost my mind.  Watch this.

Get it now? What a fantastic commercial created by Gatorade! Reading about Abby, who is retiring at the old age of 35 has been fascinating. From the people who said about every four years that Abby wasn't ready for international play to seeing how she would work tirelessly to get in shape to be ready for world play showed what the heart of a champion is all about.  But this commercial really impacted me as a woman.

I don't know about you but I am competitive to a fault.  As early as last night I saw a Facebook post from a girl in radio who I have helped out over the years.  She is succeeding beyond any expectation I could have had for her, she's turning into such a bright spot in the business and I could not be more proud of her and, until I saw this commercial, was in all honesty getting a little jealous of.  I think that's what happens as a woman in your 30s.  You're not quite to that point where you are confident with your place in the world, but you are not still in your 20s trying to find where you fit in.  It's kind of a weird place of limbo.  Abby proves that it's okay to accomplish goals and pave the way for the girls coming up behind you and that doesn't in any circumstance take away from your achievements.

So. Abby Wambach. Retired at 35.  FIFA Player of the Year.  World Cup Champion.  Inspiration.  Making an impact on and off the field.