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EP 15- Jill Loyden: Former USWNT Goalkeeper, The Keeper Institute Coach- On Overcoming Adversity and Becoming a Bouncy Ball

March 30, 2017 by Kendall Johnson in Interview, Podcast

Former USWNT goalkeeper and founder of The Keeper Institute, Jill Loyden, has been an underdog her entire life. Growing up, Jill was one of three kids raised by a single mom, in Vineland, New Jersey. She was cut from several teams, laughed at when she told her grandma her dreams, and recruited by only two colleges.

But deep down, Jill,  has always known that only she controls her destiny, and has used this stubbornness to find a way through adversity.

Jill fought her way onto the US Women’s National team, but just months before the Olympics, she received the worst call she could have ever imagined. She lost her sister due to domestic violence.

Instead of allowing this tragedy to break her, Jill discovered an even greater purpose in her life. She continued playing in the Olympics, and started in a game on the day of her sister’s birthday, an accomplishment that meant far more than just a soccer game.

She’s since retired, coaches for Sky Blue FC and is the founder at the The Keeper Institute,which hosts the only facility in the country specifically catered towards goalkeepers.

In our conversation we talk about why Jill thrives being an underdog, why she views herself as a bouncy ball, how the loss of her sister changed her perspective on soccer and life, what to do if you our someone you know is involved in a domestic violence dispute, the one trait all the Greats possess, and she gives us  a simple yet highly effective exercise to get you through the most difficult times.

Jill’s a very inspiring human, and once you’re done listening to our interview, if you’re like me, you’ll want to head out into the world and take names!

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March 30, 2017 /Kendall Johnson
arrow living, female athletes, interview, Jill Loyden, kendall johnson, Sky Blue FC, soccer, The Keeper Institute, US soccer, USWNT
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“There isn’t anything Kendall does without pouring everything she has to offer into it. She cares enough to not be scared to say what you might not always want to hear. She’s already been a great mentor. She is someone I admire so much. She doesn’t make excuses and will achieve what she is after.”
— Allie Long, USWNT World Cup Champion
“Few people have positively impacted me on or off the field as much as Kendall. She has a unique ability to help elevate all of the lives she comes in contact with. Through her own pursuits, triumphs, and trials, she has accumulated a wealth of different approaches to professional and personal growth. It is impossible to spend time with her and not walk away as a better version of yourself.”
— Michelle Betos, NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year
“In the world of professional athletes, you are surrounded by self-motivated people who are all working to a varying degree of “obsessive” to push themselves as hard and far as they can physically, mentally, and psychologically go. This doesn’t even begin to describe Kendall’s approach to all aspects of life. She lets nothing slip through the cracks and has a natural ability to put her passion to practice. Anyone who sits down in a conversation with Kendall will leave smarter, challenged, and with their perspective on life considerably altered.”
— Emily Menges, NWSL Champion
“I met Kendall at a challenging time in my life, and from the start, I felt comfortable sharing those challenges with her. After I first opened up to her about it, it was easy from then on out because she always helped me see my feelings are valid; my experiences and my story are my own, and I can make them to be what I want. She helped me find the beauty in times of struggle and she somehow managed to respond to my life hurdles, and her own, with an open mind and a good laugh. She has helped me to believe life works for us, not against us, and my life has become better for that. She is an amazing teacher.”
— EJ Proctor, Duke goalkeeper
“I have played soccer almost my entire life, and something that I have always struggled with is my mindset and confidence. As someone who strives to train, play, and perform at the highest level all of the time, it is very frustrating to be set back by my tendency to let my mind get in the way of my play. My goal is to play soccer at the highest level possible–to be recognized as a top player at Kentucky, play professionally, and compete on the national team. I have tried many mental techniques surrounding my game in order to help maintain a steady mindset throughout my seasons, but I have struggled to find strategies that are the best fit for me. 

I have calls with Kendall very consistently and she always creates a space that makes me feel completely at ease and comfortable to share whatever is on my mind. Something that I really appreciate about talking with her is that she really wants to know and learn about me as a person, and we never immediately get into the soccer portion of the call. It is really comforting to know that I always have someone as knowledgeable and thoughtful as Kendall to talk to about the highlights and setbacks of my life and soccer journey, and I feel really confident in my future plans after talking with her. Not only do I feel like I am doing everything I possibly can to accomplish my goals as a result of the training schedule that we often work on together, but we also discuss and build upon different approaches to improve my mindset, such as journaling, visualization, mental plans and steps going into training, and morning routines.

I have learned so much from Kendall and have felt such a big difference in my confidence not only as a player, but also as a person. I have grown to trust my own voice and opinion on another level, as well as increasing my confidence in my knowledge and preparation. I have seen such a big difference in my mental and physical space as a whole and I always look forward to our next call. Thank you so much Kendall, I cannot express how much I appreciate all of the time, effort, support, and thoughtfulness you put into and bring to every one of our calls!”
— Elle, University of Kentucky commit

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