Creating Space for Calm and Clarity

Soccer star Sarah Gorden developed a game-changing routine that works on the pitch—and in daily life.

- By Amanda Lucci

Professional soccer player Sarah Gorden's morning routine is her sanctuary—but that wasn't always the case. Back in 2016, newly drafted into the National Women's Soccer League and a single mom to a 2-year-old, she was consumed by anxiety. She “didn’t know what to do with” her feelings, she says, so she added yoga and meditation to her mornings as a way to process the chaos in her head. Initially, her goal was clarity on the pitch: As a center back for Angel City Football Club, she’s the last line of defense before the goalkeeper, so it’s critical to keep her composure. Armed with an outlet for anxious thoughts, she learned to accept any situation for what it is and move forward—a practice she applies when surveying