Lauren Holiday: Champion Beyond The Field

Lauren Holiday stands as one of the most accomplished and resilient figures in American soccer whose impact extends far beyond her remarkable achievements on the pitch.

As a two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Holiday established herself as an elite midfielder known for her extraordinary vision, technical skill and selfless play that elevated everyone around her.

What truly distinguishes Holiday is her grace under pressure, both in sports and life. After retiring at the peak of her career in 2015 to start a family, she faced a life-threatening health crisis when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor while pregnant with her first child. Her subsequent recovery and advocacy work, alongside her NBA champion husband Jrue Holiday, has inspired countless people through their social justice initiatives and the JLH Fund, which supports Black-owned businesses and nonprofits. Holiday’s journey from soccer prodigy to champion, mother, survivor and changemaker exemplifies how athletic excellence can be a foundation for even greater impact beyond the game.

PERSISTENCE

Holiday’s path to becoming one of soccer’s elite players was never straightforward. Her journey demanded a resilience that would later define her approach to off- and on-field challenges. It started with the highly competitive youth soccer landscape which included injuries and setbacks before and after joining the national team. “There is so much beauty in the trenches,” Holiday reflects, looking back on her career. This perspective—finding purpose in difficulty—became her hallmark, particularly evident during the 2015 World Cup when, despite knowing it would be her final tournament, she sublimated personal glory to take on a more defensive role that the team needed.

Her persistence reached its most profound test in 2016 when, six months pregnant with her daughter, doctors discovered a benign brain tumor. The timing couldn’t have been more challenging, requiring her to delay critical surgery until after giving birth. Through this harrowing period, Holiday applied the same methodical determination that characterized her playing career.

“I’d tell my younger self to trust that staying rooted in her values will take her further than chasing validation ever could,” Holiday says. “There will be pressure to fit a mold, to measure success by trophies or headlines, but real success is being able to look in the mirror and know you led with integrity.”

This philosophy guided her through recovery and into her post-playing career, where grit has taken new forms—building businesses, foundations and advocating for causes with the same steady commitment she once brought to the training ground.

PURPOSE

Holiday’s strategic mindset extends far beyond her tactical brilliance on the soccer field. Throughout her career, she approached every challenge with a thoughtful intentionality that balanced immediate goals with long-term vision. This calculated approach became evident in her decision to retire at 27—walking away at her peak to prioritize family and explore broader impact opportunities.

With her husband Jrue, Lauren has developed a distinctive approach to business and philanthropy that reflects their shared values. “We approach everything—investments, philanthropy, business—with the mindset that it has to serve a greater purpose,” Holiday explains. “We don’t want to be transactional. We want to be transformational. We ask: Does it align with our faith, our family mission and our commitment to justice?”

This strategic framework led to the creation of the JLH Fund in 2020, which provided over $5 million in grants to Black-owned businesses and nonprofits during the pandemic. Rather than haphazard giving, the Holidays prioritized deep impact through targeted investments in underserved communities.

This integrated approach to decision-making has allowed Holiday to build ventures that align with her personal mission while maintaining balance. She strategically leverages her platform not just for personal gain, but to create opportunities for others, particularly women athletes navigating their own career transitions.

PASSION

What separates Holiday from many elite athletes is how she has channeled her passions beyond sport into every aspect of her life and career. Her faith, commitment to social justice and desire to empower women have been consistent threads throughout her journey, giving deeper meaning to her athletic achievements and guiding her post-playing endeavors.

“My passions outside of soccer—whether it’s my faith, social justice or empowering women—have always given deeper meaning to why I played,” Holiday shares. “They’ve made me a better teammate and leader, because I saw the game as part of something bigger. Those same passions are now driving me to build platforms that support athletes, not just as performers, but as people with dreams.”

This holistic view enabled Holiday to maintain perspective during her playing days, preventing the common trap of having one’s identity completely consumed by athletic performance. It also prepared her for a smooth transition when she stepped away from competition—she already had well-developed interests and purpose beyond soccer.

Her passion for player development and mentorship has found expression through coaching clinics and speaking engagements where she encourages young athletes to cultivate their whole selves. “You are more than your sport and the sooner you embrace that, the more powerful your platform becomes,” she advises. “Don’t wait for retirement to start building your voice, your brand, your impact. Let what lights you up guide you, whether it’s fashion, finance, education or activism.”

Through her foundation work, business ventures and advocacy, Holiday consistently demonstrates how athletic excellence can serve as a launchpad for deeper passions. “Soccer gave me a stage,” she reflects. “Now I’m using it to spotlight others.”