How Leah Williamson Bounced Back From A Footballer's WORST NIGHTMARE

You’re more capable than you think you are. Footballer Leah Williamson has learnt that setbacks are often an opportunity to prove and strengthen your resilience.
In this chat with Fearne, Leah explains how getting through a major injury has made her love the person she is now more than the one she was before because of the way she looks after herself.
Leah talks about the importance of listening to your own body, and trusting what it’s trying to tell you rather than ignoring or overriding it. There’s also food for thought on why we shouldn’t feel guilty for taking proper time out from our relentless lives.
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Fearne's HAPPY PLACE is a place to celebrate honesty, authenticity and community. Fearne delves into life, love, loss and everything in-between by chatting to inspiring individuals who have made a change in their own lives or help other people to find different ways of seeing life as she reveals what happiness means to them.
Happy Place is a space that is safe for all where difference is celebrated and the extraordinary is discovered. A place to focus on the positives and to help you find the joy every day - big or small.
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ABOUT FEARNE COTTON
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter, mother, broadcaster, writer and founder of Happy Place, a place where Fearne holds difficult but important conversations to encourage self-care and self-appreciation, creating a positive impact on the world, giving everyone a voice and actively listening.
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[@fearnecotton]

Did you find Leah's story inspiring?

[@deehazleton9276]

Absolutely

[@TracySunshineStott]

@@fearnecotton 💯

[@Leomessimagic23]

100%

[@darkside0075]

She's an amazing person thank you fern 😊

[@marleyhattam8800]

💯

[@deehazleton9276]

What an amazing podcast episode Leah so true about people not belonging i found a place in women’s football and feel so accepted

[@EduardoGarcia-g2v]

who? hahaha

[@danidobenfas]

for real.

[@kenspedding4594]

The standards 💩💩💩💩 they’ll take anyone.

[@benfroughi]

Women should be banned from the beautiful game.

[@DianeChase-k4d]

Leah is one of the most impressive people you could encounter.

[@EduardoGarcia-g2v]

who? hahaha

[@TracySunshineStott]

@@DianeChase-k4d 💯❤️

[@mdjiles]

She is an incredible interview. It feels like she gives her soul-her answers are honest, open, provide depth, & she takes the time to really think about the questions.

[@benfroughi]

She's got the personality of used toilet paper

[@benfroughi]

She's got the personality of a muddy puddle.

[@whiskeredshrimp]

her comeback story is incredibly inspiring! im so glad you had the chance to talk to her!! this topic surrounding women's football isnt talked about enough

[@EduardoGarcia-g2v]

hahaha womens

[@whiskeredshrimp]

@@EduardoGarcia-g2v seems like you haven’t done anything in life

[@laris1486]

She is always so real! I stumbled on Arsenal long long time ago, before Leah was even in the first team. First the men then the women. If been bullied during my school periods but i have always felt so at home at Arsenal. And i met amazing people along the way, people i call my friends.

[@benfroughi]

Football isn't for you. Go and do something else.

[@TracySunshineStott]

I haven’t clicked on anything quicker ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Captainperfection]

England manager Sarina was on here a while ago and i listened to it straight away now the England captain is on here 😊😊😊 i love Leah

[@SimonDover]

I had to check the length and the clock. See how late I was gonna be.

[@TracySunshineStott]

@@SimonDover 😂

[@TracySunshineStott]

@@SimonDover ❤️

[@livclares]

amazing and inspirational. thank u for this❤

[@alisamarotta2352]

I always feel for her age Leah has such wisknow and perspective so is one that I take the time to listen to

[@susanpearson-creativefibro]

The Lionesses made me love football. I now watch several WSL matches at the weekends. Although I will watch the England men playing it all seems far more toxic.

[@benfroughi]

No one asked you to watch football. The beautiful game is better off without dishwashers.

[@megawatts3164]

Really enjoyed that. Wicked conversation. 👍

[@poppystevens2260]

I got into football during the Euros and now follow arsenal women. I go to as many games as I can get to. I’ve recently had a baby (he’s now 7 months old) and he has been to many women’s games with me

[@kenspedding4594]

And your point is you like watching 💩💩💩💩

[@benfroughi]

May the lord have mercy on that poor child

[@benfroughi]

You should be reported for child abuse, how could you do that to a vulnerable baby? He'd have been bored to death wondering why anyone would pay to look at dishwashers.

[@benfroughi]

You should be reported for child abuse, how could you do that to a vulnerable baby? He'd have been bored to death wondering why anyone would pay to look at dishwashers.

[@janecme]

Fearne in a frock, Leah doing an interview before gym. Love. It.

[@SimonDover]

From a purely selfish point of view, Leah's injury was one of 3 factors that meant no WC yet. The personality of a perfect captain. She will have many interests and opportunities after football. But if she wants the ENG job, she'll get it. She will make a great coach.

[@rosevrillavigne]

LEAH WILLIAMSON 😍😍😍 the fit is fitting 🤎🔥🤎

[@Leomessimagic23]

Amazing, a true player and advocate ❤

[@hayleyb6338]

Great player, leader and inspiration for generations to come🎉❤

[@lessi4life]

leah is so so inspirational❤❤

[@kenspedding4594]

Inspirational 😂😂😂😂 for what getting over an injury get a life you 🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@michaelwright8390]

Never tire of watching and listening to this extraordinary footballer, England captain and role model. The best number 6 in world football. Love Leah Williamson.

[@benfroughi]

She wouldn't get in your local u15s boys team

[@J411-i8d]

Legend

[@o0musique0o]

Leah’s ‘Arsenal through and through’ 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️

[@natrisp6809]

There’s our girl LW6 ❤🤍 fantastic interview. Leah 100% is my daughter’s inspiration. Leah and the euros got her into grass roots football and we’ve since become regular Gooners at the Emirates and following the Lionesses. We’re now all completely football obsessed. Totally agree with the family atmosphere at women’s games, feel totally safe. Literally involved in feeling the shift. All the women and girls playing is something to celebrate 🙌

[@bethlusby90]

Inspiring women everywhere ✨

[@haili_]

142😭 shes getting older each time she brings up the deathbed😭😭

[@skellvarnsen23]

Oh captain my captain❤

[@Goonerson1969]

I suffered so badly with endometriosis right up until l had my ovaries out at 47 so l know exactly how Leah feels. So glad lm a Gooner and have been since l was 8 years old. If you're ever in Northampton Leah give me a shout, we'll go for coffee 😊

[@megmo05]

More women footballers please!

[@jessmagoa]

We can’t talk about the shame around women’s bodies on our periods, especially when addressing specific athletes that compete in tight swimsuits or leotards, without confronting the ridiculous standards that the patriarchy has put on what a women’s body should look like and the inherent anti-fat bias that comes with that that many women choose to ignore or not recognize, or maybe just don’t know how to talk about. Especially when we have a well known female athlete on who I’m sure many young girls look up to and want their body to look like hers, even though that would not be possible due to genetic factors that differ from person to person. But young girls probably don’t know that, I didn’t, and may struggle with disordered eating or over exercising, which is not healthy. We cannot have conversations about the shame of women’s bodies on our period without addressing the direct cause of it and putting the shame not on ourselves for not meeting some impossible standard, but on the systems of oppression that force women into boxes that they should not have to fit into. I’d highly recommend having Aubrey Gordon on the podcast who can talk to this with so much knowledge, first hand experience and research.

[@otomo9778]

if you go through life looking for injustice you will find it, i'm not saying its not there but you find a lot more if you go looking. huge respect for Leah though.

[@joshuasavident621]

Really fancy Leah

[@rasclotify]

142?!! My word Leah, sure Science is changing, we're living longer, and sure yr a professional athlete and all, but 142 is pushing it dontcha think? My goodness, lol.

[@stuartsteele167]

Leah ❤

[@izzyreallytho8]

This was wicked

[@KC-pe8be]

Enjoyable, but being a fan of Leah I don’t think I learned anything new from this podcast.

[@katiejackson1827]

Agreed ❤

[@JT.KD32]

What is the interviewer always doing with her hands!?😂🙈 And Leah "copies" her - normally she doesn't do it that much.

[@AshleyLloyd-r5h]

Did she just say Sarina could manage any men's top team

[@scarlet5270]

she could

[@TracySunshineStott]

@@scarlet5270 💯

[@ChargedWords]

I'd take her over quite a few male managers tbh including Southgate.

[@ScottScrimgeour-lc6th]

It’s like she’s the only one who’s ever been injured 🤷‍♂️ have I missed something

[@Captainperfection]

Yes you are missing the entire point 🤦‍♂️

[@isobellesutherland9782]

ACL injuries are an epidemic in womens football and still isn't being taken seriously outside the sport.

[@abcas19]

she is being asked about her personal experience. not everyone's?

[@Captainperfection]

@@abcas19 dont bother, you wont get any sense out of them

[@abcas19]

@@Captainperfection they cant stand that women footballers have actual fans and people that respect them. seems dumb to hate.

[@Ste2023]

very overrated

[@abcas19]

hardly

[@Ste2023]

@@abcas19 very overrated . Like Declan rice , saka,

[@katiemp670]

@@Ste2023 so you're a spurs fan