Gold Medal Doctor Rachel Buehler Van Hollebeke
“I don’t think medicine and academics took away anything from my pursuit of soccer. If anything, I think they added to it”
Episode Description
After winning two Olympic golds and a World Cup silver, Rachel Buehler van Hollebeke has made her big jump from the world of professional soccer to medical school. In episode 6 of The Big Jump, David and Rachel talk the “Buehldozer,” Disney music, and her incredible 24 hour transition from professional soccer to medical school orientation. From inspiring the next generation of female soccer players to following her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor, Rachel opens up about her double life as a professional athlete and high-level academic.
Guest Info
As a three-year captain of the Stanford soccer team, two-time Olympic gold medal winner, and World Cup silver medalist, Rachel Buehler van Hollebeke won hearts as the “Buehldozer.” However, Rachel has always kept her dream of being a doctor alive. After retiring from professional soccer in 2015, Rachel has returned home to San Diego as a medical student at the University of San Diego School of Medicine. Now in her third year of medical studies, Rachel is considering a career in either family medicine or OB-GYN.
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Show Notes
Earliest memory playing sports
No pressure parents
A heart surgeon’s daughter
Realizing her potential
The 1999 World Cup
Das Buehl-dozer
Stanford years
Putting on the National jersey
A double life -- Olympics and MCATs
The Little Mermaid effect
Podium moment
Keeping the doctor dream alive
The 2011 World Cup
Placing an importance on women’s soccer
The 2012 Olympics
Behind the emotions -- gold medal 2
Going pro
The generation of inspiration
Taking on van Hollenback
Rachel’s Big Jump -- The 2015 Team
A 24 hour turnaround
Missing the instinct
From the field to medical school
Picking a new field
Leveraging her athletic mind
Managing perceptions
What aspect of yourself are you working on
Happy place
Rookie Rachel