Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova

In this episode of Pretty Tough, host Maria Sharapova sits down with tennis sensation Alex Eala. At just 21 years old, Alex has carved her name in history as the first Filipino to ever win a WTA tour title, rocketing into the world top 20 after unforgettable runs at Wimbledon and DC. Alex opens up about what it’s really like to be in the middle of a massive breakout moment under the global microscope. She discusses the brutal physical and mental demands of the sport, learning how to suffer on court, and dealing with the immense weight and pride of carrying a nation's expectations. From grueling 4:45 AM training sessions with her grandfather to moving away from home at 13 to join the Rafa Nadal Academy, to the highs of winning, meeting Anna Wintour, forging friendships on tour, and more. Alex shares the raw, unfiltered reality of her life playing elite tennis. SUBSCRIBE ►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1 LISTEN: ►Listen to every episode on your favorite…

Maria Sharapova sits down with Milk Bar founder, chef, and entrepreneur Christina Tosi. From getting her start writing food safety plans for David Chang to breaking the internet with Compost Cookies and cereal milk soft serve, Christina shares the raw, unfiltered reality of building a massive dessert empire. They dive deep into the power of her "cannonball" mindset, embracing failure out loud, navigating extreme burnout, the pressures of being a CEO and why she ultimately decided to step back and move to Nashville to reset. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creator, or just trying to figure out your next chapter, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humility, and inspiration. SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1 LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254 CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction: The "Cannonball" Personality and Welcoming Christina Tosi 00:54 — Trading Business Stories: Maria Sharapova and…

Supermodel icon Carolyn Murphy sits down with Maria Sharapova to reflect on three decades in fashion, shooting 73 Vogue covers (and counting), and the pivotal moment she walked away from fame to live quietly in Costa Rica with her daughter. Carolyn opens up about the power of intuition, breaking up with perfectionism, navigating single motherhood, and why dedication always beats discipline. SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1 LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254 00:00 – Introduction: Aging, Longevity, and Supermodel Realities 00:59 – Escaping the Spotlight: Why Carolyn Walked Away to Costa Rica 02:00 – The Chaotic Moncler Aspen Runway & 30 Years of Experience 03:43 – Nana's Wisdom: "Beauty is as Beauty Does" & Trading Discipline for Dedication 05:32 – The 1995 Prada Pixie Cut & Finding Her Footing in the Grunge Era 08:34 – Maintaining Individuality Amidst Endless Industry Opinions & Working…

Acclaimed actress, director, and producer Emmy Rossum joins Maria Sharapova for a candid conversation on building a 30-year career on her own terms. From getting her start in the Metropolitan Opera Children's Chorus to holding her own alongside legends like Sean Penn at age 16, to spending nine transformative years on the hit show Shameless where she famously advocated for equal pay, Emmy has continually pushed the boundaries of her craft. Now, she is taking on more creative control as an executive producer and star of the hit thriller Furious on Hulu. SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1 LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254 CHAPTERS 0:00 – Intro: The Athlete's Mindset in Acting 2:15 – Growing Up on Shameless: Navigating Nine Years and Developing a Front-Row Seat to Production 8:00 – The Ballsy Move: Fighting for Equal Pay and Overcoming the Stigma Around Asking for Your Worth 12:20 – Behind…

It’s New York Fashion Week, and who better to speak with than fashion icon and entrepreneur Jenna Lyons? Maria and Jenna discuss everything from her meteoric rise at J. Crew, from assistant designer to president and executive creative director to her advice on developing personal style, why she decided to walk away from the Housewives, to complete career reinvention. 0:00 – Intro: Stepping Into Your Power with Jenna Lyons 2:15 – The Early Grind: Starting Out as an Assistant at 21 7:30 – Learning the Business Side: Moving from Design to Executive Decision-Making 13:10 – The J.Crew Golden Era: Shaping a Cultural Force and American Style 19:45 – Mastering Creative Control: Protecting Your Vision in Corporate Boardrooms 26:00 – The Cost of Perfectionism: Overcoming Burnout and High-Stakes Pressure 33:20 – The Breaking Point: Stepping Down and Navigating a Public Identity Crisis 41:10 – Rebuilding from Scratch: Finding Your Voice Outside the Corporate Machine 47:50 – Style as a Language: Why Authenticity Outlasts…

Comedian and Giggly Squad host Hannah Berner joins Maria Sharapova for a special live episode of Pretty Tough in New York City! Hannah opens up about her lifelong obsession with tennis, playing on the junior circuit, and why her ultimate childhood dream was to win Wimbledon before pivoting to stand-up comedy. Hannah and Maria dive into the pressure of competitive sports, meeting her heroes, surviving reality TV on Summer House, and treating comedy touring like an elite athlete. Plus, Hannah shares the truth behind "Smile Gate," unlearning self-criticism, and where she gets her confidence from. SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1 LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254 CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction & Live Show Opening 00:20 – Welcoming Hannah Berner: From Junior Tennis Circuit to Comedy 02:15 – Childhood Dreams: Wanting to Win Wimbledon 03:50 – US Open Predictions & Fan Favorites 04:45 – The…

Maria Sharapova sits down with Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn for a raw, deeply honest conversation about ambition, aging, pain, and the relentless drive to push boundaries. At 41, after years of injuries and a major knee replacement, Lindsey returned to competitive racing with one goal: another shot at Olympic gold. But just days before the Olympic Games began, a devastating crash and a ruptured ACL changed everything—forcing her to make the hard choice to race anyway, only to crash again on the Olympic downhill. Maria and Lindsey dive deep into the harrowing physical and mental aftermath of that crash, how she is navigating grueling surgeries and recovery, and how she’s weighing whether or not she will ever race again. SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1 LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254 CHAPTERS 00:00 | Introduction: The Comeback, the Crash, and What Comes Next 02:13 | "Too Old to…

Maria Sharapova sits down with Marie-Louise Sciò, CEO and creative director of the iconic Italian luxury hospitality company, the Pellicano Group. Marie-Louise shares her remarkable journey from watching her mom’s hotel parties from behind the rosemary bushes to securing a $200 million investment and expanding across Italy. Together, Maria and Marie-Louise laugh, drink Negronis, and ponder the true meaning of luxury. Tune in as they sip, share stories, and unpack what it really takes to build an unforgettable brand and customer experience. SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1 LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254CHAPTERS 00:00 | Introduction: Negronis at Noon and Perfecting Italian Luxury 01:17 | The Quote: Why Sex, Fun, and Joy Never Go Out of Style 04:00 | Growing Up Il Pellicano: Hiding Behind Rosemary Bushes and Lobster Rescues 06:55 | Taking the Leap: Designing Bathrooms and Rethinking…

Maria Sharapova sits down with Nobel Peace Prize laureate, author, and activist Malala Yousafzai to discuss breaking out of public expectations, prioritizing mental health, and why she wants more women in ownership roles in women's sports.Hear how Malala and her husband Asser are investing in women's sports through Recess Capital. They dive into how ‘the Caitlin Clark effect’ is changing the narrative, and why women's sports are the next profitable powerhouses. Come see Maria live in New York. Tickets Here https://prettytoughlive.splashthat.com/SUBSCRIBE►Subscribe to Pretty Tough: https://www.youtube.com/@mariasharapova?sub_confirmation=1LISTEN:►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254CHAPTERS00:00 | Introduction: Finding More Women in the Boardroom & Owner's Box00:30 | Malala Yousafzai: Activist and Investor02:15 | Surviving the Hedge Maze of Life03:40 | Waking Up in Birmingham: The First Moments After the Attack06:00 | Losing Control of Your Own Narrative at…

How do you bring a legendary brand back from the dead? When Delphine Bellini joined Schiaparelli in 2014, the fashion house had been dormant for over 60 years. There were no customers, no modern business, and no blueprint for success—just the legacy of one of fashion's most visionary founders. A decade later, Schiaparelli has become one of the most influential and talked-about brands in luxury fashion. In this conversation, Delphine shares with Maria what it actually took to pull off that transformation: convincing people to believe in a vision before the results existed, partnering with creative director Daniel Roseberry to redefine the house for a new generation, and resisting the pressure for quick wins in favor of building something exceptional. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. ⁠⁠⁠Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on…

As the Managing Director of F1 Academy, Susie Wolff is helping reshape the future of motorsport. Susie joins Maria to discuss navigating the high-stakes negotiations, the pressure of maximizing growth while F1 Racing is having its moment, and what its like holding her ground in rooms where she's often the only woman at the table. Susie opens up about racing through injury, the power of saying no, and getting tough love from her husband, racing legend Toto Wolff. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack⁠⁠ 00:00 Introduction: Resilience in Business and Sports 02:00 Defining Calculated Risks 04:55 Childhood Influence: Equal Opportunity and Drive 06:50 The Reality of Racing: Noise, Gender, and Performance 10:07 Finding Comfort in…

Legendary ballerina Misty Copeland pulls back the curtain on the most pivotal moments of her career. From performing on the Oscars stage alongside the cast of Sinners—and addressing Timothée Chalamet’s infamous comments—to the unique experience of collaborating with icons like Prince and Taylor Swift, Misty shares it all. Misty and Maria also dive into the reality of performing through injury: the physical toll, the mental resilience required to keep going, and what these challenges taught her about her body and its limits. Misty Copeland is the true embodiment of Pretty Tough. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on X⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack⁠ 00:00:00 – Intro: The Evolving Athlete 00:02:15 – Finding Her Voice: Overcoming "Little Mouse" 00:07:30 – Survival Mode…

What does it take to manage the finances of the world’s most powerful sports league? In this episode, Maria sits down with Christine Dorfler, the CFO of the NFL, for an unfiltered look at the business behind the game. From her journey as an Army Captain to navigating the complex financial landscape of the NFL, Christine shares the leadership lessons and high-stakes decision-making that keep the league growing. We dive into the "Billion-Dollar" choices that impact everything from international expansion to the game-day experience. And of course ‘The Taylor Swift Effect.’ All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. ⁠⁠⁠Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on X⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack 00:00:00 – The Power of Confidence and Humility 00:02:00 – Learning to Lose: Lessons from Sports 00:03:45 – Leadership Lessons from the…

This week on the show, editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest Amy Astley reflects on her path from aspiring ballerina to journalist to leading some of the most influential publications in fashion and design, including Architectural Digest and Teen Vogue. She opens up working alongside Anna Wintour, navigating high-pressure creative environments, learning to trust her instincts, and her thoughts on what it truly means to be a “taste maker.” Together, Maria and Amy talk about perfectionism, ambition, mentorship, self-doubt, and the pressure women often feel to prove themselves in leadership roles. They also discuss taste, storytelling, social media, creative risk-taking, and why curiosity may be the most important skill of all. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. ⁠⁠Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow Maria on X⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough…

This week on the show, model and entrepreneur Ashley Graham joins Maria for a conversation about confidence, body image, ambition, and self-worth. Ashley opens up about navigating criticism in the fashion industry and impossible standards placed on women — especially in industries built around image. Together, Maria and Ashley talk about perfectionism, motherhood, changing bodies, identity, resilience, and how to spot a good business opportunity. It all adds up to an inspiring conversation around how to live unapologetically. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. ⁠Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠ ⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠ ⁠Follow Maria on X⁠ ⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠ ⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack⁠ 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:45 Being Unapologetic: Identity & Career Longevity 00:03:30 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a CEO 00:04:45 Early Scrutiny: Dealing with Body Standards from Age 12 00:06:20…

Clinical psychologist Becky Kennedy — better known as Dr. Becky — joins Maria for a conversation about parenting, resilience, confidence, and emotional growth. Dr. Becky shares why she believes struggle is an essential part of development, how parents can stay grounded during emotional moments, and why perfectionism often starts much earlier than we think. Together, she and Maria talk about self-worth, boundaries, anxiety, shame, and the pressure parents feel to “get everything right.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedian and best-selling author Chelsea Handler has built a career on saying exactly what she thinks, regardless of the consequences. From stand-up comedy and bestselling books to hit television shows, she’s never played by anyone else’s rules. Maria and Chelsea first connected at the 2012 Olympics and have been friends ever since. Maria explores what drives Chelsea’s independence across every chapter of her life and how she continues to evolve through therapy, travel, and psychedelics. They discuss reinvention, freedom, and what it really means to live life on your own terms. Maria also asks the question she’s been curious about for years: after all the success, what keeps Chelsea pushing forward? The result is a conversation that is funny, honest, and unexpectedly thoughtful, everything you’d expect when Chelsea Handler is in the room. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform Follow…

Willow Bay has spent her career telling powerful stories. Now, she’s helping reshape who gets to be at the center of them. As a longtime journalist and now the dean of USC Annenberg, Willow has worked across nearly every major television network, building a career at the intersection of media, leadership, and storytelling. Alongside her husband, Disney CEO Bob Iger, she’s also the co-owner of Angel City FC, one of the most valuable teams in women’s sports. Willow also shares her perspective on why giving athletes the tools to tell their own stories may be the most powerful shift happening in sports today. Maria and Willow also discuss what it means to reimagine an entire sports ecosystem with women at the center, how to spot opportunity early, and the challenge of overcoming imposter syndrome at the highest levels. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform Follow Maria on Instagram…

Gabriela Hearst is one of the most purpose-driven designers in fashion. She’s built her career slowly, intentionally, and entirely on her own terms. You may know her for dressing icons like Laura Dern, Jodie Foster, and Zoë Kravitz, or for redefining luxury through sustainability, from the first carbon-neutral runway show to creating a line made from 100% recycled cotton. But her story begins on a cattle ranch in Uruguay, where quality, durability, and respect for the land shaped everything she does today. In this conversation, Maria and Gabriela discuss the reality of the creative journey, why success rarely comes fast, how a chance elevator encounter with a design legend changed her life, and what it takes to stay grounded in an industry built on hype. She also shares how she approaches biohacking to maintain her mind and body in one of the most demanding industries in the world. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. Listen to every…

Jeanie Buss is the most powerful woman in the NBA. As Governor and longtime controlling owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, she has protected one of the most valuable brands in sports through tragedy and transition. Now, she explains why, after all these years, her family decided to sell 85% of the team for $10 billion. On this episode of Pretty Tough, Jeanie sits down with Maria for one of her most candid conversations yet. She takes Maria behind the scenes of the secret Luka Dončić trade — kept hidden from LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Mark Cuban, and even Luka himself. Jeanie also opens up about the people she's lost — her father, Dr. Jerry Buss, Kobe Bryant, and the 15-year relationship with Phil Jackson that shaped how she leads today. All that and more on this episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform Follow Maria on Instagram Follow Maria on X Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram Subscribe to Pretty Tough on…

Welcome to the very first episode of Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova! For her debut interview, Maria sits down with Hollywood’s highest-grossing actor of all time, Academy Award winner Zoe Saldaña. You probably know Zoe from starring in some of the most iconic movie franchises of our lifetimes — Avatar, Star Trek, and Guardians of the Galaxy. But she’s also taken on roles in indie films and different genres. Just last year, she won an Oscar for Emilia Pérez, becoming the first Dominican-American to do so. Maria and Zoe get into how she went from a little girl in Queens doing ballet to reaching Hollywood's greatest heights. All that and more on the inaugural episode of Pretty Tough. Pretty Tough is produced in partnership with VOX MEDIA. You can watch Pretty Tough every week on YouTube at ⁠youtube.com/@mariasharapova⁠ or listen in your favorite podcast app. Follow us on Instagram @⁠prettytough⁠ and TikTok @⁠prettytough⁠ Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack at ⁠prettytough.substack.com Learn more about your…

Why can't unapologetic ambition coexist with elegance and femininity? Maria Sharapova is ready to flip the script. On her new podcast, Pretty Tough with Maria Sharapova, the tennis champion and entrepreneur hosts conversations with high-achieving women like Zoe Saldana, Jeanie Buss, and Chelsea Handler about what it means to pursue excellence on their own terms.Pretty Tough drops Wednesday 4/22. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices