Christine Dorfler: From Army Captain to the NFL’s CFO

How Susie Wolff Took F1 Academy from Empty Tracks to Global Partnerships

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 [https://pod.link/1893437254] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/MariaSharapova] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack⁠⁠ [https://prettytough.substack.com/] * 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 the Uncomfortable * 12:20 Navigating Career Setbacks and Injury * 18:15 The Intuition Behind Career Pivots * 21:30 Ambition, Motherhood, and Identity * 24:25 The Power of Saying "No" * 27:00 Life After Retirement: Self-Discovery * 32:00 Challenging Perceptions: Femininity and the "Pink Car" * 35:30 The Future of Women in F1 * 38:30 Taking the Helm at F1 Academy * 43:10 The Strength in Asking for Help * 46:30 Breaking Barriers in the Workplace * 49:25 Working with Toto: Directness, Honesty, and Partnership * 54:30 Raising a Son in the Motorsport World * 57:20 What’s Next for Susie Wolff * 58:15 Pretty Tough Tips: Resilience * 1:01:15 Rapid Fire: Unlearning Selfishness and Finding Confidence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Misty Copeland Never Wanted to Stand Out. Then She Changed Ballet Forever

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 [https://pod.link/1893437254] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on X⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/MariaSharapova] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack⁠ [https://prettytough.substack.com/] * 00:00:00 – Intro: The Evolving Athlete * 00:02:15 – Finding Her Voice: Overcoming "Little Mouse" * 00:07:30 – Survival Mode to Artistic Passion * 00:09:30 – The First Ballet Class: From Basketball Court to Prodigy * 00:13:45 – The Studio as a Sanctuary * 00:14:15 – Stage Presence vs. Public Speaking Nerves * 00:19:30 – The Power of Consistency in Performance * 00:22:00 – Dancing Through Pain: The 2012 Firebird Season * 00:27:15 – A Career-Ending Injury and the Road to Recovery * 00:29:45 – Redefining the Relationship to Pain * 00:32:00 – Lifelong Learning: Evolving Technique Post-Principal * 00:33:45 – Art vs. Sport: Why Ballet is Subjective * 00:36:00 – Breaking the Curtain: The Role of Social Media * 00:39:00 – The Farewell Performance: A Thank You to the Journey * 00:42:30 – The Prince Connection: Lessons in Identity and Excellence * 00:47:00 – Returning to the Stage: The Oscars and Sinners * 00:51:30 – Collaborating with Taylor Swift * 00:53:00 – Addressing the Timothée Chalamet Comments * 00:56:45 – Future of Dance: Production and Storytelling * 00:59:45 – Closing the Financial Gap in Arts Education * 01:01:15 – The Misty Copeland Foundation’s Mission * 01:03:30 – Parenting and Letting Go of Control * 01:09:15 – Strategic Partnerships and Protecting the Brand * 01:14:00 – Life After Ballet: Defining a New Identity * 01:15:30 – Rapid Fire: Unlearning Pain and Defining Toughness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Christine Dorfler: From Army Captain to the NFL’s CFO

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 [https://pod.link/1893437254] ⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠Follow Maria on X⁠⁠⁠ [https://x.com/MariaSharapova] ⁠⁠⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en] ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack [https://prettytough.substack.com/] * 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 Army * 00:06:00 – Taking a Big Promotion During Maternity Leave * 00:09:40 – The Art of Saying "No" in Finance * 00:10:45 – Moving into the Sports Industry * 00:12:30 – Advice for Young, Ambitious Professionals * 00:14:30 – Transitioning to the NFL * 00:15:30 – Roger Goodell’s Leadership Style * 00:18:00 – The "Taylor Swift Effect" on NFL Viewership * 00:20:45 – Growing Girls’ Flag Football * 00:22:45 – Mastering the Art of Negotiation * 00:24:45 – Reflecting on the NFL-ESPN Media Deal * 00:29:45 – Sports Betting and Protecting Game Integrity * 00:33:45 – Global Expansion and New International Markets * 00:38:15 – Evolving Fan Consumption Habits * 00:41:00 – Lightning Round: Routine, Perfection, and Resilience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Amy Astley on Working Alongside Anna Wintour and Building Brands

This week on the show, editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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 [https://pod.link/1893437254] ⁠⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/?hl=en] ⁠⁠Follow Maria on X⁠⁠ [https://x.com/MariaSharapova] ⁠⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en] ⁠⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack [https://prettytough.substack.com/] * 00:00:00 Intro: Redefining Taste in a Borderless World * 00:02:18 The "Dutiful Daughter" Archetype in Business * 00:04:00 Ballet Beginnings: Learning Discipline and Letting Go * 00:08:24 Career Lessons from Anna Wintour * 00:10:04 The Power of Saying "Yes" and Taking Opportunities * 00:12:44 Transforming Architectural Digest * 00:14:14 The Mission Behind Teen Vogue * 00:17:15 The Strategy Behind Magazine Covers * 00:23:18 The Digital Evolution of Legacy Media * 00:28:48 Pretty Tough Tips: Visualization for Success * 00:33:55 The "Open Door" Series: Connecting Through Content * 00:43:24 Facing the Future: AI in Publishing * 00:51:57 Moving Beyond the "Tastemaker" Label * 00:55:00 Integrating Personal Life and Professional Practice * 01:00:17 NYC Design Recommendations * 01:04:12 Pretty Tough Questions: Lessons, Routines, and Perfectionism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Ashley Graham: How AI, Plastic Surgery, and GLP-1s Are Changing Beauty Standards

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 [https://pod.link/1893437254] ⁠Follow Maria on Instagram ⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/mariasharapova/?hl=en] ⁠Follow Maria on X⁠ [https://x.com/MariaSharapova] ⁠Follow Pretty Tough on Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/prettytough/?hl=en] ⁠Subscribe to Pretty Tough on Substack⁠ [https://prettytough.substack.com/] 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 The Defining Moment: How Her Mother’s Advice Saved Her Career 00:07:45 The Evolution of the Body: Life After Three Kids 00:10:00 The "Banned" Lane Bryant Ad & Dealing with Public Scrutiny 00:12:35 Handling Negative Comments & Mental Toughness 00:15:15 The Historic 2016 Sports Illustrated Cover 00:18:00 The Power of the Platform: Changing Lives Through Authenticity 00:20:00 Tony Robbins & The Importance of Celebrating Wins 00:21:40 Impact of GLP-1s & Modern Body Image Trends 00:24:00 The Future of Modeling & AI 00:26:00 Postpartum Realities & Balancing Motherhood 00:28:15 Managing Mental Drainage: Routines, Boundaries, & Parenting 00:31:00 Broadway Debut: Making It Happen Through Grit 00:34:00 Debunking the Myth of "Overnight Success" 00:36:00 From Model to Founder: Building Her Wine Company, Luce 00:43:00 Strategic Planning & The Value of Intergenerational Friendships 00:44:45 Pretty Tough Q&A: Unlearning Hard Habits & Finding Power Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]