Mia Hamm Backs $1M Fund for Women Athletes' Pain Care

When Mia Hamm retired from professional soccer in 2004 as one of the most decorated players in U.S. history, she and her teammates were told to take an ice bath and get on with it. Many players had no health insurance and stayed quiet about injuries, fearing they'd lose their spot on the national team.

Now the two-time Olympic gold medalist is fighting to change that culture. She's partnering with Tylenol on the PainTalk movement, which commits $1 million to help women athletes recover from injuries and speak openly about pain.

"Just because you acknowledge the pain doesn't mean you're not tough," Hamm tells Women's Health. For too long, she says, women have been asked to power through pain while putting everyone else's needs first.

The landscape has transformed since Hamm's playing days. The National Women's Soccer League now has 16 teams, record-breaking player contracts, and state-of-the-art recovery facilities. In March, the league established a Health Advisory Council with medical experts and researchers to guide player care.

But progress takes ongoing commitment. Through the Women's Sports Foundation, the campaign created the Athlete Recovery and Care Commitment Grant. Twelve female athletes will each receive $10,000 for medical costs, recovery tools, and services.

Current NWSL player Emma Sears joined the campaign alongside Hamm. When Hamm played, she only had support from her national team during camps, creating enormous stress the rest of the year.

The emotional and mental health resources have grown too. Players now have support systems beyond just their teams, something Hamm says makes all the difference.

The Ripple Effect

This movement reaches far beyond professional athletes. Hamm emphasizes that the campaign speaks to women everywhere who routinely ignore their own pain while caring for others.

The cultural shift in women's sports reflects a broader conversation about taking women's health seriously. What starts with professional athletes speaking up creates permission for all women to prioritize their wellbeing.

"This campaign isn't just about pro athletes," Hamm says. "It's for women all over the country, all over the world to say, 'Hey, you matter.'"

The message is simple but revolutionary: acknowledging pain is strength, not weakness, and women deserve the resources to heal.