My guest today on Episode 26 of The Bravest Kind is Keelin Pattillo. Keelin is a former professional soccer player, spending the last four years of her career as captain of the Seattle Reign FC. Following her retirement from professional soccer in 2016, Keelin started her new career as a firefighter with the Kirkland Fire Department.

Keelin and I discuss not only her own playing career, but what it was like growing up in a household with a father who was also a professional athlete, having both played and coached in the NBA. We also talk about her decision to leave behind the world of professional soccer, despite being in her athletic prime, and pursuing a career as a firefighter. Keelin is candid about the inequality in pay between male and female professional soccer players and shares her perspective on being one of the few females working in the fire service.

Keelin is also the mother of two young boys, and she describes the challenge of balancing life as a mom and firefighter, along with how she has gained more perspective and empathy as it pertains to her job since becoming a mother. Keelin is thoughtful, strong, and compassionate, and while we talk about her career pursuits, we also dive into the importance of vulnerability and the concept of impermanence as it relates to human existence.

For more on The Bravest Kind, see: https://www.ryansheaffer.com/thebravestkind

Follow Ryan on Instagram at: @ryan.sheaffer and on Twitter @sheafonfire

Email me with show or interview suggestions: ryan@ryansheaffer.com