Every few months, I get the privilege of hopping on a plane and traveling across the globe with the U.S. Women’s National Field Hockey Team. In the past 16 months alone, I’ve been to seven different countries. To some, that sounds like a dream; to others, it probably sounds like a whirlwind of stress and chaos. The truth? It’s a little bit of both.
And while it’s definitely not the Eras Tour (sorry, no Taylor Swift sets here), we like to joke that our life on the road isn’t all that different from a world tour. Instead of singing and dancing, we’re playing hockey matches in front of international fans, living out of suitcases, staying in hotels, and spending weeks away from home.
What “Going on Tour” Really Means
When we say “tour,” it means we’re typically gone for 2–4 weeks at a time, depending on the tournament. We fly out about a week before the competition begins so we can adjust to the time zone, shake off the jet lag, and get in a few practice sessions.
That first day after arrival is usually all about recovery. Everyone has their own way of getting their body back on track: some grab coffee and go for a walk, some hit the pool, some simply crash in the hotel bed. Our trainer, Hannah, often leads us through yoga or stretching sessions to shake off the long travel.
Once we settle in, practices and meetings take over. Getting a feel for the field is huge—every turf plays differently, whether it’s fast, slow, bouncy, or slick. We’ll also spend a lot of time scouting opponents, reviewing film, and going over our team standards. That prep week is all about fine-tuning.
Finding Routine on the Road
One of the biggest challenges of tour life is building a routine when everything around you is constantly changing—different countries, different food, different languages, and none of the comforts of home (shoutout to my bed, the thing I miss the most).
I try to create a daily rhythm that mirrors life at home: when I wake up, when I have my coffee, when I wind down at night. Sticking to that helps my mind and body stay grounded amidst all the travel.
And while our schedule can feel packed with practice and meetings, there’s actually more downtime than people think. We nap, read, share books, or play games. On our last tour, we set up a little “movie theater” with a projector and played some cutthroat games of spicy uno—a game I still don’t fully understand but somehow always lose.
Game Day Prep
The night before a match, we all lock into our own routines. Some of my teammates like to rewatch film, some study notes, and others prefer to switch off completely and think about anything but hockey.
Before joining the team, I never had much of a pregame routine. But at the international level, I realized it makes a huge difference. For me, that looks like writing down three specific, achievable things I want to do in that game. Keeping the focus that simple keeps me grounded and confident once I step onto the field.
Why It’s All Worth It
Tour life is a mix of emotions—exciting, overwhelming, nerve-racking, and inspiring, all rolled into a few weeks abroad. Traveling the world with 20 of your closest teammates isn’t always easy, but it’s an experience I’ll never take for granted.
Every trip leaves me with new memories, new lessons, and new gratitude for the sport I love. It’s not always glamorous, but there’s nothing better than stepping on the field, wearing the USA across my chest, and knowing I get to share this journey with an incredible group of women.
