Exclusive: Carli Lloyd Is 'Totally at Peace' With Her Decision to Retire From Soccer: 'I Gave Everything I Had'

Soccer star Carli Lloyd first announced her retirement from the sports world in August 2021, and two months later, she ended her career on a high note, with 134 career goals.

These days, the athlete may be missing the game slightly, but she notes that "all good things eventually come to an end."

"I'm totally at peace with my decision to leave the game a year and a half ago. I am enjoying retired life, as it's very busy. I wouldn't say I feel retired. I've had a lot of opportunities and am grateful for all of that. I think I left the game at peace and knowing that I gave everything that I had from start to finish," the 40-year-old exclusively tells Morning Honey while discussing her role in Frito-Lay’s upcoming TV spot, “The Greatest Game Never Played,” which brings together women’s soccer stars and past icons like Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Abby Wambach and more.

These days, Lloyd feels like she's "finally living life" after hanging up her cleats for good. "I lived life — but soccer was my life. It came ahead of everything, and it was extreme. I was fully immersed in soccer 24/7. If I wasn't on the field training, I was playing a game or practicing or thinking about the game and thinking about how to get better," she explains. "To have that pressure on your shoulders for so long is hard. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I can show a bit of my vulnerable side now."

"I've been able to spend more time with my husband," the New Jersey native, who is married to Brian Hollins, adds. "I love being home and enjoying our backyard and being in the pool during the hot summer months. I've been at home weeding and doing all this manual labor that I never did because I didn't want to exert any energy outside of training or make myself more tired, but every day is different for me. Some days are busier than others. Some days I get to wake up and say, 'I am not going to do anything today.' I've also been able to be on Fox's show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. It's been fun to live life and catch up with people."

Going forward, Lloyd doesn't have any particular bucket list moments to complete now that she has free time. "You never know what doors are going to open and what opportunities will come. Sometimes you have to take a leap and get out of your comfort zone," she advises. "I have gotten out of my comfort zone onto the TV side, and I've been really enjoying it."

Now, Lloyd will be covering the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ from the sidelines as an analyst. "I get to sit back and enjoy it now and be a fan! This is my first World Cup where I will be watching every game as a player. I didn't do that before since I was focused on myself and my team," she adds. "There will be no pressure except when the red light on the camera turns on."

Though two-time Olympic gold medalist will hopefully get to interact with some of her old teammates while she's abroad, she knows when to stay in her lane. "I know it takes a lot of focus, and if I get to see them over there, then great! If they do win, then they will come to the Fox set. I am going to leave them be. I know what it takes to have to focus when playing in the World Cup. I get to see how everything unfolds!"

Since Lloyd is a soccer enthusiast, her spot in Frito-Lay's new campaign was a perfect fit.

Frito-Lay and FIFA announced the continuation of their relationship with Frito-Lay signing on as a North American Tournament Supporter and Official USA Snack of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, marking the company's largest-ever investment in women's sports.

"We've seen a couple of the Frito-Lay's commercial spots, and they've been entertaining and fun. When this opportunity came to me, what I loved about it was that it's full of amazing former players and current players. 'Taste of Greatness' — there's nothing more that needs to be said with the group of players taking part in this," she says. "I am playing the role of a broadcaster in the beginning of it, which translates to what I am going to be doing for Fox Sports in Sydney, Australia, for this women's World Cup. I also get to play an animated version of myself."

"There's this game, and we're facing off against incredible players and legendary players, and it's showcasing these amazing players. What I love about it is is that it's the first spot that has kind of bridge the gap between generation to generation," she adds. "It just speaks volumes to where the game has come and how far women have come."