In a startlingly honest revelation that will resonate with athletes and fans worldwide, England's celebrated goalkeeper Mary Earps has laid bare the profound mental health struggles that nearly ended her career at its peak.
The Lionesses' hero, whose penalty-saving heroics captivated the nation during England's World Cup campaign, confesses in an exclusive extract from her new biography All In that she came "within two weeks" of walking away from professional football entirely.
The Breaking Point
Earps reveals the crushing weight of expectation and criticism that pushed her to the brink. "There were moments where I thought, 'I can't do this anymore,'" she admits, describing the intense scrutiny that followed her every move both on and off the pitch.
The Manchester United goalkeeper details how the very career she had dedicated her life to became a source of overwhelming anxiety, with the pressure reaching unbearable levels during critical tournament periods.
Behind the Gloves: The Real Story
What makes Earps' confession particularly powerful is the stark contrast between her public persona as a formidable, unshakeable presence between the posts and the private turmoil she endured. She writes candidly about the loneliness of the goalkeeper position and the unique psychological challenges it presents.
"People see the saves, the celebrations, the medals," Earps explains. "They don't see the nights spent questioning everything, the weight of responsibility, or the voice in your head telling you you're not good enough."
Finding Strength in Vulnerability
The biography extract reveals how Earps transformed her darkest moments into fuel for her greatest triumphs. Her journey back from the edge involved developing new mental resilience strategies and learning to embrace vulnerability as strength rather than weakness.
Earps' story serves as a powerful reminder of the human being behind the athlete, challenging the stereotype of the invincible sports star and opening up crucial conversations about mental health in professional sport.
A New Chapter for Women's Football
By sharing her story so openly, Earps joins a growing movement of female athletes breaking down barriers and changing the conversation around mental wellbeing in sport. Her honesty promises to inspire a new generation of footballers to prioritise their mental health alongside their physical performance.
The full biography, All In, available now, offers an unprecedented look at the making of one of football's most compelling figures and the personal battles fought behind the scenes of international glory.
