Glennon Doyle

Glennon Doyle (1976) is an American author, activist, and podcast host best known for her bestselling memoirs Untamed (2020), Love Warrior (2016), and Carry On, Warrior (2013). Her writing blends personal narrative with themes of authenticity, resilience, and self-discovery, resonating with millions of readers worldwide. Beyond her books, Doyle founded Together Rising, a nonprofit organization that has raised over $45 million for humanitarian relief, social justice, and community-based causes. Named to Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 and celebrated as a leading voice in contemporary activism, Doyle has become a powerful advocate for women’s empowerment, LGBTQ+ visibility, and social change.

Glennon Doyle: Bestselling Author, Activist, and Founder of Together Rising

Glennon Doyle is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, activist, and thought leader whose work has reshaped conversations around authenticity, resilience, and self-discovery. Her 2020 memoir Untamed—a Reese’s Book Club selection—has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and was named one of the most influential books of the decade for its candid exploration of identity, love, and personal freedom. Her earlier memoirs, Love Warrior (an Oprah’s Book Club pick and New York Times #1 bestseller) and Carry On, Warrior (praised for its wit and honesty), further established her reputation as a writer capable of blending raw vulnerability with empowering clarity.

People magazine has described Doyle as the “patron saint of female empowerment,” a title reflected not only in her books but also in her podcast, We Can Do Hard Things. Launched in 2021, the show quickly became one of the top-ranked podcasts in the U.S., featuring conversations on marriage, mental health, addiction recovery, sexuality, and radical self-acceptance with guests ranging from Brené Brown to Tracee Ellis Ross.

As the founder and president of Together Rising, Doyle has demonstrated the same transformative vision in philanthropy that she brings to her writing. Since its founding in 2012, the women-led nonprofit has raised over $50 million through its grassroots model of small, collective donations—most gifts averaging less than $50. These funds have gone directly to urgent causes, including reuniting families separated at the U.S. border, supporting refugee resettlement, funding frontline COVID-19 relief, and aiding communities impacted by natural disasters. This innovative, trust-based model has redefined grassroots giving, proving the power of collective generosity.

Doyle lives in California with her wife, former U.S. soccer star Abby Wambach, and their three children. Through her bestselling books, influential podcast, and groundbreaking nonprofit work, she has become a singular cultural voice—one who consistently challenges individuals to embrace vulnerability, reject societal expectations, and pursue lives defined by authenticity and courage.

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Early Life and Education

Glennon Doyle was born in 1976 and grew up in Burke, Virginia, in a close-knit family with her sister, Amanda. From a young age, she wrestled with profound challenges, including bulimia and substance use, struggles that would later inform the unflinching honesty of her writing. In her widely viewed 2013 TEDx talk, Lessons from the Mental Hospital, she recounted her time in a treatment facility, using her story to destigmatize mental health struggles and demonstrate the possibility of recovery.

After graduating from James Madison University in 1999 with a degree in art, Doyle began her professional life as an elementary school teacher in Northern Virginia. These early experiences—marked by both private battles and a deepening understanding of the human condition—would eventually shape the voice that made her one of the most influential memoirists and activists of her generation.

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Literary Career

Glennon Doyle’s path as a writer began in 2009 when she launched Momastery, a blog that combined candid personal reflection with humor and social commentary. What started as a small online community quickly grew into a widely read platform, praised for its unfiltered honesty and Doyle’s ability to translate her private struggles into universal truths.

The blog’s momentum led to her first book, Carry On, Warrior (2013), which compiled and expanded on her essays. It was met with strong reviews for its wit and emotional transparency, positioning her as a fresh, distinctive voice in memoir. She followed this success with Love Warrior (2016), a searing exploration of betrayal, marriage, and healing that was named to Oprah’s Book Club and shortlisted for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work.

Her third memoir, Untamed (2020), marked a breakthrough both commercially and culturally. Beyond topping the New York Times bestseller list, the book sparked a global conversation around authenticity, particularly through its viral “cages” metaphor about the invisible constraints placed on women. Untamed went on to sell millions of copies, was translated into more than 30 languages, and cemented Doyle as one of the most widely read and influential nonfiction authors of the decade.

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Activism and Philanthropy

In 2012, Glennon Doyle established Together Rising, an all-women-led nonprofit designed to channel collective compassion into tangible impact. The organization pioneered a distinctive fundraising model: rapid-response campaigns built on small, individual contributions—most capped at $25—that together fuel large-scale relief efforts. This approach not only democratized philanthropy but also cultivated a sense of shared ownership among donors, proving that meaningful change can be driven by thousands of small acts of generosity.

Under Doyle’s leadership, Together Rising has grown into a powerhouse of grassroots activism. By 2024, it had raised over $50 million to address urgent needs ranging from reuniting families separated at the U.S. border, to funding refugee resettlement, to delivering disaster relief in the wake of hurricanes, wildfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization has also invested heavily in women’s health initiatives, educational programs, and community-based support systems. Its success has made Together Rising a model for trust-based philanthropy and one of the most innovative charitable organizations in the United States.

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Personal Life

Glennon Doyle was first married to Craig Melton, with whom she has three children. Their marriage, and eventual separation, became a central thread in her memoir Love Warrior, where she wrote candidly about infidelity, forgiveness, and rebuilding life after betrayal. In 2016, Doyle made headlines when she announced her relationship with retired U.S. soccer legend Abby Wambach, just months after the release of Love Warrior. Their partnership quickly became emblematic of the themes Doyle champions—authenticity, courage, and the freedom to live truthfully.

Doyle and Wambach married in 2017 and have since built a blended family that includes Doyle’s three children. Now based in California, the couple often speaks about their shared commitment to advocacy, family, and social justice, with Wambach’s activism in sports and equality complementing Doyle’s literary and philanthropic work. Their marriage, widely covered in both literary and sports media, continues to serve as a visible testament to Doyle’s belief in second chances, radical honesty, and the power of living openly.

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Recent Endeavors

Glennon Doyle has continued to broaden her platform beyond books and nonprofit work. In 2021, she launched the podcast We Can Do Hard Things with her sister, Amanda Doyle, and her wife, Abby Wambach. The show quickly rose to the top of the Apple Podcasts charts, drawing millions of listeners with its candid conversations on topics such as mental health, addiction recovery, relationships, parenting, and social justice. Guests have included cultural figures like Brené Brown, Cheryl Strayed, and Tracee Ellis Ross, helping the podcast establish itself as one of the most influential platforms for personal growth and collective healing.

Her reach also extends into professional sports. In 2020, Doyle and Wambach became co-owners of Angel City Football Club, the Los Angeles–based National Women’s Soccer League team founded to advance gender equity and expand opportunities for women in sports. This investment underscored Doyle’s commitment to championing women’s voices and building institutions that model inclusivity and empowerment.

Through her books, nonprofit leadership, podcasting, and public advocacy, Doyle continues to expand her influence across literature, media, and culture. Her recent endeavors reflect a consistent mission: to inspire individuals to embrace authenticity, confront challenges head-on, and contribute to a more just and compassionate world.