Hannah Berner: Leaving Reality TV, Starting Giggly Squad & Finding Her Confidence
Pretty Tough with Maria SharapovaShow Notes
Comedian and Giggly Squad host Hannah Berner joins Maria Sharapova for a special live episode of Pretty Tough in New York City! Hannah opens up about her lifelong obsession with tennis, playing on the junior circuit, and why her ultimate childhood dream was to win Wimbledon before pivoting to stand-up comedy.
Hannah and Maria dive into the pressure of competitive sports, meeting her heroes, surviving reality TV on Summer House, and treating comedy touring like an elite athlete. Plus, Hannah shares the truth behind "Smile Gate," unlearning self-criticism, and where she gets her confidence from.
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CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction & Live Show Opening
00:20 – Welcoming Hannah Berner: From Junior Tennis Circuit to Comedy
02:15 – Childhood Dreams: Wanting to Win Wimbledon
03:50 – US Open Predictions & Fan Favorites
04:45 – The Crazy Story of Chelsea Handler in the Player's Box
08:30 – Playing Like the Boys & High School Tennis Memories
11:00 – The Mental Toll of Losing and Pressure in Pro Tennis
15:00 – Pivoting Away from Tennis & Overcoming Setbacks
20:00 – Finding Stand-Up Comedy & Re-Parenting Yourself
23:15 – Reality TV, Summer House, and Handling Public Narratives
26:15 – Where Confidence Comes From: Tennis vs. Comedy
30:00 – Hitting with Kim Clijsters & Racket String Tensions
34:00 – The "Smile Gate" TMJ Botox Story
38:50 – Marriage to a Fellow Comedian & Working with Amy Poehler
42:00 – Treating Comedy Touring Like an Athletic Event
44:45 – The Rapid-Fire Game: Tennis vs. Comedy
53:50 – Closing Segment: Unlearning, Perfection, and What Makes You Tough
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About Pretty Tough
Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.
About Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.
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