Hannah Berner: Leaving Reality TV, Starting Giggly Squad & Finding Her Confidence

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. SUBSCRIBE ►Subscribe to Pretty Tough:    / @mariasharapova   LISTEN: ►Listen to every episode on your favorite podcast platform⁠: https://pod.link/1893437254 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 HASHTAGS #PrettyTough #MariaSharapova #hannahberner #gigglysquad #summerhouse #usopen #guhlzguhl FOLLOW THE SHOW ►Maria on Instagram:   / mariasharapova   ►Maria on X: https://x.com/MariaSharapova ►Pretty Tough on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettytough... 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.