98. Molly Bloom’s Redemption: From Federal Felon to Oscars Night
In this powerful second installment, Molly Bloom takes us from her lowest point—convicted felon, millions in debt, and under FBI indictment—to the surprising turn that led her back into the spotlight. She shares how the same athletic grit that carried her down Olympic slopes helped her weather mob threats and a RICO case, and ultimately propelled her into publishing a memoir and partnering with Aaron Sorkin to bring Molly’s Game to the big screen. Along the way, Molly reveals the hard lessons of maintaining integrity under pressure, the freedom found in losing everything, and the resilience required to rewrite your own story. She also opens up about balancing motherhood with newfound opportunities, her unlikely journey through Hollywood, and the personal triumph of starting a family against all odds.
Timestamps
00:00 – Rock Bottom Reveal: From poker queen to convicted felon in millions of debt
01:00 – Athletic Grit, Part II: How Olympic lessons powered Molly’s comeback
02:30 – Motherhood vs. Ambition: Battling mom-guilt, building your support “village,” finding stillness
07:00 – Rewriting the Rulebook: From burnout to a recovery toolkit of meditation, rest & self-compassion
10:00 – Integrity Under Fire: Turning down the easy plea and standing by your values
12:00 – The Mob, the Gun, the Mirror: Surviving extortion and confronting your moral drift
16:00 – Indictment & Advocacy: Choosing transparency with federal prosecutors over plea-bargain fame
20:00 – Betting on a Story: From a 10-copy book launch to winning Aaron Sorkin’s Hollywood trust
24:00 – From Courtroom to Red Carpet: The surreal leap from sentencing hearing to Oscar buzz
28:00 – True Jackpot: Family: Defying 1% IVF odds to welcome daughter Fiona
33:00 – Closing Hand: Your Next Chapter: Molly’s challenge to turn every setback into a comeback
Notable Quotes
“I just remember making a promise to the universe: I will never abandon my values, my family, or myself ever again.” Molly Bloom
“If you’re unwilling to take another bold risk after a bad beat, you’ll stay right where you are.” Molly Bloom
“There’s a freedom in losing everything—because then you can’t be anyone but who you really are.” Molly Bloom
“I met Aaron Sorkin by betting on the best horse in Hollywood, even when my own book had sold ten copies.” Molly Bloom
Valuable Resources
Molly’s Game (Aaron Sorkin, 2017) & Molly’s Game memoir by Molly Bloom
Key Takeaways
- Integrity Pays Dividends: Choosing values over easy outs—even under federal indictment—builds lifelong credibility.
- Leverage Athletic Grit: The discipline that wins races can also power comebacks after personal and professional collapse.
- Build Your Village: Sustainable success requires support: mentors, family, hired help, and radical self-care.
- Own Your Story: When life derails you, the only way forward is to become the author of your own narrative.
- Bet on Yourself: Even if your first “hand” flops (book sales, legal battles), bold risks can unlock game-changing opportunities.
- Redefine the Jackpot: True victory lies not in money or fame, but in resilience, relationships, and the chance to start anew.
Tune in for more wisdom from Molly’s journey—and get ready to play your next hand with courage and conviction.
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Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.