We Can Do Hard Things: Answers to Life's 20 Questions

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of anti-gay bias, child sexual abuse, addiction, and substance use.

The three authors of We Can Do Hard Things bring complementary perspectives that strengthen the book’s credibility and breadth. Glennon Doyle, the primary voice, established herself as a leading figure in contemporary self-help literature through her previous bestsellers, Untamed and Love Warrior, which chronicled her journey from addiction and marital crisis to authentic living. Her background as a former teacher and her public advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly through her marriage to retired soccer star Abby Wambach, positions her to speak authentically about living according to internal rather than external guidance. Wambach contributes the perspective of elite athletic achievement and public visibility, having been a two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion before retiring. In addition, her experiences of coming out publicly and recovering from alcohol addiction add depth to discussions about authenticity, letting go, and life transitions. As a former corporate lawyer and Legal Fellow with International Justice Mission in Rwanda, Amanda Doyle, Glennon Doyle’s sister, has worked to secure land rights for women and accountability for child victims of sexual violence. This direct experience with institutional systems and their impact on individual lives positions her to address the book’s themes of justice, systems change, and practical action. 

While this combination of lived experience, public platform, and professional training creates a solid foundation for the book’s insights, the authors acknowledge their own positional limitations by incorporating over 100 diverse voices throughout the text. Though all three primary authors are white, financially privileged women, the book’s extensive inclusion of contributors from varied backgrounds—including people of different races, socioeconomic circumstances, and life experiences—broadens the perspective beyond what any single authorial voice could provide. The authors’ emphasis on individual agency and choice is balanced by the stories of contributors who speak to systemic barriers and structural challenges, underscoring that applying the book’s principles may be more complex for marginalized communities. While some advice may assume access to resources like therapy or career flexibility, the diversity of voices and experiences represented helps ensure that readers from different circumstances can find applicable wisdom and strategies that resonate with their specific contexts.