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‘Psychological flexibility’ and other lessons from pro-athlete moms

November 8, 2023

Sonya Looney placed third in a 100-mile mountain bike race, her first competition after she returned to racing following two pregnancies. Erin Huck won her first USA Cycling Marathon National Championship seven months after giving birth.

Looney and Huck are part of a growing group of pro-athletes who say that motherhood and ambitious athletic pursuits aren’t mutually exclusive.

These mom-athletes are honest about the effects of pregnancy, nursing and having young children on being a world-class athlete. But they also say that parenthood elevates athletic performance in significant ways by making them psychologically flexible, helping them achieve balance in multiple areas in life and providing a deep sense of purpose. WP