← Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch
Sunday Sports Club with Allison Kuch
What it takes to be an Olympic Mom with Kendall Coyne Schofield
00:38:30
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A
The following podcast is a Dear Media Production.
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What's up, guys? Welcome back to Sunday Sports Club Podcast, a podcast all about sports told by a woman. And that woman is me. Hi guys, I'm Alison Cooch and today I am joined by Kendall Coyne Schofield. I'm so excited to talk with you and actually we go way back because our husbands played on the last Los Angeles Chargers together. So how are you doing? I mean, you just won a gold medal.
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A
Yes.
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C
It's so good to see you, Ali. I mean, it's been years.
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A
I wish we were just like at
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C
a coffee shop, which we will get there with our children one day and just hang out and catch up. And I still have major FOMO that
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A
you, Isaac and Michael got to hang
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C
out in Italy together. And I couldn't be there because obviously I was busy in the village or
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A
at the rink, whatever we were doing. But it is so great to see you, to see all of your success,
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C
to see your beautiful baby and your soon to be second beautiful baby and
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A
just, just all the incredible things you are doing. It has been so fun to watch from afar.
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B
It's crazy. Our trajectories after, like our husbands played together, like all the things, I mean, you were always playing hockey, but all the things that we've like accomplished and now it's just crazy looking back at it. But I mean, yes, I got to hang out with your husband while in Italy at the Olympics, but you probably didn't get much free time while at the Olympics. So, like, what was that? How long were you there? Two weeks. What was that?
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A
Like, we got there on January 30th and then we left February 23rd. So we were there for almost a month. Yeah, yeah, we. Our first game was actually before the opening ceremonies because our tournament is just so long, which I wish it was longer.
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C
I would be there forever if they'd let us.
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A
But yeah, no, it was, know it's a balance. You know, I think I just, I took a step back and just realized like, how special it was to have our family, to have our friends, to have a special environment that the Olympic Games brings. Because in 2022, we weren't able to have that because of the pandemic. No family, no friends, no, you know, just it was, it was very much so go into the arena, play the game and leave. And. And it wasn't really the spirit of the Olympic Games. So just these Olympic Games were just so wholesome for so many levels and really finding that balance, being able to, you know, when can I go see my family. When can I not? And they all had their own social
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C
schedules anyway, so, like, when I was available, they're like, sorry, we're in Lake Como. I'm like, oh, awesome. Send a picture. I'm in the Olympic Village. So it was so cool to see them have such a great time and
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A
enjoy themselves, and especially my family. Like, we didn't really grow up going on, like, family vacations, and a lot of it was just. It was just too expensive with four kids playing hockey. And so, you know, here we are still doing hockey. But to have them be able to experience just, you know, life outside of hockey and the travel, the world through
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C
hockey is really cool.
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B
Oh, my gosh. Absolutely. I feel like there's so much that goes into the Olympics and just like, the fact that, like, this was your first time at the Olympics having, like, had a child and you're a mom, and also, like, your family gets to be there. You're in Italy. Like, there's so many things I have to ask, ask. But I think the most important thing I want to ask first off is that with you being in NHL, Al, you've made history at the NHL All Star Game. You're a mom, You're a gold medalist. When somebody goes, oh, what do you do for work? Like, what do you say?
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A
I. It depends on the situation. Like, I work in sports or. But I will say, like, one thing I'm so proud to say, and it's been so long overdue, and we've had a fight and worked so hard to say this is that I'm a professional athlete. You know, it almost brings tears to my eyes because it's been so hard. It's been so long. And, you know, especially as, you know, like, we grew up. We did grow up, you know, alongside our husbands, and we saw the professional environment that they deserved, that they earned. And so I really. I saw it vicariously through my husband years, year after year after year, and, you know, what it took and what it means to be really treated like a professional. And I was like, gosh, like, women's hockey, like, deserves that. We deserve that. We work just as hard, and we deserve that platform. We deserve those resources. And, you know, we're two and a half years into the PWHL and we're here. So to say that I'm returning to my day job as a professional hockey player is a dream come true, honestly.
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B
Is it because you talk about a little bit about women's sports, is that. Is that, like. Is it almost, like, frustrating like, trying to get the same, like, I don't know, like, applause as, like, so many men who are professional athletes do.
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A
It's, it's not frustrating, I think, like, we put our head down and we work. We put our head down and we're not going to stop until we get to, you know, where we deserve to be. And that was the case for men's hockey. We were professional by name only. My salary was $7,500. That's why you would see me in LA, because I wasn't tied to a team that was forcing me to live in a certain city to try and win a championship for that city. I, I was going to U.S. national team events in between here and there. So when you'd see me at a game, it was between an event or I set up shop wherever Michael was playing in Denver and then to la, and I would, you know, work out and skate in the morning there with a boys team and find a strength coach there. And then that, that was kind of my day.
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B
While.
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Because we didn't have a professional league that was sustainable. That was, you know, like, we've done our whole, you know, we've. We did. We moved here, we moved here, we went here, we went here. Right. Like, I know that's hard and pro sports is. It's unstable. No, that's the, that's the tough part about pro sports and especially being the partner in it. It's hard, it's unstable. But as that partner, you know, I know, like, throughout his career, I could provide that stability. And it's been really cool to kind of see those roles reversed in our case now that Michael retired during my first season in the pwhl. And, you know, he's that stability for me now, being a professional athlete myself.
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B
Yeah, it was actually really fun getting to talk with your husband about this because there is no other relation. I mean, there are like, a few relationships where I. Where there, like, is an NFL player who has been to the super bowl and then their. Their wife has been to the Olympics, and you're one of very few. But it was so interesting getting to talk with him about, like, you being able to support him and knowing how he likes to be supported and just knowing the amount of time you have to commit to your sport and him being able to fully, like, turn around and do that exact same thing for you.
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A
Yes. And it's, it's been so rewarding. And in a way, like, it's like people always ask me, did you think he was going to be this great of a husband. Do you think he's going to be this great of a dad? And I'm like, yeah, I wouldn't have married him otherwise.
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C
I'm not, you know, give me some credit here. Like, I have some wherewithal to me, but I think it has been really
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special just to see how quickly, you know, he transitioned out of his playing career. I mean, the second that and. Sorry. The second the NFC championship game ended, when he was on Detroit, he was on the next flight to Minnesota. Because I was alone with our son, you know, six months old in Minnesota. He was in Detroit. I was breastfeeding. I was, like, exhausted. I don't have to explain what six months postpartum is to you. Like, I was like, get your butt to Minnesota.
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C
On that first flight, I was like, I really want you guys to go to the Super Bowl. But that means another two weeks of single parenting. And, like, I mean, single parenting is.
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Is one of the most hardest but rewarding. And I give all the credit in the world. I didn't do it for very long, but it was. It was so hard just to be by myself and like, a new mom, a new. New sports, you know, new league. Like, everything was new, new, new. And he was again, that stable part of what wasn't new.
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And I was like, get to Minnesota, please. But then just to see him so
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quickly, his career ended in, like, immediately activated, like, you know, 100% all into, you know, my athletic career and how he could support me as a husband, you know, obviously as a father to our son, and just, you know, supporting me in just so many, so many different ways. So he quickly. Yeah, he quickly adjusted and, you know, he's been embracing it ever since.
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B
Well, I want to take a second and talk about pregnancy, you continuing to play hockey. But first and foremost, when you announced that you were pregnant, a lot of people assumed it was like a retirement. Retirement announcement. So when did you first realize that people were interpreting it that way? And were you, like, taken aback?
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A
Yeah, I was at first confused because I was like, did I put something that said I was retiring on the pregnancy announcement?
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C
Like, I know I have pregnancy brain, but, like, I swear I didn't say I'm pregnant and I'm retiring. But that's kind of what. At first, I kind of felt that way.
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Like, you know, getting a lot of congratulations. Oh, it's been a great career. You have so much to be proud of. Like, congratulations. And just a lot of, like, congratulations. Beyond just the expecting news, it was more the. You've done You've had such a great career. Like, you should be so proud. And I'm like, thanks, but no thanks. Thanks, but I have so much more to. I have so much more that I want to do. I have so much more that I want to accomplish. And this isn't the end. This is only the start of a new beginning. And that's me as a mom and as. As a hockey player. And. And my son's not going to be the reason that I stopped playing hockey. He's going to be the reason I continue to play hockey. And I think what was. Was so hard about that not only was, you know, just, you know, you're. You kind of lose your body in a way when you get pregnant. And, you know, my muscle and my, you know, my strength and my speed, like, all the things that I've had my whole life, you know, I was starting to lose that a little bit. And then I start to hear all these people saying, congrats, you're almost. You're done. And I'm like, why am I done? And then, you know, I started really to look at, like, Allison Felix, Alex Morgan, you know, Alana Myers Taylor, and I really started to look at those women that I'm like, they did it. Like, I can do it too. Like, I. I believed I could do it from the very beginning. And I'm like, I'm going to do this. And so, yes, it was. It was hard. And I will tell you, it's. It was hard because I was hard to turn to somebody. How do I work out? When can I stop? When should I stop skating? You know, I was at the point, 31 weeks, weeks pregnant, still skating, and I was cutting my hockey pants because
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my belly didn't fit in them any, you know, and just like, what.
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What can I do? Can I lay on my back? Like, how do I work out with this, you know, my new body and get the most out of it, but not, like, hurt, you know, the baby. And so it was just really toeing that fine line of, like, wanting to be ready for when I was able to return, but also embrace who I was in that moment.
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B
The best way I can describe, like, even you continuing up until, like, 30 plus weeks, I'm like, you're a badass. Because I know, like, you probably still woke up tired some days, you probably still were nauseous some days, but, like, you continued to push, and I'm just like, wow, what a badass.
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Oh, could this vintage store be any cuter?
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Right? And the best part, they accept, discover
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A
Except Discover in a little place like this? I don't think so. Jennifer.
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Oh yeah, huh?
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Discover is accepted where I like to shop.
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Come on, baby, get with the times.
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Right?
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So we shouldn't get the parachute pants.
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These are making a comeback, I think.
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Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide.
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B
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In a way, yes. But I think for me, I've always been so intrinsically motivated and that didn't change in this scenario either. It was, you know, I, you know, Michael and I wanted to start a family, you know, after the 20, 22 games closed, that was one of our goals, was to start a family. And from there, you know, we talked about, I wanted to return to hockey. And you know, he said it, I said it, go for it. You know, and I think even back to when I knew I was pregnant, there were two people that three. Sorry, let me go. There were three people that knew I was pregnant. My husband, my doctor and my team doctor. And I played through my first trimester, so I was 12 weeks pregnant my last game. And it was actually really emotional because I remember putting my, my jersey on the laundry basket and I remember saying to myself, like, this could be it. You know, it's in your control to, to make sure it's not. You're going to have to work really, really hard. But just putting that USA jersey down, I was like, wow, is this going to be it? And that was really hard because there haven't been a lot of players who have done it. You know, there was one player who has played in the Olympic games as a mom, you know, Jenny Potter, and she did it with not only one kid, but two kids, like all the power in the world to her. But, you know, so if history repeated itself, you know, there haven't been a lot of players who have made it back, and it's not because they can't. It's because they weren't supported in the effort to do it. And that support has come such a long way. And so with that support, and you know, when, when I, you know, when I found out and when I was comfortable sharing, I called all of my teammates one on one and said, hey, I just want to let you know I'm pregnant, but I'm, I'm going to be back. I'm going to, I'm going to be back. And I, and I can't wait to, you know, share this journey with you again. And so, yeah, it's, it's, yeah, it's definitely, it was definitely motivation, but I think a lot of that motivation came from, you know, within. And it's just crazy to think, like, I've been the only mom to win a gold medal with the U.S. women's hockey team at the Olympic Games. And I know I won't be the last. And that's what makes it so special.
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B
Yeah, I know some women listening to this, maybe not women who are like going to go to the Olympics in women's hockey, but I know that so many women are probably listening to this thinking, like, wow, like I, I can like, do things that maybe I haven't heard of other women doing while pregnant or I can, like, continue life after. I can like, you know, pick back right where I left off after I, like, give birth and after I become a mom. Because I know that there's like this narrative out there that like, oh, once you have a kid, your life ends, or like the way that you think your life ends. I'm like, I don't think that at all. I think it's almost like very important that you just have support around you, which you kind of mentioned.
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Absolutely. And, and someone asked me today, or sorry, someone asked me a few weeks ago, like, what's your best mom hack? And I'm like surrounding him with like the greatest aunties in the world, meaning
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my teammates, like, they love him, they adore, they asked me for Snapchats of him. They, you know, literally when I, in the gold medal game, I couldn't get him on the ice cuz he was
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just so tired, he didn't want to
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come on the ice. And I called in a ringer, Kelly Panic, who's one of his favorites. And I Was like, kelly, I can't get Drew on the ice. Can you come help me? And she comes right to where he was standing and looks up, and he goes right to her, and he comes right down.
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A
So it is. It, you know, I think also, too, like, it's showing my teammates, like, what's possible, too, if they want to start a family, they can start a family and. And continue to play hockey. They don't have to pick between both. And I think I don't. I'm sure you feel this way, but, like, you're so much better, and you're so much more complete of a person being the mom you are, and it makes you better at your job. It makes you better every single day. Because when I come home, like, he doesn't care if we won or lost. Like, he's just like, mom's home.
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Like, and that's all you need to hear. And your brain is like, I thought that hockey game was the most important thing in the world, but really, it's not. Like, you know, it just so.
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B
Oh, my gosh. Yeah, you're. I'm sure you're, like, hearing that is kind of like a gold medal every single day.
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Yeah, absolutely. And, like, you can be great at both. And I think that's the one thing I've continued to say, is, like, I can be a great mom and a great hockey player. And just because I've continued to play hockey doesn't mean I'm not a great mom, because I've heard some of those narratives as well. Like, why don't you put all your time and effort into your. Into your son? And a lot of times I'm like, well, you wouldn't say that to my husband if he returned to the football field. You know? And so it. Trust me, like, he's. He's as loved as. As any child. And so. And his mom's going to continue to. To work full time and be a great mom, too.
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B
Oh, my gosh. And what a role model you are to your son. I mean, he's going to grow up being like, yeah, like, my dad played the NFL, and then he supported my mom through her, like, professional career. And, yeah, like, this is incredible. Like, and I think it's more so, like, should be looked at as, like, a huge positive, which I'm glad that, like, you're helping change the narrative on. With you trained throughout your pregnancy, and then obviously, you went to the Olympics after you had a child. How did pregnancy change the way that you view your body?
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I look at the woman's body as one of the most incredible, magnificent, special things on this earth. Like, I can't believe what my body is capable of after experiencing pregnancy. Like, it was hard there. It's not easy. There's days my clumps of my hair is falling out. My B.O. is like. Like, I never worn deodorant.
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Deodorant before. You know, I can go down the rabbit hole of things that weren't pleasant or pretty or things coming out of every hole in my body that I didn't know existed. But at the same time, I'm like, wow.
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Like, our bodies are incredible. And I just felt so empowered to
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be able to do what I did,
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what my body did, and then also just go back to doing what I did before I had our son. And I just think women are beyond incredible. And to think about. There's a parallel to women's hockey in the sense that I think we've always. For a long time, we've lacked resources, we lack structure, we've lacked support. And I think that's the same for women in maternity in postpartum. I remember going to my postpartum appointment at six weeks and, you know, checked a few boxes, and they said, okay, you're good. I go, that's it. I go, if I broke my finger, I'd have more physical therapy than I did for my entire body that I just went through some of the most traumatic experience that a body could go through. I'm like, that's it. And I was like. And then, you know, I. I sought out a pelvic floor specialist before and after, and. And I was talking to her, and I'm like, wait, it should be mandatory. All women need to do this who experience childbirth. And she's like, yeah, but they don't, Right? Like, it's not. And I'm like, it just opened my eyes to, like, how resilient women are and how we just push through and how we continue to show up and. And succeed. And, you know, I think, like, people in a way, like, write women off when they go through childbirth of, like, oh, they'll be fine in a few weeks. And it's like, you have no idea what I just did. Like, and how hard that was and
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B
how little with a newborn.
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Yes. And how little of support I have to get me back to being me. You know, I'm here. All that matters, you know, is first for what they tell us is the baby, which is. But, like, you have to work on you too. And I hope, like, women really take a step back and recognize taking care of you is also simultaneously taking care of. Of your baby as well.
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B
Yeah, absolutely. What do you think was the hardest logistical challenge when it comes to a professional athlete and a mom? Especially, like, very early on when you're just getting your bearings?
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A
I think early on, the breastfeeding was really hard. And I come from the mindset fed is best, you know, however women decide to, you know, to breastfeed or not, you do what's best for you and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But that was really hard. And when I started to skate and started to work out again, my supply really tanked. And then I personally tanked and I had no energy, you know, and you're. So. That was. That was hard early on. And then I would say from a logistical challenge, it's just, you know, in that first six months of our son's life, he was in Detroit for a little bit, and then he was in, you know, he was in Chicago. Then he went to Detroit, and then he went to Minnesota. And so it's like, you know, the pack and plays and the feeding supplies and, you know, the little toys. I know they don't need much at that age, but it was just kind of the moving around was a lot. And, you know, getting on that first flight's really scary. Things like that. I mean, I know you talked about at the top, but. And I didn't answer it. The, you know, just the logistics of even going to the Olympics. You know, I warned our equipment managers.
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C
I was like, when you open my bag, there's going to be a few packs of diapers in there. Don't be alarmed. Those are mine. They're Drew's. We needed to put them in somewhere, and I had extra space in my hockey bag, and they're like, okay, no problem. And they, you know, they put them aside, which is super sweet.
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A
But, yeah, just, you know, the logistical things of. I remember when I got here to Minnesota, I had to get a crib for him, and so, like, going to Target and I
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C
had to get a
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crib and then to build it, you know, I'm just like, you're just so tired.
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C
And so it was. It was a lot, but it's doable and it's so worth it. Like, I don't know, I would do it all over again.
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B
Viori is an investment in your happiness for our listeners. They are offering 20 off your first purchase. You can. You can get yourself one of the most comfortable and versatile clothing pieces on the planet@vuori.com SSC that's V U O-R-I.com SSC exclusion supply. Visit the website for full terms and details. If you guys are new to Vuori or maybe you've heard about them briefly, let me just introduce you to the most comfortable thing you will ever put on your body. It looks cute. It's designed to look great beyond the gym. So it's perfect for not only gym but also running errands at the office, meeting friends, chasing after your toddler. They have a dream knit fabric. And you guys, when I say these are the softest joggers I have in my closet, they're probably the softest joggers on the planet. It's the Viori's softest premium stretch fabric and here, being almost nine months pregnant, I'm really valuing this stretch fabric. And when it comes to performance, it's very lightweight, relaxed fit, features a full four way performance stretch and when it comes to fitness or lounging, it's great for stretching, lounge and also stylish for every single day wear. Not only being pregnant but also having a two year old toddler. I'm constantly reaching for things in my closet that make me feel put together, look put together, but are also still comfortable and very, very versatile no matter where I'm going that day. And that's where Vori comes in again. Vuori is an investment in your happiness for our listeners. They're offering 20 off your first purchase. You can get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing on the planet@vuori.com SSC that's V U-O-R-I.com SSC Exclusion Supply. Visit the website for full terms and conditions. You guys can break through the busiest time of the year with the brand new Peloton Cross Training Tread. Powered by Peloton iq, it is Peloton's most elevated equipment with real time guidance and endless to move alone or with your favorite instructors. It's cross training reimagined with features designed to help you reach your goals effortlessly. Because I've been loving my Peloton cross training tread so much, I've been running on it every single day literally since becoming pregnant. And I love it so much. Not just because I have really taken a liking to running, but also because the swivel screen I can do whatever workout I want with Peloton. In addition to that, Peloton also helps me achieve more in less time. So with features that help me plan, stay motivated and achieve peak performance, I can let myself run, lift, sculpt, push and go while peloton kind of handles the rest. Peloton IQ provides real time strength coaching as well. So they have a feature like goal setting and weight suggestions so that you're always making new progress. The new movement tracking camera allows peloton IQ to count your reps and correct your form in real time, which takes out a lot of that guesswork so that you can train safer, you can live smarter and make every single rep count. And like I mentioned earlier, there is so much variety that comes with a swivel screen. So you can go on a 45 minute run on the tread or a 5 minute stretch off of it. With one smooth spin of a swivel screen, it offers endless ways to train for a very well rounded routine no matter how busy you are. I'm not kidding, there is a amount of workout that will fit in your schedule when it comes to time. Even like a 10 minute walk, like is something I look forward to doing every single morning. So if you guys are interested in checking it out, you can let yourself run, lift, sculpt, push and go explore the new peloton cross training tread@1peloton.com has becoming a mom changed the way you approach your career too?
- [28:16]
A
Yes. I don't know if you would agree with this, but I think it just, it's provided me with so much patience and perspective in my life of, you know, like I said, the hockey game might have been like the most important thing or I would have thought about that play or thought about, you know, that mistake or overthinking things, coming home. And now I come home and it's like, you know, snack time, you know, nap time, you know, whatever, whatever the,
- [28:40]
C
whatever's on the docket. Like the last thing on the docket is hockey, you know, and it just brings like, and you just have to be patient.
- [28:47]
A
Like I used to be pretty regimented and obviously with skating and working out and training and stuff, I still am, but like, you know, in between those times, it's like, I'm present, I'm with him, you know, I'll get back to you at 8 o' clock after I put him down.
- [29:02]
B
Exactly. Do you, do you look back on your journey, especially postpartum, and think to yourself like, oh, that was the hardest time. And like, what was that? Like, what was the, maybe like the biggest challenge?
- [29:17]
A
I think from an athletic standpoint it was starting to work out against, starting to skate again and doing all of that by myself while watching my teammates, you know, do their thing, you know, in, in market With. With coaches and stuff. And I was kind of by myself. And I think there were times where I was looking to turn to someone saying, like, oh, did. Did you feel this when you started to, you know, get back on the ice? And did you start to feel like this? And they're really. It was hard to find someone to relate to in that way. You know, I come home and tell my husband, like, gosh, like, my. My pelvis hurts a little bit.
- [29:54]
C
Like, oh, you know, do you need anything? Like, you know, but it's just.
- [29:58]
A
It's nice to be able to, like, relate to, like, another mom who may have gone through that experience in some way. So I think sometimes you. I felt a little lonely in the journey for what I was trying to go through. And I think other times it was just some of those sleepless nights, nights where you realize your head hits the pillow and you're like, I didn't eat dinner.
- [30:20]
C
I'm just so tired and I haven't eaten anything.
- [30:23]
A
Like I said, those couple months alone were really, really, really, really hard for me. But, yeah, I. Yeah, I think those were. And like I said, I think just getting my body back, like, I've always been kind of this same shape and size my. My whole life and, you know, just getting that back to where I felt like me.
- [30:46]
B
Yeah. How soon after giving birth did you get back on the ice?
- [30:52]
A
Six weeks. I waited till that six week appointment because I didn't want to, like, bleed any more or make anything diaper, so
- [31:01]
C
I didn't want to wear a diaper with my hockey pants, basically.
- [31:06]
A
But, yeah, it was six weeks. I got back into the weight room, I waited. I got back in the weight room pretty slowly and then got a good foundation in the weight room before I started ramping things up. And then I got back on the ice slowly thereafter. And then my first game back was January 3rd, and that was our first game in the history, which was super cool. And Drew was with me. We had a babysitter come along with. But yeah, I have a video with him where I was like, mommy's going
- [31:34]
C
to play in her first professional hockey game. He's just sitting on the bed like, I'm hungry.
- [31:42]
B
How does this affect me?
- [31:43]
C
Yes.
- [31:45]
B
Not the coolest feeling being like, wow, my body went through all these major changes, and I went through all these, like, emotional, physical, mental challenges and changes. And now, like, I'm still following my dreams.
- [31:59]
A
I think it made me realize women are capable of anything. Like, we are capable of anything we set our mind to. And more and that. That process, that experience, like now that I'm, you know, two and a half years out, looking back on it, like from the very beginning. Well, it's before two and a half years, but just how we really can accomplish anything we set our mind to. And women are just freaking amazing. And yeah, I think, yeah, like I said, you don't have to. You don't have to stop one dream to start another. You can pursue both at the same time.
- [32:36]
B
I love that narrative so much, and I can totally get behind that. And then I have one last question before we jump into some rapid this or that questions. If your son watches your career one day, what is one thing you hope he takes away from it?
- [32:54]
A
Oh, good question, Ali. Oh, man. I think just how I found something I love so much and it changed my life to. To chase it in the way that I have. And I think, you know, our dream for him, people always ask, is he play football? Is he going to play hockey? I'm like, I don't know and nor do I care. I want him to find something that he loves so much that he wakes up every day so excited to do or so exciting to. To want to learn. And I think for both Michael and I, and I'm sure for, you know, you and Isaac, like, that that was us. Like, we just. We woke up every day and we loved our sport. Our parents didn't make us play it. We woke them up asking, asking them if we could play it. And I just hope he finds something he loves like we have in hockey and football. And if that's not in sport, great. You know, if it's in art, I hope he teaches us everything he knows and more.
- [33:49]
C
If it's in hockey or football, we will teach him what he wants to know from us. And if he wants to learn from others, great.
- [33:54]
A
But, you know, I just. It's just how important it is to find something that. That you love so much and that you're passionate about and just the incredible experiences that it can bring you because of that love and that passion.
- [34:06]
B
Oh, my gosh, I love that. I actually. I lied. I do have one more question. Just because I was at the game in Italy when your son caught a puck that came from the ice, which I feel like does not happen very often in a game, and then for your son to be the one to catch it. I mean, obviously your husband helped out with catching a puck, but was that. Did you not look off, like, from the ice and think, like, wait, my son just caught that puck?
- [34:31]
A
Well, so I Saw the puck going out of play, and I was like, oh, no. It's going right where Drew is sitting.
- [34:37]
C
I was not concerned for Michael, although he was a lineman, and if he touches a football, something is horribly going wrong. But I was like, he'll be fine. But I'm like, oh, no, Drew. And then it puck landed, and so
- [34:48]
A
I kind of just stopped watching and got distracted. And then Taylor Heisey was sitting next
- [34:52]
C
to me, and she's like, drew's on the jumbotron.
- [34:54]
A
Look, look.
- [34:55]
C
And so then I look, and I see Michael putting him up like Simba, and he has the puck, and it was the cutest thing in the world.
- [35:03]
A
I have a picture someone sent us,
- [35:05]
C
and Apollo Ohno, the speed skater, like, the greatest. Yeah, one of the greatest speed skaters of all time, is literally like this, cheering for Drew in the background. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. Is that Apollo Ohno in that photo? Like, it was like, it's so cute. If you asked Drew, like, did you get a puck?
- [35:22]
A
He goes, yeah. And I go, what did. What happened after you got the puck? He goes, everyone cheered. And I go, what were they saying? And he goes, drew, Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew.
- [35:32]
C
And then, like, we're in Italy, Ellie. I kid you not.
- [35:34]
A
We're at the Duomo, and someone comes up to us and goes, is that the puck kid? And I was like, michael goes, I'm telling you, I couldn't leave the stadium.
- [35:41]
C
Everyone was literally like, that's the puck kid. That's the puck kid. And then we go down the Duomo,
- [35:46]
A
and we're like, outside in front, and someone comes up to us and goes,
- [35:49]
C
is that the puck kid? I'm like, what? Michael's like, I wasn't kidding. Like, people kept calling him the puck kid. And then his sister and her girlfriend
- [35:58]
A
came a week or came later, and
- [36:00]
C
they brought a sweatshirt that said the puck kid.
- [36:02]
A
Someone made it for us in Chicago.
- [36:04]
C
And I'm like, oh, my gosh. We're really just, like, owning this.
- [36:08]
B
Oh, my God. I'm not kidding. I was at one of the other games, and I think it was the game against Italy, and I watched it with my own two eyes. Someone was like, wait, that's the puck kid? I was like, his mom's on the ice. His mom's playing in the Olympics.
- [36:24]
C
But this.
- [36:25]
A
The sweatshirt he had on, you know, shout out to one of my former teammates, Emily Matheson. She made that for him. She got it for him for Christmas.
- [36:32]
C
I said, emily, you know, I still
- [36:33]
A
have to make the Team, right? And she goes, I have full confidence you're going to make the team.
- [36:37]
C
And it just like, the sweatshirt was
- [36:38]
A
so special because it had Drew and I on the front and then our two dogs, Penny and Blue, and. And then on the back it said Mama 26.
- [36:45]
C
And I think, you know, so often
- [36:47]
A
you see daddy or dad or Dada. Right. In sports jerseys. And so it just really means a lot to see mama and hopefully maybe opens the eyes of others, too.
- [36:56]
B
Oh, I love that so much. And what a cool moment to be like, oh, my gosh, I'm playing in the Olympics and my kid just caught the puck and now he's puck kid. And this is crazy. And like, wow. Okay, let's jump into some rapid fire. This or that. And this will be. This will be fun. Hockey locker room music or mom car playlist?
- [37:17]
C
Mom car playlist. It is way more effective.
- [37:22]
B
Coffee or electrolytes?
- [37:24]
A
Electrolytes.
- [37:26]
B
Sleep when the baby sleeps or finally get things done.
- [37:31]
A
Depends on the day.
- [37:34]
B
I can agree with that.
- [37:35]
C
Yeah.
- [37:36]
B
Which is harder, mom guilt or athlete guilt?
- [37:39]
A
Mom guilt?
- [37:41]
B
Mom strength or athlete strength?
- [37:43]
A
Mom strength.
- [37:44]
B
By far and last but not least, Olympic gold medal or a full night of sleep?
- [37:51]
A
Olympic gold medal.
- [37:53]
B
You're like, I'll sleep when I'm dead.
- [37:55]
C
Yes, that's what I was thinking. The same exact thing.
- [37:59]
B
Where can the people find you on social media?
- [38:03]
A
I'm on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.
- [38:07]
B
Love it.
- [38:08]
A
Yeah. Wait, I have one thing to show you.
- [38:13]
B
Oh. I've never seen one like this ever in my entire life.
- [38:17]
A
Well, you'll see it, and then we'll have to put it on Scotty's neck and Baby 2's neck, so, my God,
- [38:22]
B
they can wear it to come and visit you guys.
- [38:25]
A
We'll come and we'll come and visit you guys.
- [38:26]
C
You're in a much warmer climate. Yeah.
- [38:29]
B
Actually, you don't want to come visit us? We can. We can put our kids up to side by side and we can see who's taller.
- [38:37]
C
Probably your kids.
- [38:40]
B
I don't know. I'm like, my jeans are definitely fighting, but we'll have to see. We'll have to see where they end up. But thank you so much for coming on. I loved having this convo. I love talking to you, and I'm sure so many women can, like, really find your story inspirational in whatever they choose to do after becoming a mom.
- [38:59]
A
Thank you. And thank you so much for having me. It's so great to catch up next time at, like, coffee shop somewhere or
- [39:05]
C
at a house with our children. Running around in somewhere warm.
- [39:08]
B
Palm trees, like, that's what I'm feeling. We're putting it out there. All right, well, thank you guys so much for tuning in. Be sure to tune in every Sunday wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services.
- [39:23]
A
Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.