Leading, Playing, Parenting: Redefining What “Having It All” Looks Like.
How motherhood transformed my leadership and showed me what's truly possible.
There’s no perfect formula for balancing it all, but every day, I’m learning how to make it work in a way that matters.
At Steel, I wear a lot of hats. I’m a director in our region, a coach, and still a player competing in the game I love. But above all of that, I’m a mom. And instead of those roles competing with each other, they’ve started to strengthen one another.
Motherhood didn’t take me away from leadership; it made me better at it.
Being a mom has sharpened my perspective. It’s taught me patience in moments that require understanding, empathy when players or coaches are struggling, and the ability to lead with both strength and care. It’s helped me prioritize what actually matters. When you’re responsible for shaping young lives—both at home and on the field—you lead differently.
And maybe most importantly, it’s given my “why” a whole new meaning.
I want my daughter to grow up seeing what’s possible. I want her to know that she doesn’t have to choose between being present for her family and chasing big goals—that she can lead, compete, and take up space in any room or on any field she walks into.
Because the reality is, sports—especially at leadership levels—are still male-dominated. And while that can be challenging, it’s also an opportunity: an opportunity to show young girls in our programs that they belong here too, that their voices matter, and that they can be decision-makers, leaders, and role models in this game.
Representation isn’t just important; it’s powerful.
Every training session I lead, every game I coach, every moment I step onto the field as a player—I’m aware that someone is watching. Not just my athletes, but my daughter. And if she sees me showing up fully in all of these roles, maybe one day she won’t question whether she can do the same.
Maybe she’ll just believe it.
Having it all doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly. It means embracing the chaos, finding joy in the overlap, and leading with purpose through every role you hold.
For me, being a mom isn’t separate from being a leader in soccer; it’s the reason I am the leader I am today.
