“I thought juggling a soccer ball was hard!” exclaimed two-time Olympic gold medal soccer superstar and mother of three Mia Hamm as she accepted the “Resident Mom of the Year” award, celebrating exceptional mothers and presented by Residence Inn by Marriott. These days it’s not the soccer ball she’s juggling, but the equally demanding needs of a busy family, while heading up the charitable foundation she started over a decade ago.
“I know what it’s like to raise a family while working, multi-tasking and traveling,” says Hamm. After retiring from pro soccer in 2004, she settled with her husband, former major league baseball player Nomar Garciaparra in California, where they are raising seven-year-old twin daughters and a two-year-old son. Adding to her busy schedule are frequent public appearances and speaking engagements on behalf of the Mia Hamm Foundation, dedicated to bone marrow research (her brother died of complications from a rare blood disease), and raising funds and awareness to develop greater opportunities and gender equality for women in sports.
“Our crazy schedules can make any mother feel pulled in a million directions. I’m always worrying about getting enough exercise and staying healthy while I’m traveling,” says Hamm. The former world-class soccer forward (she also won the women’s World Cup in 1991 and 1999), who was named one of the all-time greatest female athletes by ESPN, considers fitness and exercise crucial in her life. “Exercise is how I get the energy to stay fit and focused for my family,” she explains. “Being fit helps women to be better moms, co-workers, and partners.”
Trying to inspire and promote fitness into healthy lifestyles, Hamm recently designed two quick and easy-to-follow exercise programs for moms-on-the-go. The ten-minute routines are effective, energizing, and don’t require special gym equipment. She also encourages parents to exercise with their children to stay healthy and set a good example. “Get outside and get active with your kids. Its fun–and its a great way to spend time with them.” Now that’s a winning goal.
