My life has been centered around sports. It is where I have met my closest friends and shaped the values that have made me a successful athlete, student and role model for young people.
You can’t always control the circumstances – only how you react to those circumstances; you can always control your attitude and your effort.
College softball each year reaches new levels of interest.
Being fit and being in the best shape that I can be helps me be the best mom as well.
I had female role models to look up to starting in middle school, athletes like Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm who made me realize that there was room in the world of sports for women. They ignited my dream of becoming an Olympic athlete.
For softball, we need the Olympics. For young girls dreaming of that Olympic dream, that’s where it’s at, and that’s where it all started in ’96 for our sport.
I try to squeeze in a workout whenever I can, even if it’s doing squats with my 7-month-old in the kitchen or jumping on the trampoline with my 5-year-old.
There’s nothing better than working up a good sweat.
It is incredible how far women have come and women in sports have come.
Right now in my career, it’s like I’m having more fun than I’ve ever had, so it’s kind of like, ‘Man, I can’t stop now.’
I realize the differences between my children and use what works for each of them individually.
Softball has given me so much in life. It’s taught me the kind of person I want to be, and given me a sweet sisterhood. It even led me to my husband.
Growing up, I looked up to major league baseball players, and now these young women have amazing, incredible women all across the board, from swimming to gymnastics to softball to basketball.
It is one thing to play for your university. It is another to play for your country.
Although it is disappointing that softball was not reinstated into the Olympics, we are going to continue to keep growing the sport.
I don’t want to be just a face. I want to go out there and prove something on the field.
I try to not be too hard on myself regarding my diet. I’ve always been a workout-to-eat kind of a girl. I like to eat, to say the least.
My family vacations were softball tournaments.
The attention I get has been great. It has opened so many doors for me. It’s nice that people are accepting beautiful women as athletes. It’s encouraging to girls that muscles don’t mean you can’t be beautiful.
Have unconditional love to your children no matter what happens. Give them time even in the midst of this busy life – be one on one with them.
To keep children healty, it’s important to keep them active. Of course you can control what goes into their mouths, but it’s also about putting the active back into family activity. Go outside with them, live in the moment and encourage them. That’ll help you find fulfillment in your life as well.