by Gemma Delaney

Not many people are able to claim the title of Olympian and mother simultaneously. For Helen Glover, however, these descriptions only scratch the surface of her illustrious career. Now, she’s breaking with tradition by aiming for a comeback at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Glover will be 38 when the Paris sporting event rolls out, but she isn’t even remotely fazed. She fully intends to emerge stronger than ever. ‘Why aim for less than your highest potential?’ she muses. ‘Unambitious goals don’t motivate me, so my goal is to be stronger than ever.’

Why the Comeback?

Just a short while ago, Glover was reveling in her time off with her children, Logan, four years, and three-year-old twins, Kit and Willow, dabbling in diverse physical challenges and enjoying her role as a mother. However, with her husband’s nudging, she made a decision to test the waters of professional rowing again.
‘Shifting my perspective about my self-worth helped me make this decision,’ Glovers shares. ‘I thought, “My worth is not tied to winning or losing, but it’s a guide to whether this is the path for me now.”‘
Glover not only participated in the tryouts but also bagged the victory, putting her back on track with professional rowing. But she admits she questioned her decision. To her surprise, the answers lay in her role as a mother.

Transitioning Back to Training

Glover candidly admits that societal expectations influenced her thoughts about her limitations as an athlete once she had children. Mothers weren’t usually encouraged to continue their professional sporting careers, and Glover was a victim of such biased assumptions.
Now, she’s elated that the tables have significantly turned. If a woman on the team decides to have a family, they are given the option to persist with their careers post-partum. That’s a far cry from the days when motherhood meant the end of an athlete’s career.
‘Staying relevant in the sport, regardless of the prolonged breaks due to maternity, offers an empowering choice to women athletes,’ Glover says.

Balancing Motherhood and Athletic Training

Glover understands the importance of striking a balance. Regardless of the glory awaiting at the end of a race, if her training regime doesn’t sync well with her family life, she would prefer to quit.
Currently, she divides her time between motherly duties and two intensive 90-minute water sessions with her team, coupled with weight-training or rowing machine sessions during the afternoon or evening. Her husband, women in the rowing community, and fathers across the board inspire her to keep going.

The Intersection of Motherhood and Athlete life

Did motherhood improve her athletic skills? Glover thinks it at least toughened her up mentally. ‘The challenges I face while balancing motherhood with a demanding training program make me stronger than I was in my twenties,’ she claims.
Glover, now a mother, realizes that she is more than just an athlete – she is a person who loves rowing but doesn’t allow it to consume her life. This perspective offers her peace, enhances her performance, and fuels her passion for rowing.

Pro tips to Stay Fit for All the Supermoms Out There

Glover emphasizes the importance of a strong core for moms – a few minutes of core exercises every day can make a significant difference. She advocates redefining what exercise means to you, encouraging moms to stay active throughout the day, however small the activity.
Additionally, Glover encourages mothers to take advantage of quiet times for quick workouts. ‘Short intervals of exercise contribute significantly to your overall fitness.’ Lastly, she shares a surprisingly simple tip to keep the motivation going, ‘Put on your trainers first thing in the morning. You’ll feel half-way ready to get out and get moving.’
Olympic athlete, inspiration, and an extraordinary mother – Helen Glover reminds us all that passion need not be unidirectional. It can be dispersed, yet potent, capturing every facet of our full and vibrant lives.
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