e028 – The Part-Time Jungle Podcast: Fearless Parenting with Meaghan Mikkelson

Like so many Canadians, Meaghan Mikkelson’s priorities are firmly rooted in a love for her family and teammates and respect for the game. A graduate of The University of Wisconsin’s hockey program, Meaghan led the team to back-to-back NCAA Championships, won the Olympic gold medal for Canada in Vancouver 2010 and followed that up with a win at the 2012 IIHF World Hockey Championships. In Sochi in 2014, Meaghan added an element of hockey toughness to her growing resume. Playing with a broken hand in the Olympic Final versus the USA, she assisted on the opening goal for Canada that sparked the comeback that will be talked about for decades. Meaghan joined teammate Natalie Spooner on Season 2 of The Amazing Race Canada winning an impressive 7 stages en route to finishing second in the finale. They were voted "Canada's Favourite Team" by fans of the number-one ranked show in the country. After Sochi, Meaghan took some time off from hockey to have a baby before returning to the team with the goal of representing Canada in Pyeongchang 2018. She was successful in doing so, and helped Canada bring home a silver medal. Following the 2018 Olympics, Meaghan and her husband Scott decided it was time to add another “player to their team” and Meaghan took another year off to have her second baby. Though it would be easy to put her skates away and retire now, she’s not done yet. With her sights set on the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, Meaghan is facing some of the greatest challenges she has ever encountered in her career as she balances motherhood and career. But that’s not going to stop her.    In this episode: Being a fearless parent, pursuing your goals and your dreams while raising human beings, is hard! Avoid comparisons and judgement, stay in your lane, and recognize the amazing things you are doing and the fearlessness this requires. Self-care and wellness does not involve a one size fits all approach. Do your research, try things out, and see what works for you.  It takes a village, in motherhood, in work, and in pursuing Olympic dreams! It’s important to recognize when and where we need help and to not be afraid to ask for it.    Connect with Meaghan: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikkelson12/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeaghanMikkelson12 * Website: http://www.meaghanmikkelson.com   Mentioned by Meaghan: * The 5 Minute Journal: https://bit.ly/3mTEcbv   On this episode of The Part-Time Jungle Podcast, I had a truly amazing conversation with Meaghan about motherhood, hockey, the Amazing Race Canada, wellness and self-care, her challenges and successes, and strategies that have helped her along the way.    If you prefer to listen, check out Episode 28 of The Part-Time Jungle Podcast. I was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to have this conversation with Meaghan! However, I will admit that I was so nervous but…  this quickly slipped away as soon as we started chatting. Meaghan is down to earth, easy to talk to, incredibly warm and kind, and keeps it real when it comes to the juggle of motherhood and work.  THE JUGGLE Being a professional athlete is a large part of Meaghan’s work and what she does. However, she sees herself as any other mom or any other dad or parent out there. She is trying to balance everything and to do all of the things. Meaghan is trying to be good at her job and also be the best parent s...