Being an athlete is tough enough, but for women, it’s a whole different ball game. While men too, undoubtedly, make sacrifices of their own to excel, women have a lot on their plate, balancing the demands of their careers with many adversities and the challenges of motherhood. For Crystal Dunn, however, it’s a rather a feeling of a rollercoaster, claiming its art of negating things.

“It’s a balance,” said the defender while chatting about managing both soccer and her 2-year-old son with Ali Krieger on ESPN’s Futbol W. “There are days where I’m so energized and then there are days, I’m dragging my carcass into training because I didn’t sleep well, the baby didn’t sleep well, or like just having an off day.”  

Yet, Dunn doesn’t give up on turning morning blues into a productive day as the recent Olympic gold winner focuses on managing herself in the best way possible. “The way I describe motherhood to people is that you’re filled with joy in so many ways but at the same time, you’re exhausted.” The 32-year-old added that there’s a constant feeling of conundrum.

However, at the end of the day, the feeling of being with a child takes all the pressure away. “My son making me laugh every day reminds me that I am so much more than going to work and kicking a soccer ball around,” added the Gotham star. Dunn, who chases players a whole day, when gets home, is often presented with an interesting request, “Mommy, chase me.'”

Of course, a tired veteran can’t chase her little one after a tough training session or a gameday. Yet, for Crystal, it’s a stark ‘reminder’ as in the toddler’s mind, she is not a soccer player, but is rather a mum: “He cares that I’m his mom.” This humbling reality is something Dunn acknowledges she needs, as at the end of the day, beyond being a professional athlete, she is a mother.

While it’s impressive that the defender manages motherhood so well, she admitted to struggling with her mental health.

Crystal Dunn often finds herself ‘struggling’ to find an identity

Aside from talking about the challenges she can navigate through, Crystal Dunn dived into the importance of mental health. While some might believe that the lives of soccer players are more enjoyable than those of regular Joe, the reality is quite different. “There’s so many days in the year I’m just like I’m struggling. Struggling to find my identity as a player as a mom and taking on these new roles and sometimes you get lost.”

It’s undeniable that every soccer player goes through rigorous training sessions to gear up for weekend matches. It’s a cycle of playing, training, and repeating. However, this routine can become monotonous at times. Dunn pointed out that they also face “real-life” challenges, just like everyone else. While there’s a desire to live a simple, normal life, the pressure of performing well for the fans and themselves kills this want.

Be that as it may, it’s clear that the life of an athlete is far more demanding than most people realize, especially that of a woman. Yet, it’s good for someone like Crystal Dunn who manages to juggle all things at once.