“I Found Out…”: MyKayla Skinner Unveils Unheard Details of Becoming a New Mother

MyKayla Skinner left a lasting impression in the women’s artistic gymnastics at the Olympics. After her wedding with Jonas Harmer in 2019, she became one of the youngest married athletes (then 24) in the team while also the oldest member of the American squad at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ahead of the Games, Skinner made her gymnastics retirement announcement to join the University of Utah.

Last year, she announced another chapter of her life—her pregnancy—around the same time last year. Reminiscing the fond memory, the new mother recently shared the exact moment she found out she was pregnant.

Mykayla Skinner shares the special moment

Two months back, Skinner posted an Instagram update captioned, “THE most successful DM slide of 2017?? Happy anniversary babe”. Only over a month after, they both became parents to their daughter, Charlotte Jane, in September 2023. MyKayla shared an Instagram story posing in front of her campaign banner, captioned, “CRAZY TO THINK TWO DAYS AFTER MY FIRST MEET I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.”

Her sweet journey took a full circle today as she attended the ‘Never Give Up Invitational’ a gymnastics meet exactly a year later, only with her daughter this time. Skinner also took control of her health just months after working out with postpartum fitness specialist Cassidy Lance McWherter. Now, the gymnast is actively seen posting her workout regimen in a joyful and self-assured video on her Instagram.

Skinner partakes in a much open engagement about her new milestone, like talking about her experience of “me time” and enjoying parenting online. As she marveled at being a mother to Lottie Jane, she also shared a sequence of images capturing moments of excitement and amazement with the little one.

Whether it was a picture shoot with a Halloween theme or the Nike Tiny, Skinner candidly documented every happy event with her admirers. In contrast, the gymnast also expressed her worries about stepping into parenthood and beyond.

Real struggles of being a mother

Just like any other new parents of firstborn, Skinner and her husband were also unprepared for the difficulties they faced when they brought their daughter Charlotte Jane Harmer home. The gymnast is also a long-time Youtuber and discussed her experience in one of her videos with her husband, talking about nursing, she confessed, “Breastfeeding hurts so bad.”

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Despite being an elite gymnast, Skinner struggled with mounting domestic chores, even with the help of her husband who helped change the infant’s clothing. All the while MyKayla endured soreness from frequent breastfeeding while also sharing how she “…cried so much”  in the first few weeks. Now, having found the balance or sometimes in the middle of it, Skinner continues to cherish both professional and personal life.

Watch this story From Olympic Gymnast to Feeding Baby: The Life of a Coveted Gymnastics Champion as Mother