The Importance and Significance of the Word Mom

This is a post about the word 'Mom' and the meaning behind the Strong Athletic Mom shirt. This post was written by Strong Athletic owner Nadia Kean and her good friend Katherine Thole in anticipation of Mother's Day 2018. 

Question from Nadia to Katherine: What does the word mom mean to you and why do you identify with the Strong Athletic Woman t-shirt design?

Mom. Does the name define a person? Is it the title, “Mom” or perhaps the inherent responsibility, the lifelong trajectory of a caregiver, or the all-consuming nature of the role, which defines the person? At its foundation, “Mom” is a moniker of strength. A mother is born of the energy she puts out into the world; not the energy she takes. After all, with the act of giving birth, a Mom is performing the strongest, most athletic feat of her life. So, hell yeah, you are a Strong Athletic Mom. And if you haven’t given birth to a child, your strength as a woman is required in a million other ways. You and your strength are NO less powerful or important.

In other words, motherhood would be the ultra-marathon of extreme sports, punctuated with intense and brutal sprinting, glazed in a feeling of occasional endorphin-induced euphoria.

-Katherine G. Thole, guest writer for Strong Athletic

Question from Katherine to Nadia: What does the word mom mean to you and why did you create the Strong Athletic Woman t-shirt design?

Mom. This word means the world to me. When I learn that a person is a mom, I always want to ask her questions about her children and what it's like to be a mom. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the sacrifices and coaching by my own super strong mom Nona. My mom raised my sister and me by herself. She did everything that she could to ensure that we grew up with the same resources as kids with two parents. She poured all of her love, smarts and strength into us and never thought twice about making sacrifices. She bought me roller skates and took me roller skating on Friday nights. She paid for and drove me to ice skating, volleyball, basketball and rowing practice. She thought it was so important that my sister and I grow up active, healthy and with the knowledge that we could do anything we wanted if we were dedicated and committed to our dreams. 

I grew up under the wing of my older sister Lisa who had a massive influence on the hobbies I decided to do. It was my sister Lisa who got me into rowing and also encouraged me to try roller derby. Lisa is now a super strong mama of two. Lisa makes sure that her family stays active. They have a gym day when she and her husband and the kids go and workout and play. They are always outside running around and Lisa is always looking for the next healthy snack to learn how to make the family. 

Many of my best friends are now moms and parents too. They are working women and people who are active and strong, setting a great example for their kids. These are just a few reasons why the word "mom" and what it stands for are important to me and why I created the Strong Athletic Mom design. 

-Nadia Kean, founder of Strong Athletic 

*10% of profits from all of our Strong Athletic Mom and Strong Athletic Grandma shirts are donated to SAFE, an Austin organization that provides housing, healing, and support for individuals and families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation through prevention and intervention services. 

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