How MOMentum started
MOMentum was born to address the critical gaps that exist for Canadian athletes surrounding family planning. For too long, family planning was synonymous with retirement from an athletic career. However, when athletes choose to pursue family planning, there is a gap in resources, knowledge, support, and financial security. MOMentum has come together to change that.
Founded with a commitment to holistic athlete support, we created MOMentum to fill resource gaps and share the stories of Canadian athletes as they pursue athletic excellence and family planning.
Our mission is clear, we aim to advance gender equity in sport by providing Canadian athletes with family planning resources, knowledge, and financial support.
A special thank you goes to the Olympic Legacy Grant, for allowing us to turn our vision into a reality.
Our team recognizes that there are significant gaps for Canadian athletes when navigating family planning. These gaps may involve returning to competition after having a child, exploring reproductive technologies like egg freezing, or confronting cultural and policy barriers that hinder inclusion. We also acknowledge that there is a lack of genuine storytelling surrounding these issues and believe storytelling is vital for driving both cultural and policy change.
Members of our own team are driven from their firsthand experiences. Mandy Bujold, Kim Gaucher, and Melissa Bishop all proved that athletes can have children and return to the highest level of sport, but it is not without challenges.
Part of our goal is also to educate and support cultural change around family planning. Although some athletes may not view motherhood as a part of their athletic careers, they may consider reproductive technologies, such as egg freezing, during or after their careers. Other athletes may face fertility challenges after dedicating decades to becoming the best in the world. Often, athletes can feel alone in these challenges. It’s our goal to support these athletes and their reproductive health by providing resources, peer to peer support, and sharing the stories of others with similar experiences.
At MOMentum, we believe in the power of community and collaboration to drive meaningful change. Join us in our mission to provide tools for empowerment to female Olympians and Paralympians, ensuring they have every opportunity to reach their full potential in sports and beyond.
“Seeing my daughter’s smile in the stands after a game was a moment I will always cherish. However, experiences like these often come with a hefty financial burden—extra flights and hotel expenses are particularly challenging during events like the Olympic Games. Our primary aim with these initial grants is to celebrate and spotlight the remarkable women who have returned to the pinnacle of their sport, while also alleviating some of the financial strain they face on their journeys.”
Kim Gaucher, OLY
What do we mean by family planning?
At MOMentum our goal is to support female athletes in all forms of family planning options. By family planning we mean:
- Athletes planning to become pregnant during their careers and aiming to return to competition afterward.
- Current and retired athletes who are experiencing fertility challenges.
- Athletes who adopt or are contemplating adoption.
- Athletes exploring fertility treatments.
- Athletes whose significant other is expecting a child
- Athletes who are becoming step-parents or guardians of children.
Equity
We believe that providing athletes access to family planning is a crucial element in achieving gender equity in sport.
Inclusion
We embrace and support athletes from all backgrounds, including but not limited to 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes, athletes of color, Paralympic athletes, Indigenous athletes, and more.
Honesty
We prioritize openness and transparency when discussing and embracing the realities of family planning.
Person first, athlete second
We provide athletes with tools for empowerment so they may prioritize their personal growth and well-being in addition to their athletic pursuits.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, MOMentum is for any elite athlete who is considering family planning, whether during their elite career or following retirement.
Currently our focus is on supporting female athletes. However, expanding our support to include resources for elite athletes who are fathers is among our organization’s future objectives.
Our first grant application will focus on mothers who are going to the Paris Olympic or Paralympic Games. The MOMentum Olympic/Paralympic Athlete Grant was created to provide mothers who have qualified for and are competing at the Paris Games with additional financial support.
We are committed to supporting as many athletes as possible. Currently, our focus is on the Summer and Winter Games, with plans to expand and assist other athletes through various upcoming campaigns.
Our mentorship program is open to any athlete who feels they can provide support and guidance to athletes who are considering family planning. Additionally, the program is open to any athlete who wishes they had a fellow athlete to talk to for guidance and support surrounding family planning.