How does a first-time mother get back into physical shape, especially in her early 40s?
If you’re April Ross, the grueling path is set: Aim to play beach volleyball in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Ross and her husband, Josh Riley, became new parents when their son, whose first name is Ross, was born in October. For the three-time Olympic medalist and high school and collegiate indoor volleyball All-American, it has been a life-changing transition at age 41.
“Big win this morning using my BabyBjorn (carrier) for the first time,” she said in early December. “I’ve been completely nap-trapped on the days I’m solo, but today I managed to walk the dog, make myself breakfast and a cup of coffee and wash a few dishes between feeds.
“Learning and growing more each day on this mom journey – and big props to Ross and (pet) Roo for cooperating,” she said. “Next up, my six-week check up – (hoping) that I get cleared to work out. Can’t wait to get back to some of the activities I love.”
As the world prepares for the Paris Olympic Games this summer, Ross will be working hard to return to the sand courts. She turns 42 in June and will be 46 when Los Angeles hosts the 34th Olympiad.
“We’ll throw it out there and see what the universe thinks,” Ross said. “I thought 39 was too old to play (in Tokyo in 2021), and we won a gold medal. I’m going to dip my toe back into the sport, so we’ll see what happens.”
While there are men who have competed at the highest level in beach volleyball in their 40s, Ross said “it’s not the same for women than it is on the men’s side and pushing the age barrier,” because men do not go through child bearing.
She has won Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals in beach volleyball with partners Alxi Klineman (gold at the Tokyo Games), Jen Kessy (silver at the 2012 London Games) and Kerri Walsh (bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games).
Ross is the third Newport Harbor product to capture an…
Read the full article here