You might recognize Hannah Brooks as an Olympic gold medalist, a winner on a popular dance competition show, a best-selling author, or a familiar face in pop culture. In just under thirty years, she has certainly made an impact.
Along with her husband, professional football player Jake Miller, Hannah Brooks-Miller operates a thriving YouTube channel called The Miller Family. They provide a peek into their lives, regularly posting videos about their marriage and parenting experiences. Their family includes their daughter, Mia Rose, born in late 2019, and a lovable dog named Max. This summer, they’re set to welcome a second child, as Hannah announced her second pregnancy in January.
I began following Hannah Brooks-Miller’s YouTube channel when she openly shared her experience of pregnancy loss in late 2017. I was going through a similar situation at the time, and her honesty was comforting. It made me feel less isolated. When she revealed her subsequent pregnancy in 2019, I felt like I was celebrating a friend’s joyful news. Coincidentally, my own rainbow baby arrived just a few months after Hannah welcomed Mia.
To my excitement, Hannah agreed to chat with Home Insemination Kit to discuss motherhood, her pregnancy journey, her due date, and where she’ll be watching this year’s Summer Olympics.
How do you manage the whirlwind of motherhood, especially now with Mia as an active toddler? Are you more of a “go with the flow” mom, or does the high energy of a toddler sometimes overwhelm you?
“Probably a bit of both!” Hannah laughs. “I think that’s true for all moms, right? My perfectionist tendencies definitely come from my gymnastics background.” It’s easy to see why—Hannah won a gold medal on the balance beam at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and a silver medal as part of the women’s gymnastics team.
“As a mother, I’m learning to balance my perfectionism with grace and remind myself that Mia is just a ONE-YEAR-OLD. The world is vast, and she’s still figuring it all out.”
“She doesn’t even understand what I’m saying yet,” she chuckles. “Jake and I are definitely a ‘go with the flow’ parenting pair. We have to be! Mia is her own individual, and she’s going to forge her own path.”
Congratulations on your second pregnancy! How have you been feeling both physically and emotionally?
“I’m feeling much better now,” Hannah shares. “I’m in my second trimester, so I have less anxiety and more energy. The first trimester was tougher this time around compared to when I was pregnant with Mia.”
Hannah faced challenges with nausea and extreme fatigue this time that she didn’t encounter before. “I really didn’t expect to feel so sleepy all the time!” she admits.
How has the pandemic influenced your pregnancy experience? Have you found any unexpected positives regarding parenting during these unusual times?
“Like many, I’ve faced emotional challenges due to the pandemic. It’s nerve-wracking when you’re pregnant,” Hannah acknowledges. “You constantly worry about your health and the safety of your baby.”
However, like many parents, Hannah sees the slower pace brought on by the pandemic as a surprising silver lining. “I’ve been trying to juggle work and parenting, but it’s been wonderful to have so much time with Mia,” she explains.
Hannah is also collaborating with Eggo waffles. “When I told my mom I’d be working with Eggo, she laughed and said, ‘About time!’ I used to eat them every morning—plain waffles with butter and loads of syrup,” she reminisces. “Now, I serve them to Mia with peanut butter and maybe some banana. It’s a healthier option, and you avoid the mess of syrup.”
Hannah encourages parents to “celebrate small victories and embrace the chaos.” What does that mean for you? “I love to remind parents to enjoy the chaos, as it’s something everyone experiences.”
Despite sharing their lives online, Hannah admits that she also struggles with comparison. “It’s frustrating to see families on social media who have a perfect breakfast set up, with everyone looking pristine and everything in order. That’s just not reality!” she sighs. “I’ve definitely cried over this. I’ll wake up early and make a beautifully prepared breakfast, only for Mia to throw it on the floor or feed it to the dog!”
For Hannah, a small victory is simply getting Mia to eat a decent meal, even if it’s not Instagram-worthy. She recognizes that real life is rarely picture perfect.
Of course, we had to ask Hannah about her thoughts on the Summer Olympics, set to take place this summer in Tokyo. “I’m so excited! My baby is due the same week as the opening ceremonies, so I’ll be watching from the hospital,” she laughs. “I can’t wait to support the athletes in any way I can.”
Hannah adds, “I’m definitely looking forward to seeing Simone Biles compete. She’s the best!”
Just days after this conversation, Hannah announced to her followers on social media that she had tested positive for COVID-19. Our thoughts are with her, and we at Home Insemination Kit wish the Miller Family a speedy recovery.
For more related topics, check out our other blog post here. You can also learn more about fertility options at an authoritative source like Make a Mom and find excellent information about pregnancy from the CDC.
Search Queries:
- How to handle toddler chaos as a parent
- Tips for managing pregnancy during a pandemic
- Healthy toddler breakfast ideas
- Emotional challenges of pregnancy loss
- Celebrating small wins in parenting
In summary, Olympic gymnast Hannah Brooks-Miller opens up about her experiences with motherhood and the challenges of pregnancy during a pandemic. She shares her journey of balancing perfectionism with parenting, the joys of spending quality time with her daughter, and her excitement for the upcoming Summer Olympics, all while navigating the complexities that come with being a parent in today’s world.