Balancing life as a mum and high-level sport: Ninon Chapelle's advice
Being a top-level athlete and a mother of two is possible! Ninon Chapelle shares how she manages to balance her sport, pole vault, and her life as a mum of 2 children.
Can you introduce yourself?
"My name is Ninon, I'm 30 years old and I've been a member of the French national athletics team since 2017. I hold the French record in pole vault (4.75m) and I'm also a mum to two little boys, Oscar born in 2021 and Roméo born in 2025.
There's also Axel, my husband and coach for the past 3 years, who was himself a professional athlete before that. We're a team on the track and in life, and that's a real strength when it comes to managing this rather unconventional project.
For the record, I was 3 weeks pregnant at the Paris Olympic Games, so you could say we experienced those Games as a family. A little 3-year-old boy in the stands who was my driving force, and the other one in my tummy who would be the start of new challenges. He was a surprise baby… I found out we were two at the end of the runway the day after my final — it was incredible."
"Actually, I think I quite like telling myself I wear many hats. Depending on the time of day, I'm wearing a different one. It takes a lot of organisation and motivation, but I'm lucky not to have to manage everything on my own. On the other hand, I'm incredibly efficient! I have a schedule planned down to the minute so that I can be available for my children or focused at training."
How do you manage to juggle these two roles on a daily basis?
What are the biggest challenges you face in balancing sport and family life?
"In the end, the hardest part isn't the day-to-day, which is very structured — just like when you're a parent. When I'm at the stadium (at work), they're at school and nursery. In the evening, I'm their mum at 1000%. What takes the most organisation is the training camp and competition periods.
To manage childcare at the start of the season, I put together a calendar that I send to everyone: friends, family… so they know who looks after the children when we go away at the weekend.
Being a parent isn't always ideal for a professional career. I've already spent hours rocking a baby the night before a competition because he was ill, and in that moment I was just his mum, not an athlete resting or preparing like my competitors — but that's what I chose, and it also makes you stronger. You find incredible resources, an unsuspected energy when you become a parent!"
"When you become a parent, you learn to handle the unexpected. I was able to apply that to my practice. When you've known how to do something your whole life, you're capable of doing it well even when you're more tired… We might listen to ourselves a little less, but motherhood has above all been a pause, a fresh start in my career. Having new challenges has been a great source of motivation! It's allowed me to be fully present in what I'm doing when I'm there, like at training for example, because that's a moment just for me."
What does motherhood bring to your sporting practice in a positive way?
What would you like to pass on to your children through your journey?
"First of all, I'd like them to know that they were part of this sporting project. It was inconceivable for me not to include my babies in this life project. I didn't want to feel like I had to stop my career because I had a strong desire for motherhood. So, it takes some sacrifices, incredible organisation, a lot of work to get back to the level after pregnancies, but I have no regrets!
There's never a perfect time in a professional career (regardless of the field) to have children, and I chose this moment with my husband Axel. What we'd like to pass on to them is the drive to push beyond their limits, to give their very best, to believe in their dreams, and whatever they do, we'll always be there for them!"
"It gave me extra strength, because when you come home, whether you succeed or not, life goes on. But my competitive spirit and desire to push myself has never changed — I love it! It was still a concern because there's a big element of risk in my discipline, and yet it hasn't changed my commitment. I wanted to come back, to make my body strong again, and I've actually been working on that for 7 months now. It's a real personal challenge, it challenges me and I love it!"
Has motherhood changed your relationship with sport?
Any advice for those who want to balance passion and family?
"Listening to yourself and allowing yourself some personal time, even just a little, because if you need to live your passion in order to give your all for your children and simply to be happy, that matters."
"I don't think it's selfish to want to fulfil yourself or push your limits as a parent — on the contrary, if you feel good because you're in harmony with everything, you're inevitably more available for the people you love. In my case, I love this role and unlike my career, this one will never end — we're mothers for life!"
"Naturally, they share that with me because I train every day, so sometimes they're at the stadium with us. It's a family adventure and a stadium is a huge playground for kids! Roméo is too young to understand, but Oscar was in the stands for several competitions and he cheers me on (he loves the mascots most of all). A few weeks ago he said to me "Mum, when are you going back to the big competition with the mascots?"
How do your children perceive your sport and your professional career?
What are your favourite Petit Picotin products?
"That's almost the hardest question!
It's a tough choice to make… I'd say the hooded bath towel that I've been using for Oscar for years, the nursery bag has also been an essential in our home! The swaddles are always in the nappy bag, and more recently the bathrobe and the toiletry bag have rounded out the collection.
What's great is that Petit Picotin products grow and live with our children. Everything is so beautiful as well as practical!"
"The first challenge is getting back up to speed and returning to competition after this second pregnancy. I haven't started competing again yet, so for now the idea is to enjoy myself and find my rhythm again. And otherwise, the greatest challenge in life for me will be to support these two little boys as best I can to make them happy and share the values of sport with them."
And personally, I'm embarking on a parental support project alongside my career. It's something I'm passionate about, and it feels wonderful to support others through this period of parenthood — to build connections, to discover oneself and to love oneself."
What are your next
challenges?
the things your little ones say
« Mum, what are the Olympics that sting? (Olympic Games) » - Aurore, 3 years old
« Can I go back inside your tummy? What if I take my shoes off? » - Lissandre, 3 years old
« Mum, I'm on a hanger just like you! » - Jules, 3 years old
AUTHOR
Hello, moi c’est Capucine ! J’espère que cet article vous a plu. Passionnée par la rédaction et spécialisée dans les contenus autour de la petite enfance, je fais partie de l’équipe éditoriale de Petit Picotin. Au fil du blog, j’explore les questions du quotidien des familles pour vous partager conseils, idées et inspirations, en m’appuyant sur des recherches, des sources spécialisées et l’expertise de notre équipe.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
leave a comment