For decades the terms mother and athlete used in the same sentence were believed to be an oxymoron as centuries of faulty science taught that a woman’s cycle and childbirth made her weak, vulnerable and incapable of physically challenging endeavors. We are all very grateful that these old paradigms are not only fading but getting obliterated by female athletes determined to have it all! For this reason, we want to take a moment and give a massive shout-out to athletic mothers, their supportive families, teams, coaches and the doctors who said, ‘yes you can.’

Serena Williams made a huge, public splash through her vocal pregnancy and come back as she openly shared her journey, complications and fears. This has led to a 5-episode, HBO docuseries that brought the challenges and strengths of pregnancy and motherhood in the world of athletics to a whole new level. Williams tells what many other pro-athlete moms have already experienced as she shares the excitement and concerns of training through pregnancy.

Having a child changes everything in a woman’s body! Hormone levels, muscle tone, processing of nutrients, energy levels and pain tolerance. When the child is born, there is a considerable strain on time, sleep and physical demand, especially if breastfeeding, sorry gentlemen. When they do get back to the gym, there is the matter of child care and the stress of balancing the responsibility to your child and to your dream, but women are doing it!

Here are just a few women who have shown their team, their sport, their fans and their bodies that they can be fabulous mothers and medal winning athletes!

Former American swimmer, Dara Torres competed in five Olympic games and took home twelve medals as well as formerly holding the record in three events. Many of her amazing accomplishments came at 40 years of age, 16 months after having her first child.

Former professional tennis player, Kim Clijsters, from Belgium, is a mother of two and winner of six Grand Slam tournament titles as well as holding #1 in the world singles and doubles in 2003. She won her second US Open title after the birth of her daughter, defended it the next year and took home the Australian Open becoming the WTA’s first mother to be ranked as number one!

We should also give a shout out to tennis greats and mothers Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

To prove that a woman can be a mother and compete in any sport, we show respect to UFC champion Alexis Davis.

U.S. women’s soccer athlete and mother, Amy Rodriguez, trained harder than ever after having her son and came back to win against Japan in the 2015 FIFA World Cup Final.

WNBA player, Sheryl Swoopes, became a mom when it was not a popular thing to do and still returned six weeks after giving birth due to a supportive team and coach.

We could go on and on about the phenomenal mothers who have stayed dedicated to their sport, so let’s be honest and say moms, you are all amazing no matter the level you train at, how many children you have or what medals decorate your mantle. Being a mom is one of the most difficult jobs on earth, and we want to say you all deserve the Gold. Happy Mother’s Day.