AUTO-GENERATED TRANSCRIPT

Brianna Battles  00:01

Welcome to the Practice Brave Podcast. I am the host Brianna Battles, founder of pregnancy and postpartum athleticism, and CEO of Everyday Battles. I’m a career strength and conditioning coach, entrepreneur, mom of two wild little boys and a lifelong athlete. I believe that athleticism does not end when motherhood begins, and this podcast is dedicated to coaching you by providing meaningful conversations, insights and interview topics related to fitness, mindset, parenting and of course, all the nuances of pregnancy and postpartum, from expert interviews to engaging conversations and reflections. This podcast is your trustworthy, relatable resource for learning how to practice brave through every season in your life. Hey everyone, welcome back to the Practice Brave Podcast. Today, I am so excited to have Jazzy Jones here, and we’re going to be talking about her experience as a bronze medalist at the 2026, Winter Olympics for bobsled. And she is a mom, so we know that getting the Olympics is an incredibly big deal, but doing it as a mom comes with so many extra layers, and I’m so excited to share her story. So Jasmine, thanks for being here. Thank you for having me absolutely so give us a little bit of your background you haven’t always been a bobsled athlete. What got you to this point? Right?

Jasmine Jones  01:27

So my background is track and field. My senior year of college at Eastern Michigan, Lana Myers Taylor reached out to me my senior year, and from there, I didn’t know what was next. I wanted to try to go pro in track and field. Then she reached out and had an opportunity of trying out for bobsled. So from there, I was really influenced by my coaches, then to go and just get out my comfort zone. And it’s crazy to think that I’ve been doing this since, oh my gosh, 2018 and finally getting to this stage. And you know, I’ve been working towards it for a while. And you know, covid happened in 2020 And around that time, also became pregnant, and I just wasn’t sure what I was going to do. But I feel like, you know, maybe this is the right time to have a child. Like, you know, things happen. I know. I didn’t want that to deter me at all. And then I had my daughter born in February 2021 and came back full swing as much as I could in like July 2021, so it was crazy.

Brianna Battles  02:25

Yeah, that is a really crazy turnaround. So before we get into talking about pregnancy and your run the Olympics, talk to me about the pipeline of track and field athletes to bobsled, for those that are not really familiar with the sport, like, how, how does that? How do they complement each other, and how? Why do we see that happen kind of consistently? Sure, it’s

Jasmine Jones  02:47

definitely a speed aspect. You definitely want to have, you know your sprints going in and as well as strength. So they definitely look at, you know, how fast you can run a 30 time, how far you can do a broad jump. We used to be able to do med ball toss as well, just to see how far that goes. Just tells, you know, elasticity, as well as just strength, especially in the hips, that really correlates into pushing a sled. And just overall track athletes to have a good idea of going in of like, warm up time and trying to figure those things out. But then even other random sports, like we had a swimmer, which is crazy. I’m like, it’s just insane. But for the most part, a big portion of track athletes can correlate of running from a track on the ice, yeah, absolutely.

Brianna Battles  03:31

Well, it’s so cool to see that. What made that really appealing for you, going from track and field to bobsled? Like, what was that journey like?

Jasmine Jones  03:39

Oh, that journey. It was, it was tough because you have so much, you know, regular raw talent from coming out of blocks and using your arms to go into a bob set where it’s like you’re not exactly using your arms, but more of the bottom, you know, strength of like your legs and your hips and everything. So just trying to understand that fully technique was pretty challenging in itself, and it definitely takes a little while to get a specific techniques that works with your body type.

Brianna Battles  04:07

Now, did you do it like, solo at first, and then you got partnered? Like, what was that like, figuring out the best dynamic for your performance?

Jasmine Jones  04:17

For me, I strictly came in knowing, like trying to be a brakeman. So they put me in the backseat. And, you know, throughout that 2018 into 2019 I was solely focused in the backseat. And then they said, Well, why not we try you in the front? And this is right whenever mono Bob’s getting introduced. And I know they wanted to try to incorporate me into that as well as, you know, I’m fast, I’m strong, and I can learn at a decent pace. And I tried, you know, piloting school in 2019 of like that April, and it, it was fun, but I was crashing a lot, and it was just too much going on, like getting down. I was great. And then the coaches, I’m like, I’m overstimulated with information. And I was like, I just take them to the backseat. And that’s the main thing that like cared about going forward.

Brianna Battles  05:03

That’s so interesting. So a lot of people listening are not super familiar with bobsled, and I’m sure you’ve had this conversation many times, but can you give us a big picture overview of what goes into bobsled?

Jasmine Jones  05:18

It’s so much you can think like, it’s like a, it’s like a blue, blue collar type of sport where, you know, it’s you, you have your pilot, you have your teammates. You have to do preparation into, you know, the sled. You have sled work to do. You have equipment to take care of, your sanding runners, which is on the bottom of the sled. So all of this, like, you know, handy work is from you something’s going on, you have to fix it. You’re also traveling week by week. You’re in a new place. You’re traveling, you know, every week or so. So, for example, in a perfect week, you get somewhere on a Monday, you’re sliding on a Tuesday. And then you’re also training at the same time. You’re doing your weight lifting days, at least two days a week. And then you’re standing around sliding again on Thursday for like, mono Bob. And then Saturday comes. It’s mono Bob race. You’re still doing work. You’re the one handing, handling the sled and everything, and making sure the pilot’s taken care of and then you race the next day. And then that following day, you still pack and leave, and that’s just a continuous cycle.

Brianna Battles  06:24

Yeah, and is there like a season for that, or is this something you’re trying to do pretty frequently throughout the year?

Jasmine Jones  06:30

So you definitely have an off season. Offseason, kind of peaks around March to about September, and then you have push championships and that kind of entails of where you get to go and what you qualify for. So you can qualify for a World Cup season, you can qualify for NAC season. And, you know, the highest level that you want to be on is World Cup, and NAC is a lot more for, you know, developmental or even trying to get points to make the World Cup team. So that entails from, I would say, roughly November to about February.

Brianna Battles  07:02

Okay, so now I want you to talk to me about covid comes around and for you as an athlete, did that seem like this is my opportunity to become a mom without it taking away from my sport? Or was there still like, was there any hesitation there with your life as a professional athlete and the decision to become

Jasmine Jones  07:21

a mother, oh my goodness. I was just coming back from the Europa Cup, and it was my first time in Europe. And now I’m really getting into a taste of this sport. I’m like, Man, I’m really enjoying this. And, you know, say I was young, things happen. And you know, whenever that conception happened, and finding out that I was pregnant, I was like, Man, I just, I don’t know, and I really, like, you know, evaluated everything. And I was just like, you know, I believe that, you know, this is the child that I want to have. And, you know, talking to teenage of mine, I’m like, Well, you know, it is covid. I don’t know what all is going to happen next. So I was like, You know what? Let me just take this time and really prepare of having a child. So, yeah, just, I don’t know it was crazy, and I was just like, You know what? Like this happened? I need to be ready to step up Absolutely.

Brianna Battles  08:12

And so what was your pregnancy like? I know pregnancies and postpartum during covid was already a unique experience, but for you, and again, your career as a professional athlete, what was that season like? What was your training like? How did you approach it?

Jasmine Jones  08:29

Oh my gosh. I know I talked to Alana about it, and it’s crazy, because previously, she sent me different exercises to try to do as well through y’all’s Instagram. So I’m like, All right, so I’m trying to, like, still keep active at the same time, but I’m also working. I was a full time server at a restaurant, and just overall, my journey like I enjoyed it. I enjoyed, you know, being pregnant. I didn’t really have crazy things happening. I wasn’t sick, and I was just, like, really, just taking in the whole experience. You know, throughout the whole time. I was still a single parent throughout the whole time, and my main rock that I had was my mom. So, you know, there was times where she would be with me. I’m trying to go do a random workout and trying to figure out, you know, what I can do and how much weight I can carry, and just trying to make sure I’m staying the path. And she understood that I still want to go back to bobsled, so yeah, that whole journey was just crazy. And then from me working so much and being on my feet, I did end up having preeclampsia, and had to deliver three, three weeks early as well. Okay, and

Brianna Battles  09:34

what was that like for you? I mean, I know it’s when you’re like, a healthy, active person, and then you’re like, what? Why am I having this, you know, sort of complication, or things aren’t as straightforward as I think sometimes we expect them to be. You’re a healthy, active, really athletic person.

Jasmine Jones  09:53

Oh my gosh. I was so scared. Like, already know, some things were going on with, you know, getting your checkups, and they were. Talking about the fluid counts, and I was getting worried. So I’m like, Man, I need to do better. I came in for that, you know, appointment. Then that’s when they said, like, for clamps. And I was just confused, like, Well, okay, how do you cure that? And they’re like, Well, you have to have the baby. And I said, since when? Yeah, it’s right. I was like, right now. I’m like, it’s February. I’m not due till March. They said, well, that’s how did you think you were gonna have this baby? Like, I don’t know I was waiting till I get there, but just that experience I was, I was really nervous. I just wanted to make sure that I was still going to be healthy and fine as well, as, you know, my daughter too. And just overall, I was, you know, blessed to have such great bedside manner from my nurses and my doctors as well. They truly made sure that I was being taken care of during that whole time.

Brianna Battles  10:47

Absolutely well. I’m so glad you had the kind of support that you know is so necessary, especially when you’re going into it feeling like really just kind of unprepared. You know, you’re hoping that this baby was going to come a few weeks later, or assuming that would happen. And so going in under kind of an emergency situation is intimidating for especially for a first time mom, but in general, it

Jasmine Jones  11:09

was scary. I just I was crying because I was like, Mom, no. She was like, it is fine, because they wanted to get me in as soon as possible and start that whole process of, you know, getting me dilate and everything, and starting that process, and I was like, Can I eat? I was more obsessed with Can I eat, because I heard horror stories that people could need. I’m like, please give me a sandwich, something.

Brianna Battles  11:30

Need some fuel for this kind of event. Oh my gosh. So then how was how was labor, how was delivery? What was that your your process? Like, there,

Jasmine Jones  11:41

yeah, yeah, um, labor, delivery, it wasn’t as bad. It’s so crazy because it feels like it was forever ago, even though my daughter just turned five. And, you know, looking back, I mainly had my mom in that room with me. I truly, you know her, having her there with me meant the absolute most, where she just really had me dialed in. She had me like, making sure you’re breathing, making sure that I was truly like, understanding what’s about to happen, and I’m preparing my body in the perfect way. So my labor and delivery, it didn’t take super long, like I would say, I know I started the process maybe early in the morning, and my dog was born about one o’clock, and she was tiny but mighty. She was perfectly fine. Came out about five pounds, and she was still fine. She didn’t have to go to the Nikki or anything like that. And for me, I was just still bedridden. I had to get epidural during that time because my oh my gosh. It was just, I forget what. It’s been so long, but so much was, so much was happening. They’re like, you have to get epidural. And I was like, don’t be a hero. If you have to get it, you have to get it. And I was like, All right, give it to me. And even then, I had a really good anesthesiologist, and everything was just really quick and easy with that. And, you know, just being in the bed, and mainly just having my mom there with me, and then at the time after she was born, I had a company like one person else that was there to help me with the baby. But that turned out to be a whole disaster, to where my mom had to leave because they only could have one person in there. And I called my mom, and I was just like, You need to come back in here, because this person needs to leave, like you’re I’m getting no help. I’m calling the nurses because, you know, having epidural, you can’t walk, you can’t do anything. And I just like, that was probably the once and only time, like, when I was expecting to have help, where I felt diminished, like, as a first time mom, where I was just like, and that was really like, sad. And I knew my mom felt that, and she made her way quick as possible the the next day. And like, let’s, let’s get out of here so I can be under her care.

Brianna Battles  13:48

Oh, yeah, no, moms, never stop momming, and I love that you were able to have her with you through that process so intimately. Like, what a special like, what a special moment for all of you. Like, women are so powerful, and that’s such an intimate moment to have your mom there as you’re bringing your daughter into the world. Exactly.

Jasmine Jones  14:07

I was just blessed. She cut the cord and everything. I was like, it was like, certain times where I’m trying to breathe, and she would have her comical moments where she was like, What are you doing? I don’t know. I thought I was breathing. Am I not?

Brianna Battles  14:21

Well, my gosh, I love that. So you you were able to have your daughter, and then what was postpartum like for you know, you had your mom as your support unit, but going home learning to be a mom. And obviously, when you’re a high level athlete, we assume that we can kind of do all the things. And so it’s hard to be in a different or more vulnerable season where you are a bit more reliant, or your body isn’t quite as capable as you’re used to. It being,

Jasmine Jones  14:53

oh my goodness. I felt like, right, you know, getting home, and I said, All right, let’s come up with a system of excuse me. Karen. You know, for my daughter, and also starting to get back into the gym. So I’m looking at different exercises. I’m like, All right, I need to get the wrap around, you know, my stomach so I can start that, you know, diet, cheese, breast. Time to start coming back in. And from there, I was just like, I need to start doing something. So immediately I’m back in the gym, like, it’s right down the street, and I’m just in there decent amount of time, whenever I can, whenever my daughter sleep, or my mom says she can handle her and I was trying everything. I was just doing some, oh my gosh. I started off with, like, sled pulls and different things. I was talking to my coach down there. I said, What do you think I need to incorporate to make sure I’m ready? Because now it’s Olympic year. It’s, you know, going into the 2022 Yeah. And I’m like, I need something to make sure I’m getting prepared to go into Olympic year. So, and he was trying to remind me, like, you can’t rush. And I feel like, on my part, I definitely rush myself, because I felt like I was on the ball trying to catch up and from there at the same time, even, like, breastfeeding too, and trying to make sure I’m eating and breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is hard. It was, it was tough,

Brianna Battles  16:07

yeah, oh, I agree. So were you, like, you had your daughter, and then you were thinking, I want to make a run for the Olympics.

Jasmine Jones  16:14

Yes, that whole time where I’m like, You know what? I need to give it a go. This was my main goal. This is what I had before Jade, and I need to continue that. So going into that of just, you know, doing the most of working out and everything, and at the same time, I’m also enjoying my time, you know, with my daughter, since she’s so new, and we’re traveling, we’re seeing friends. My oh my gosh. I’m like, how old I turned I think was my 25th birthday. I spent it with, you know, my daughter, Jade, and a good friend of mine as well. Went to go see her. And now it’s like, July. I’m like, and everything’s starting to be sped up with bobsleigh, because during that season they had, they had so many things early, like our push championships was early team camp. So I’m like, so now I’m trying to hurry up. And I’m like, All right, now I need to drive to Lake Placid, New York, and she’s four months old, so I’m leaving her with my mom at this time to make a whole run out there.

Brianna Battles  17:10

So how many so she was four months postpartum, and you’re trying to make a run for the 2022, Winter Olympics, right? Yes. So how long did from being postpartum, was it for you to have to kind of be in your peak shape for that opportunity?

Jasmine Jones  17:29

Oh, my goodness, I would say definitely not four months. Because I definitely had some, some tears in my legs, where I was like, I can’t, and then I feel like, for me, I fully didn’t feel like I was getting back to who I was until November, at least November, because I did a couple races in Park City, and from there, like my push times were decent. I said, Okay, I’m starting to feel back to my athletic self, and I feel like I can finally start providing the times that’s needed, because I know I was doing any C and we’re also battling with trying to qualify a third sled to go to the game. So I’m like, you know, I may not be on those two, but I could potentially try to get a minute on this sled. So I felt like I had a shot. I was like, you know, I can still make this a possibility and a reality. And, you know, continuing from November and then December, we also had more races and like Placid, and I’m starting to feel more of myself. I’m being more active. I’m not feeling as, you know, tired, fatigued. I’m not feeling as drawn out. And at the same time, also, I’m not breastfeeding anymore because my supply dried up as well. So I’m like, so I should have all these things going for me. But even going into, you know that Olympic 2022, whenever they named the team, we weren’t able to qualify a third sled. They only took two sleds, and during that time, they can only take a certain amount of people. So then from there, I understand, I said, All right, like, you know, I didn’t make this team, but now I need to start preparing for the next four years.

Brianna Battles  18:57

Yeah, and I mean, that’s you sacrificed so much so early on. And I want you to tell me, like, physically, do you feel like your body trying to, like, push to qualify? Did you experience any symptoms or injuries or like, setbacks along the way that you kind of just had to, like deal with because you were trying to push for that timeline. Like, what was that like?

Jasmine Jones  19:22

Oh, my goodness, definitely, definitely rushed too much to where, you know, physically I should have been. I should have took more time. Definitely felt the injuries where I’m trying to, you know, move my body and sprint so much, where I haven’t sprinted as much. And from there I was getting, you know, mid grade tears my thighs, and I’m getting wrapped in trying to keep pushing, and even in September, where I was just like, I physically just can’t. And I truly felt that in talking to my mom, because she didn’t understand at the time, like, but you’ve been trained. I’m like, but you don’t understand. I I just had Jade. I’m. Trying. My art is I’m trying my best, and so far, it’s ending up with me tearing my body apart. So and going into even that race in November, I was very nervous, where I was like, I just hope I’m not tearing anything. So then I had to relearn how to re strengthen my quads, essentially, because I feel like that was the most muscle group area that I was using to spring. So I definitely had to relearn different strength areas and start doing more core. And even during this whole time, I still didn’t understand, oh my gosh, what’s the word? Because now I start to do it. I swear the mom brain still sticks in to this day. I feel you. It sticks in, but trying to incorporate more core exercises that I do now to this day to where I should have been doing before.

Brianna Battles  20:50

Yeah, it’s hard, because I think when you have a timeline and you’re a professional athlete, you’re working towards this one, like one that day, or for this peak at a certain time, it’s impossible to not rush the process. Like you have to rush the process because you’re like, you try so hard to be fully ready. But with that, and why I like having these conversations with athletes like yourself, is like this behind the scenes of trying to make this run and pushing does not come without some kind of consequence or sacrifice, like something has to be sacrificed, and sometimes it’s our bodies and injuries, sometimes it’s the mental health experiences along the way. And then on top of that, just the mental load of motherhood, like you’re not sleeping, your body’s been changed, your body’s recovering. You’re just, you’re not operating at your normal, like Athletic Foundation, but then we’re put a lot of pressure on ourselves to operate at our normal levels. And it’s just like this hard balance of trying to push but not having the foundation to

Jasmine Jones  21:55

push from exactly no that’s definitely it. And, you know, trying to push so much, and then even going into the new quad, 2022, and then now I’m like, Well, now I need to build back up. I have time, but also I know I need to start proving a point. And oh my gosh, from there, and I was started working a new job, and also moved away from my mom. So I was balancing new job. I’m in a new place. I have Jade. I’m a little bit farther away from family. She has to go to daycare, and it was just, oh, if people only knew how much I was going through. Where I’m dropping her off, taking the bus. I come home, I need to train, but daycare is closed, so I would literally take my daughter, Jade with me and run in the parking lot. I just put her in the car, put her in a car seat, I just run in the parking lot.

Brianna Battles  22:46

It was insane. And so at that point, how old was she? Like, when did you start after not making the team? And then trying to say, All right, I really want to make a run for this next cycle. Like, how old was she when you when you guys were doing that one?

Jasmine Jones  23:00

About 12 months from her being 12 months to about, I would say, before the season started, be roughly, like 18, like that August time, yeah, I was focused on, you know, trying to really balance of, you know, I really want to make World Cup this season. I feel like I really have a chance. And, you know, with Jade, I was just like, Come on, I’m just taking her with me, like we’re doing a running the parking lot. We’re going to go to this track up the street at this high school. And I would bring her, like, random toys for her to play with, and I would just run around the track, do whatever type of workouts I can. And at the same time, I really felt like my mental where I was like, Can I really still make a run for this? Because I’m trying to balance so much, and then at the point I’m done, I’m like, well, it’s 630 it’s getting close to bedtime. I have eight. I know she has an eight. And at the time, like when I was working, it was just so much where the money that I wanted is not great, but I’m trying to make it work, and paying for this apartment. And from there, I was just like, I just gotta keep going, hopefully something you know will shake and you know, finally going into that push championships in August. Now she’s, like, 18 months, and my mom, like, took her for me again, so I can focus on this, and I was able to make the World Cup team, make national team.

Brianna Battles  24:26

That’s amazing. And this is, these are the stories that I think aren’t told, like, what goes on behind the scenes for you to be working as a single mom without a lot of support at that time, and to have her in daycare and then still try to fit in your training, and it’s late and she’s still little. And I think a lot of times people think, Oh, you guys just train all day. You know, you just, you just get to, like, train all day. But that’s not the reality for so many Olympians, especially mothers, because it’s not, I think when you’re prefetch. Animal athlete, there’s an element of, like, yes, you have to be selfish, because you’re prioritizing your performance. And, like, a lot of things kind of have to revolve around you. But when you’re a mother, it has to extend beyond you, too, and that’s a huge sacrifice to make. Oh, for sure,

Jasmine Jones  25:19

it was. And like going into that first World Cup of the new season, the 2022 and I was doing decent in my races, not too bad. So now I’m showing that I have potential of continuing and making the games. And then from there, I started figuring out, you know, I need to provide a better way of life for me and my daughter. And from there, Kelly Curtis, I was talking to her, because she was in the Air Force and did W cap. So I’m like, I want to do W cap, because you just train like how. And she explained to it, and she was like, Do you want your life to change? I’m like, Girl, Yes, I’m ready for my life to change. I need to change. I’m trying to do everything at once, and something has to change. So, you know, talking to her, and, you know, getting everything in a row and talking to, oh my gosh, my soup now, but Mr. Phil Sal and, you know, getting everything corporate, of getting me integrated into w cap, and basically what that is, it’s a world class athlete program where, essentially, you join the military, but they also allow you to do your sport, and that’s what you that’s your active duty, that’s what you get paid to do. And, you know, I was blessed to be able to get in that. So I’m like, I’m making a way. I’m making a difference about time, yeah, so I was really happy to make a new

Brianna Battles  26:34

way. So what was that experience like then?

Jasmine Jones  26:39

Yeah, so towards the end of the season, you know, my mom had Jay, then came back, and then I was starting to go to MEPS, get everything done and get my ship date. I shipped out in April of 2023, and my mom, she knew I love my mom so much because she knew exactly like the plan, like, this is the plan. This is what I’m doing. You know, Jade’s gonna be under your guardianship while I’m gone, and from there, she understood that. And, you know, I went to basic, and I went to tech school, and even from basic, when I graduated that end of May to early June, my mom came out as well as a friend of mine from college, and she brought Jade, and they were able to, like, tap me out at graduation. And I was so happy because I was remembering that I’m doing this for her. I’m trying to create, like, you know, better stability for her. So got to see her for a couple of days, and then I had to go to tech school, and I didn’t get out till about July 26 of 2023 so I was going from April to July, and then finally got reunited, and my mom and Jane picked me up from the airport, and I was like, All right, I’m back for for a long time now.

Brianna Battles  27:48

Wow, that’s incredible. And again, I can see why you and your mom are so close, and why just your your group of three, you know, being able to rely on rely on each other through those seasons to create a better, a better life for yourself and your daughter. And having the support from your mom is so special. You are incredible. What you’ve sacrificed in so in, like so many ways, it’s just, it’s really inspiring to hear so thank you so much.

Jasmine Jones  28:17

Shoot, thank you. It’s just, it’s crazy looking back at it because, you know, it’s funny how everyone’s like, you know, you do have a story. I look back, I’m like, I did go through that stuff. I just like, it’s crazy, think, compared to, you know, where we’re at now, to, you know, working my way up to this point, and it just truly, like, amazes me. And, you know, look back at Jade, I’m like, girl, you just don’t know. And that’s good that you don’t know?

Brianna Battles  28:40

Yeah, no, it is. It’s incredible what mothers will sacrifice to give our children, like, a better life. And you’ve, you’ve accomplished so much while still sacrificing so much time and effort and energy, like so much, physically, mentally, so much, and you’ve still been able to be incredibly resilient and successful.

Jasmine Jones  29:05

It’s wild. So I’m just truly thankful and been able to keep up with it for, you know, this many years. And my mom, that’s been helping me with Jade, have taken her during the seasons and allowing me to focus on bobsled, because she knew that. You know, this is the end goal the 2026, Olympics is, you know, ultimately my goal in for me to have the path of, you know, not solely just being a mom and not solely just being athletic, but having both at the same time.

Brianna Battles  29:33

Yeah, that absolutely coexist. And they coexist with a lot of other elements involved too, exactly. So it’s definitely, yeah. So what was the road to the Winter Olympics? Like, what was that lead up, like, both as a mom and as an athlete?

Jasmine Jones  29:50

So that road, um, shoot, it was crazy. Like, I knew that off season going into the Olympic year. I was like, I’m feeling now. I’m feeling really good. I’m. Feeling like I’m getting right into my peak and, you know, talking to my strength coach and have a conversation with him. And at this time, Jay’s been incorporated in, you know, her school and everything, and she’s taken care of. So I just felt like everything lined up so well, like, during that summer, I can focus, you know, on being in the weight room and even times where, whenever there’s no school, or like a holiday, Jade can be with me and be in the office there. And, you know, they’re perfectly okay with that, where I’m, like, she’s in the office, she has her iPad, she’s hanging out, and she knows, like, now, like, Oh, we’re going to the training center. And she loves going there. She loves, you know, being with, you know, my teammates in even during the summer, there’s times when I need a break, and they definitely look out for me and give me that break. So being able to have that time to myself as well really mattered this summer, and just taking her with me to places and just truly, like, still maintain that bond. I’m like, You know what? Let’s, let’s just drive somewhere and, like, went to Albany, it’s about two hours away from, like, Placid, and just had a day. So definitely had that balance in the summer of, you know, gearing up for the Olympics and remembering my home base, and, you know, going into that, I had her watching everything our push Championships have different days, so certain days she’s at school, so I’m dropping her off super early in the morning. I’m like, I gotta go do some things. You understand when I get back and, you know, being able to win push champs, and then come back, and then she’s with me at the Ice House for combo push champs, and she’s watching, and she’s trying to mimic everything that I do. And it just reminded me of so much of, you know, my reason why I’m doing this, and, you know, doing well in the combo push champs, and then going into the season before we have our preseason in Park City in Utah. And I was like, Well, I don’t want to just send her away just yet. So she came with me to Utah while I’m sliding. So I was able to stay with Alana, and we were having a nanny at the same time to watch both of our kids going in

Brianna Battles  32:02

that’s so powerful, like women supporting women is especially at that level, and that that depth of understanding is so special.

Jasmine Jones  32:12

It was, it was nice. It was a time. And, you know, I love whenever Jane, because she’s been around ease boys before, Nico and Noah, and just having her incorporate it with you know, her kids has definitely been nice, because Alana was one of the people that, like showed me about having a kid and doing this at the same time. So it’s just been like crazy thinking like, wow, look at our kids playing together. Like, who would have thought? And then being in Utah and having that taken care of, we’re sliding and then I’m seeing her in the afternoon. So I definitely felt glad to have her with me in that preseason, because we flew out to Europe that early November. So I know this was like the last bit of time that I can get with her while I go away for some months.

Brianna Battles  32:54

Wow. I’m so glad that you had her as a mentor, too. It sounds like she’s just been able to, like, breathe life into you from the beginning, and like, through this whole journey,

Jasmine Jones  33:06

she definitely has where it’s so funny, even on Instagram, where I see things about, like moms being tired, and I send them to her, and I’m like, so that I understand. And it just is great to have her as that person to look up to, and even just showing of pave the way of, you know, having her kids, and she brings the boys on tour as well. I don’t know if I’m that bold, if I can do all that, and it just shows each time it just how resilient, how powerful that she truly is.

Brianna Battles  33:34

Yeah, and how long are you typically, typically gone at a time before like, you’re able to kind of get back and be

Jasmine Jones  33:41

with your daughter. So this season, we were going from about November to February, so about four months. Normally it’s about three to four months I’m away and that I can finally be back.

Brianna Battles  33:51

Yeah, oh my gosh. So you make it to Italy, and what was it like being there?

Jasmine Jones  33:58

Oh, that experience was just great, like being able to have that environment, truly have the feeling of being Olympian set in. And I was just like, I would have my nights where I would, you know, try to FaceTime Jade as much as I could get to talk to her. And then even during that time, I was also raising money to get my mom out there too. And I was like, You know what you deserve, time away. I want you here, especially for me as your child. Yeah, so I was able to kind of start raising funds while I was, like, training everything, and get my mom over there, and she brought, you know, one of her best friends that could also witness me. You know, have this accomplishment and, you know, going into competition and knowing that, you know, I have my family there, my friends from college there, and it just remind me again, of like my home base. And you know what it’s for. I’m thankful for my village of, you know, helping me and supporting me throughout this whole journey and just that experience of, you know, hearing my mom. I can hear but I’m not looking around. I’m trying to be like. Laser focused, but knowing that she’s there watching, and then even whenever I can, you know, have be able to see her like towards the end of the finish, it just meant the most

Brianna Battles  35:09

to me. Absolutely. And your partner, Kaylee, she’s also a mother, yes, and that’s like a very special, shared and unique bond as well. Within the sport, for both of you to be mothers,

Jasmine Jones  35:24

definitely, it definitely brings more, you know, meaning to our relationship as well, besides, you know, being teammates, but also being moms. You know, there’s times where I understand when she’s tired and what she’s going through, and we even talk about, you know, what Jade’s doing at this age. I’m like, Just wait Your time’s coming, they’re going to start asking you these type of questions. So being able to even have that mom bond, and being that first duo to do that at the Olympics has definitely been, you know, super meaningful in having Kaylee to be there with me, and you know, knowing that I’m behind her as a pilot, as you know, she’s a veteran. Everything she’s done, as well as being his mom, definitely pushed me even more to want to give her the success that we had at the games. Yeah. I mean, it

Brianna Battles  36:09

seems like there’s just this powerful force of mothers within, like the bobsled community, like you guys are incredible.

Jasmine Jones  36:17

Definitely, it’s for sure, growing. And I just like to, you know, see just how well that we can do and how we’re continuing for, you know, future people that, again, you can have it all. You can do both and not strictly have to choose just one, because Kaylee also brings Alden with her as well. And I commend her for that, because I’m like, I can’t, and I mean, like, especially if you can do it then, by all means. But I’m just being able to show others that, like, you know, we’re doing this, so that way, we can pave the way. And even now in the usopc, now they’re also starting to integrate families into the training center, which I

Brianna Battles  36:55

think is really great. I’m so special that we’re just, we are seeing such growth and exposure for athlete moms, and you know the fact that you’re able to bring your children around, or the sacrifices that go into it and just providing more support, like functional support, but also, you know the work that this brand is doing with trying to support your physical body, you know, during pregnancy and postpartum, so that you can return and feel feel good. We’re seeing so much growth there and just such positive exposure. It’s so nice to see.

Jasmine Jones  37:26

Oh for sure, definitely, I know my next, my next one, whenever that will be, to understand more of taking the time and truly sticking to a you know routine of what to do, so that way I can be better coming back for the next squad coming up. Yeah, you know,

Brianna Battles  37:44

it’s, it’s funny, because I think again, the perception is like, well, professional athletes, they have all of these resources and support and guidance and like, hey, they’re, they’re taken care of. They know what to do and and I tell everybody, like, it is not like that. Like they don’t, their coaches don’t necessarily, there’s not a special coach for this or that all the time. It’s very, like, sport specific. And so you guys are left to your own, like, resources in terms of getting the support and guidance and knowledge and education, etc, that you need. It’s just, it’s and it’s not always intuitive, either.

Jasmine Jones  38:17

It’s not. And especially, like a lot of the general swim coaches that I have. They’re mainly, you know, men, and they don’t know everything about women’s health. They don’t know everything about women’s body. And I know, you know, being in the OTC and working with our sports providers, and there’s one particular our massage therapist, I know she’s diving more into, you know, women’s health, and I’ve been talking with her, I’m like, Well, what do you think about this? Or, how should I do this? And how do I prepare my core this way? So I definitely appreciate how they’re trying to start incorporating that resource solely for women of, you know, understanding their body and everything that they went through, especially because, you know, pregnancy and everything it’s, it’s a lot, it’s almost traumatic, in a sense, in what you’re putting your body through, and, you know, trying to come back from that we need, you know, a step by step process of what am I doing here, of how can I, like, start to, you know, come back and my stomach is ripped open, so I need to start getting back to myself or who I was. But even better, so definitely appreciate the resources that they’re trying to incorporate more in the OTC,

Brianna Battles  39:23

yeah, absolutely. And there’s something that we talk about a lot is, like, you know, if you would have torn your ACL, everyone would know what to do with you. You know, like, everyone knows what to do with a torn ACL. There’s protocol, there’s processes, there’s and there’s just, like, a an overall understanding of, like, progression and timeline for you to, like, heal and rehab and recover and build strength, and then, you know, start seeing performance improvements in your sport. But for something like pregnancy and postpartum, it’s almost like, well, the baby’s out. Like, now you’re back to normal, but you’re you’re not. You are at a deficit, even if you were able to maintain fitness. Through pregnancy, like, there’s still so much that your body is recovering from and that your body is just not at a normal baseline of yet, because lactation, sleep changes to routine. Like everything, like, everything is just a bit different, and we are seeing a lot of change. Of course, I’m happy to to always, like, help different athlete moms and organizations provide better support and care, but it’s, uh, it’s interesting to see when we know what to do with orthopedic injuries and symptoms. But the thing that’s as common is having a baby, there’s just not a lot of insight

Jasmine Jones  40:35

on exactly. It’s almost like beforehand, it was almost taboo for, you know, a woman athlete to have a baby and go back to sport where? Now that’s starting to be the more common thing. Now, where, all right, you have the baby. Let’s start your game plan of making a return back to fitness and back to sport.

Brianna Battles  40:55

Absolutely, yeah, because we see like the core and pelvic floor is so incorporated into all of these different sports and needing to be solid in that foundation to then build the intensity and the load, the volume all in this your overall like athletic capacity, exactly.

Jasmine Jones  41:16

I didn’t even understood what pelvic floor was, but until about, I will say, a couple years ago, and she’s been out since, you know, the last five years. So I’m like, it’s a shame that I’m just now finding this out, especially how many years later, where I could have been doing this beforehand, and also not fully understanding what I’m doing. Wow. So definitely, just having more of those, you know, resources and understanding of like, this is what your body does, and this is what you want it to do, and understanding how to do it.

Brianna Battles  41:46

Yeah, absolutely. I know we’ve, we’ve come a long way, but there’s still quite a bit of work to do, and have that work translate to a lot of the athletes who need it the most. Like, you are somebody who you should have that support, you should have that knowledge insight, so you’re not guessing, or you’re like, basically finding out after the fact, you know, but we are making improvements, and I’ll be here to support you and help whenever that next time comes around. Oh, for

Jasmine Jones  42:13

sure, I’ll need it. I’m looking forward to it, because especially if I can feel how I feel now, be even earlier. That’ll be even better?

Brianna Battles  42:21

Yeah, absolutely. So what was that moment like? Standing on the podium?

Jasmine Jones  42:27

Oh my gosh, stay on the podium. Just felt so surreal. It just felt like all my hard work, all my obstacles, everything that I went through, got me to this point, and, you know, just remembering that that wasn’t my my end. All that wasn’t the end for me. And being able to push through everything, and being there in that moment just felt, oh my gosh. It was crazy, just surreal. And having my mom on the side of me, watching me, you know, have this pinnacle moment, and knowing that she’s the main person that helped me get here as well. So being able for her to, like, witness me do this, and you know, have this accomplishment just felt like the most to me in the absolute ways I can’t even describe it, because it’s crazy,

Brianna Battles  43:09

so amazing. I’m so I’m so happy for you that all of your hard work and sacrifice since becoming a mother has led to such an incredible moment. And just like, a win in so many different ways.

Jasmine Jones  43:24

Oh, for sure, definitely. You know, when there’s times where I felt like, oh my gosh, defeated in certain ways, during certain times, like going into the weight room, or, you know, Jade, we’re having a day today, and she’s, you know, being a kid, and I’m just like, I can’t today, and then just knowing that it’s going to lead me to this point where I’m like, You know what? It was worth it. I understand we’re going to have our moments. We have our days, but at the end of the day, this is still the main thing. And I was definitely thankful I kept the main thing, the main thing.

Brianna Battles  43:54

Yeah, absolutely. So what? What is next for you? Do we have? Are there performance, goals, career motherhood, like, what? What’s on the horizon for you,

Jasmine Jones  44:05

definitely career goals for me. I’m currently enlisted in the Air Force. I definitely want to go to Officer school and continue that growth in my career as well. I know for sure I want to get you know my daughter Jade incorporated into more sports. Excuse me, I feel like for the most part, I’ve been, you know, kind of selfish in a way, but I kind of want to give that back to her, to allow her to get, you know, into sports, finding out what she likes, and, you know, just being there for her, and at the same time still continuing to train. You know, my next end goal was also 2030 so I have so many things that’s happening, but also trying to line them up in the correct way as well, and, you know, getting ready for, you know, this big move and going into a an area where there’s going to be a lot more opportunity, but not just for me, but for my daughter, Jade, and looking towards that of just, you know, being a mom and working on my career, and starting working towards 2030, You.

Brianna Battles  45:02

I’m so proud of you and like, I mean, I know we just met, but I just, I feel so proud of you, and I’m really thankful that you were able to share the vulnerability of, like, what happens behind the scenes to get to the Olympic stage. And you have such a special journey, such a unique journey, and a really inspiring one.

Jasmine Jones  45:22

Oh, thank you so much. I truly appreciate especially when you know, reaching out. I’m like, Oh, for sure, I believe so much to say. So definitely. Thank you for even having, you know, this platform to talk about, except for it’s not, you know, talked about enough.

Brianna Battles  45:35

Yeah, I know. I We see the highlight reel, right? Like we see the the metal moments, we see the stories and the highlights and that, all of that is very inspiring and very important to get you know athlete moms, the exposure that so many have fought a really long time to have, but acknowledging what it takes to actually get there and What women go through, mentally, physically, emotionally as mothers, to then still perform and be an athlete at the highest level. I mean, that’s what I want to see highlighted. You know, like telling those stories so that people, like, sometimes will compare well, so that this person did it and like, kind of makes it look easy. But behind the scenes, they have no idea what went actually into it.

Jasmine Jones  46:22

It looks easy. And, you know, it’s good that it looks easy because, you know, not everybody wants to look at, you know, the hard, the ugly. But it’s that happens. It’s also reality. And you know, especially until the time when you know certain people go through, you know their situations, then they’ll understand them just like, oh, this is what it takes. It’s almost like the the glacier aspect, where everybody can see the top portion but they can’t see the bottom.

Brianna Battles  46:46

Yeah, absolutely. And you know, you are trailblazing for so many other women. What is possible to be an athlete and to be a mom, and to be a single mom, to be working and to be in the Air Force, like so many elements that you’re just, you are really trailblazing in so many other ways too, and it’s just, it’s incredibly admirable. Oh, thank you so much. Yes, absolutely. All right, share your Instagram handle so people can know where they can follow you at,

Jasmine Jones  47:16

sure it’s at a jazz J, I was very young when I made it but a Y, Y, E, underscore jazz, J, that’s me,

Brianna Battles  47:24

and we’ll have that linked in the show notes. But Jasmine, thank you so much for sharing your story and for being such an incredible example to so many women who are listening to this podcast, so many coaches that are listening to this podcast, just hear like, how can we step up to support more of the athlete moms in our life, whether they’re professional athletes or just our everyday moms that are trying to go to the gym and they’re working and they’re balancing all of the different variables. There’s things that make us different, but there’s a lot more things that really are similar between all of us,

Jasmine Jones  47:58

for sure, and I’m thankful. I’m glad to share my story with everybody.

Brianna Battles  48:06

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Practice Brave podcast. If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review and help us spread the work we are doing to improve the overall information and messaging in the fitness industry and beyond. Now, if you are pregnant and you are looking for a trustworthy exercise program to follow, I have you covered. The pregnant athlete training program is a well rounded program for pregnancy with workouts for each week that are appropriate for your changing body. That’s 36 weeks of workouts, three to four workouts each week, and tons of guidance on exercise strategy. We also have an at home version of that program if you are postpartum and you’re looking for an exercise program to follow. The eight week postpartum athlete training program would be a really great way to help bridge the gap between rehab and the fitness you actually want to do from there, we have the practice brave fitness program, which is an ongoing strength conditioning program where you get new workouts each week and have a lot of guidance for myself and my co coach, Heather Osby, this is the only way that I’m really offering ongoing coaching at this point in time. If you have ever considered becoming a certified pregnancy and postpartum athleticism coach, I would love to have you join us pregnancy and postpartum. Athleticism is a self paced online certification course that will up level your coaching skills and help connect the dots between pelvic health and long term athletic performance, especially during pregnancy and postpartum, become who you needed and become who your online and local community needs by becoming a certified pregnancy and postpartum athleticism Coach, thank you again for listening to the Practice Brave podcast. I appreciate you, and please help me continue spreading this messaging, this information and this work.