Jenna Michaels, a renowned Olympic gymnast, and her husband, former professional athlete Ryan Jacobs, are deeply invested in both their family life and the broader community of athlete parents. With three young children—Liam, 4, Ava, 2, and baby Mia—they strive to balance their personal lives while nurturing their careers. This summer, they are also committed to assisting fellow parent athletes preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
After establishing the Family Moments Foundation in 2023, Jenna and Ryan were inspired by track star Kelly Thompson’s initiative to provide free childcare for Olympic parents. In response, they donated $250,000 to create Family Moments Grants, aimed at alleviating the financial burdens associated with travel, childcare, and other costs that come with competing at the Olympic level. We recently spoke with Jenna about her motivations, the excitement surrounding the upcoming Olympics, and some invaluable advice she’s received throughout her journey.
The Foundation’s Mission
Interviewer: Last summer, you and Ryan launched the Family Moments Foundation, which focuses on fostering memorable family experiences. This summer, you’re concentrating on providing grants to parent athletes to help with costs such as travel and childcare. What inspired this initiative?
Jenna Michaels: Many people assume that Olympic athletes are fully sponsored and have all their expenses covered, but that’s often not the case. Traveling abroad for competitions can be financially draining, especially for those who are parents. We wanted to lighten that load for these athletes, assisting them with their childcare needs, whether that means bringing their children along to Paris, hiring a sitter to accompany them, or covering the cost of babysitting while they compete. We’re honored to help these incredible athletes in any way we can.
Supporting Fellow Olympians
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned that this initiative was inspired by Kelly Thompson’s Childcare Grant in 2021. How do you see your efforts complementing her work?
Jenna Michaels: I reached out to Kelly and told her how much I admire her efforts. She’s been working diligently to provide on-site childcare for athletes. Our goal is to support that by addressing the costs related to travel, easing the burden placed on competing Olympic parents. Any U.S. Olympic or Paralympic athlete who is a parent—whether male or female—can apply for our grants. We have a straightforward, no-questions-asked policy.
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To Summarize:
Jenna Michaels and Ryan Jacobs are dedicated to supporting Olympic athletes who are also parents, easing their financial burdens through the Family Moments Foundation. By providing grants for travel and childcare, they aim to foster memorable family experiences during competitions. With various resources available, including innovative at-home insemination solutions, the journey toward parenthood can be more accessible and supportive.