Lisa Leslie: “Motherhood Is Much More Challenging Than Basketball”

Lisa Leslie - courtesy www.celebritybabyscoop.com

Lisa Leslie, Olympian and former WNBA star of the L.A. Sparks, partnered with Allegra to develop the Allegra Outdoor Challenge. This program encourages families to stay active outdoors despite dealing with seasonal allergies.

Lisa opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about her two children, Lauren, 5, and MJ, 3,  and how she got involved with the Allegra Outdoor Challenge. She goes on to discuss the greatest lessons she learned from basketball and how she plans to celebrate Mother’s Day. 

CBS: Tell us about the new program you developed with Allegra to help families get outdoors and get in shape despite dealing with allergies.

LL: “As a mom, I love having the opportunity to encourage other moms to get outdoors and not let their allergies slow them down. Together, Allegra and I created the Allegra Outdoor Challenge series of fun and creative outdoor workout tips to show families how with a little creativity and allergy relief from Allegra, their seasonal allergies don’t have to stop them from getting outdoors and having fun. My five-year-old daughter Lauren and I both have seasonal allergies, and I take Allegra-D and Lauren takes Children’s Allegra. Lauren complains of itchy, watery eyes when her allergies flare up, and Allegra really works for her!

At Facebook.com/AllegraOTC, you can find my tips and photos showcasing how your family can take the Allegra Outdoor Challenge. From yard yoga to a make-your-own basketball court at home, these are fun ways I motivate my own family to get outdoors and stay active. I hope to inspire other families to do the same!”

CBS: Please tell our readers all about your backyard workouts
LL: “The backyard workout is truly designed for the working mom who can’t find the time to get to the gym but has just enough time to go in the backyard for family time. Instead of sitting and watching the kids play, I encourage the moms to get up and get moving with the kids, whether that be by using a towel to stretch, doing yoga poses, or playing something as simple as hopscotch.  I try to incorporate movement that I would also do at the gym, such as dips, squats, and push-ups.”

CBS: What are your two kids, Lauren and MJ, into? Do they play basketball like mom? 

LL: “My kids play tennis, gymnastics, and soccer, and they also swim twice a week. We work on dribbling with MJ in hopes of him playing like mommy.”

CBS: Tell us about some of the greatest lessons you learned from basketball that you use off the court in your everyday life. Have these skills helped you as a mother? Wife? Friend?

LL: “I have learned to hustle after my goals in life as a mom, wife, and business woman. I have also learned that you get out of life what you put into it, just like my game on the court. I work hard and I play hard. I only know how to be successful and being a role model has always been the driving force behind my decision-making as a mom. I lead by example.”

CBS: What do you find more challenging — basketball or motherhood? Please elaborate/explain.

LL: “Motherhood is much more challenging than basketball. It is the most precious blessing any woman could ask for, yet, it’s the most difficult, time-consuming, and never-ending job. I love every minute of it and I would not want to know life without my bundles of joy!”

CBS: Mother’s Day is around the corner.  What does Mother’s Day mean to you?  How do you like to celebrate?

LL: “Since having kids, I don’t really care about any holidays anymore. I see life from such a different perspective. I am thankful for my life, my wonderful husband, and my beautiful children every day. I always pray a prayer of protection around them and, to me, every day we go to bed is truly Mother’s Day! I am so thankful for our health and opportunity to be together.”

CBS: You’ve got your foot in so many different arenas — basketball, modeling, acting. What is your favorite and what are you hoping to expand on in the future?

LL: “I am enjoying the Lisa Leslie Basketball & Leadership Academy, because I get to work with our youth every week. I also enjoy being a co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks. We are looking forward to a great season with our star players Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike, just to name a few.”

CBS: You’re also involved in some local fitness projects with kids.  Can you tell us more?  What’s up next for you?

LL: “I love my work with the American Federation for Children (AFC), which brings awareness to school choice around the nation.”