Wow, there were two big differences with this Olympics compared to any other I have ever been to. First and the most obvious is that because I was not competing, I could take in every aspect the Olympic Games had to offer. I could relax, did not have to be so intense and focused, and there was no pressure. Just me and my family, covering Alpine skiing and the stories that surrounded it, and getting to meet and talk to some really amazing people. Secondly, the Winter Olympics are so much smaller therefore much more intimate: both with the athletes and the fans. Plus, being in Whistler we were even further removed from the absolute craziness of the crowds and rowdiness. Don’t get me wrong, there were an incredible amount of fans and people in Whistler, but you could walk around and see people you met the day before, have a favorite breakfast spot where you knew the menu and made friends with the people who worked there. This would NEVER have happened in Beijing or Athens. But a lot of that is also credited to just the Canadian way of life …

2010 Winter Olympics, Opening Ceremonies

2010 Winter Olympics, Opening Ceremonies

2010 Winter Olympics, Opening Ceremonies

I attended my first Opening Ceremonies from the stands, and it did not disappoint. One of the highlights was attending it with friends at Nike (including trainer Jeanette Jenkins and actress/rapper Queen Latfiah) and just being able to take it all in. It was an amazing ceremony with some awesome performances (Sarah McLachlin, Bryan Adams, Nelly Furtado and KD Lang) and a unique look at the aboriginal and indigenous cultures of Canada. The streets outside of the ceremony were like one gigantic parade. People all around the world had come to celebrate the Olympic Games, and I was right there with them.

We stayed in Vancouver for a few more nights and then headed to Whistler to get started working as a host reporter for Yahoo! Sports. I was covering Alpine skiing with our analyst/skier Bryon Friedman. I had a blast hanging out with the Yahoo! crew, going to events, interviewing athletes, and just taking in the Olympics. It really just felt like I was hanging out with friends, talking about all the cool stories of the Olympics. Here are few stories that I did if you want to check them out: http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/woly/Olympic_News/18282537 and http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/woly/Alpine_Skiing/18301539.

Interviewing Julia Mancuso after her two silver medals

Interviewing Julia Mancuso after her two silver medals

I was able to hit the slopes and do some snowboarding and Adam and I had a “date” and did some fun snowmobiling through the majestic Cougar Canyon. The highlight of the trip was probably getting front row seats to see the gold medal women’s hockey game. I have never been to a hockey game and to see it right up against the glass, players pounding into it at full speed, plus the tremendous atmosphere of the Canadian fans, it was one of the best sporting events I have ever been to in my life. Adam and Caleb came too (we had ear plugs for Caleb) and we sat with skiing legend Picabo Street and her son (same age as Caleb) Dax. Even though the US lost, it was such a great representation of a nation’s love for hockey and two amazing teams fighting for the ultimate: gold.

Caleb at the hockey game

Women's Hockey

Olympic Diapers

Picabo street and dax.JPG

Look Out!

Beautiful Whistler

I do have to admit, after seeing our women take the silver, and the roll of emotions that took place on their faces and in every American heart in that stadium, it reminded me so much of when we took silver in Beijing. So much work and heart goes into every day over four years of training and preparing all for that one dream: to win an Olympic gold medal. When I went down to the ice to give friend and four-time Olympian Angela Ruggiero a hug, I could feel Beijing and the emotions all over again. Needless to say, Adam and I spent the rest of the night (and it was his birthday — poor guy!) having a moment for the future of softball as tears rolled down our faces. Sad night for the US, but in the end I know the future is so bright for sports like hockey and softball (at the very least) here in the US. So many young girls want to play and be a part of these sports, and the fact they have the opportunity to play is what really matters most.

Luge View

Skiing

This family will never forget our experience at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler. I was able to see the games from a different perspective then I ever have before, and I am so grateful to Yahoo! Sports and Nike for making this be one of the most memorable experiences for the three (we will have to remind Caleb with pictures later) of us. Now back to making more opportunities for girls to play and live their dreams as well! Go USA!!!

Love it, Dream it, Live it!!
Jessica Mendoza #2

As the Winter Olympic Games come to a close, I reflect on a story that stood out to me more than many others. Although I will be recapping later about all the other fun and crazy stories of our family’s trip to Vancouver and Whistler, I want to separately talk about the obvious comparison of women’s ice hockey and olympic softball.

When I was first asked by reporters in Vancouver my thoughts on if women’s ice hockey should be eliminated because North America is so dominate, I was hit with a huge array of emotions from 8 years ago when this question was first raised to me about softball. Instead of answering the question, I had questions of my own I wanted to fire back: Does anyone ask Michael Phelps if his dominance in swimming should eliminate HIM from swimming at the Olympics? And the slew of other teams that have also dominated throughout the Olympics (ie USA women’s basketball, Chinese table tennis)? And since when is dominance at an Olympics looked down upon? Since when do we punish those who have trained and worked harder their whole lives for one ultimate dream and goal: dominance on the biggest stage ever, the Olympic Games?

Ugh. I don’t understand. These questions are always met with agreement and “You’re absolutely right”, but then why are the questions still there? Why are they first asked of softball and now of ice hockey? If I were to be in charge of the question-asking, I would be directing the questions toward countries like Russia, where we all know they have the right training, facilities and equipment for their men’s ice hockey team who has done well for decades, but their women’s team was slaughtered by the US in pool play last Tuesday 13-0?

The accountability should never fall on the athletes of sports where the Olympic Games are the pinnacle of their athletic career. Isn’t this what the Olympics are about? A place for an athlete, sport and country to shine when no other place/event could provide them that much light?

That’s what I thought. But then the IOC took softball out of the Olympics and have still yet to give us a consistent reason. And now they might consider the same fate for women’s ice hockey when the sport, like softball, has only had 4 Olympics to let it truly grow.

I love the Olympics, there is nothing better. That is why every young girl who has a dream, whether that be softball or hockey, should have the chance to realize that dream at an Olympic Games. So please, stop with the questions. Let’s praise these women like we would any other athlete (Lance Armstrong, Shaun White, Michael Phelps) and make sure they stay to continue the best of what the Olympics are about.

Love it, Dream it, Live it!
Jessica Mendoza #2

Hey everyone!

The last couple of weeks have been filled with snowy places and inspiring Olympic faces. After watching the snowboarding Olympic trials in Mammoth, CA and seeing Gretchen Bleiler qualify and take first place, I had to hit the slopes myself and pretend like I was in Olympic contention (a girl can dream can’t she?).

From there the family was off to meet a bunch of aspiring softballers in Bend, OR. Softball may be small there, but it sure is growing fast! I look forward to spending a lot more time up there working with the girls and coaches — especially because my little sis Alana, bro in-law JD, and their beautiful son (come on, he’s my nephew after all!) Kyler live there and any time I get to spend with them is so cool.

This last weekend I was asked to speak at the Mohegan Sun coaches clinic on outfield. We had a record 1,200 coaches and players — so AWESOME to speak in front of a crowd like that: people who love the game and want to learn more. I then visited the Louisville Slugger and Frozen Ropes booths, signing autographs and meeting all those who attended. I stopped by Finch’s booth to say hi and catch up with the 10 minutes we had between signings. She is always so helpful in giving “mom” advice on traveling with our little boys. I know all advice helps, that’s for sure!

From there, it was off to Spokane to run a MendozaUSA event with all the softballers and coaches there. A lot of people don’t know this, but my husband Adam grew up there, went to University High School and his dad and stepmom still live there. So working with the softball players there is close to home for my family and I look forward to doing much more in the future.

After the six-hour softball event, I switched my hat to be an Olympic Ambassador for all the Olympic figure skaters. Every winter Olympian has to go through this program where we (USOC staff and in this case fellow Olympians Dan O’brien, gold medal decathlete, and Nikki Stone, gold medal skier) prepare them for all that takes place at an Olympics. Needless to say, it is a very inspiring, educational, and motivating experience for all. Especially in this case because the figure skaters had just qualified for the Olympics the night before. I enjoyed getting to know them “off the ice” and look forward to seeing them perform next month at the Olympics.

I was able to go home for 2 days before this last trip to the OTC (Olympic Training Center) in Colorado, where we (Brandi Chastain, 2 gold 1 silver medalist in soccer, and Bonnie Blair, 5-time gold medalist in speed skating) spoke to the women’s Olympic ice hockey team. What an amazing group of women! They seem to be in a really good place and I know they are going to win big in Vancouver! I will be covering the winter Olympic games as a blog reporter for Yahoo, and can not wait to experience the Olympic games from the other side: as a fan and reporter!

Right now I’m on the red-eye flight back home to see my boys and then we turn around and head to Paso Robles, CA to work a softball clinic with fellow Olympian Natasha Watley this Sunday (Jan 31).

Big week coming up with a trip to DC with the Women’s Sports Foundation to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports day Feb 3. Meeting with senators and possible trip to the White House. What is your local area doing to celebrate? Join all of us in celebrating this day! Honestly, don’t know where I would be without the life skills sports have taught me … I know many of you feel the same way.

Talk soon!

Love it, Dream it, Live it!

Jessica Mendoza #2

What a year 2009 was, with no doubt the highlight being the birth of little Caleb Ashton. We spent the holidays up with my little sister and parents in Bend, Oregon. It was a beautiful white Christmas (my first!) and it was so fun to watch Caleb play with his cousin Kyler and spend that much time with family. We played in the snow, saw deer eat in the front yard and of course, I hit and worked out every day we were there =) Why did I work out every day over the holidays you might ask? Because we had tryouts for the 2010 National softball team January 4-7. We had my sister throwing batting practice, Adam hitting me fly balls and my dad critiquing with the video camera. Pretty much a typical Mendoza family Christmas and New Years =).

We flew straight from Oregon down to San Diego for tryouts. Can I even tell you how GOOD it felt to get back out on the field and see my teammates again? There is no way to describe how great it feels to play a sport you love after taking time away from it, but for those of you that LOVE this game (or anything for that matter), I hope you never take for granted the days you get to spend at practice, working hard to get better and spending time with your teammates. I was soooo NERVOUS. Wow, you would have thought I was 18 years old trying out for my first Olympic team. I just wanted to prove so bad (to myself more than anything) that I could have a baby and come back. As hard as I worked, I still was not sure if I was going to make a fool out of myself. Well the greatest thing happened. Probably one of my top 3 moments of my career happened … (drum roll) … I hit a HOME RUN my first at bat back. What?!?! It was like a dream. All I wanted to do was just make contact, and BOOM right center field and I am not kidding, I had tears running around the bases. I know that might sound silly to a lot of you, but I care so much about this game, but more importantly the balance of being able to create this amazing little boy and still live your dreams of playing a game you love. Women (and men too!) can do anything they put their mind to, and I can not express the excitement I felt to be able to hit a ball like that after all that happened this last year of 2009. Definitely just as cool as any other career softball moments.

After the tryouts, I spoiled myself by joining friends up in Mammoth for a weekend of snowboarding and watching the US Olympic Snowboarding trials. SO COOL! I haven’t snowboarded in 3 years because of the Olympics and then being pregnant, and it was so nice to carve through fresh powder up in the sunny mountain of Mammoth. I also saw my first half pipe competition, and it was an Olympic qualifier. I was able to see both Gretchen Bleiler and Shaun White win to solidify their sport for the Olympic games next month! Congrats to them both! Gretchen and I both have the same agent, Amy Stanton, so we have hung out a few times before, and to see her perform on the half pipe like she did … Wow. She has some serious guts to do all those flips, corkscrews and 900’s. Talk about respect for other sports, I am super jealous!

I am excited for the next month, I head back up to Bend, Oregon this weekend for a clinic, then out to Uncasville, CT to speak with Finch and Bustos at the Mohegan Coaches clinic, then off to Spokane, WA to prepare the Olympic figure skaters for the Olympics, work a softball clinic and then off to the Olympics in mid-February. Home? What’s that? So excited to see the Olympic games from the other side, working for Yahoo sports. Don’t forget about National Girls and Women in Sports Day this Feb 3rd! I will be in DC with the Women’s Sports Foundation celebrating and making progress for more girls and women to play sports!

Talk to you all soon and Happy 2010!!
Love it, Dream it, Live it!
Jessica Mendoza #2

This is my favorite time of year because it is all about family and being thankful for what you have. So much of our time seems to go to what we don’t have, how we should get it and all the negative that surrounds us.
It is nice to take some time to celebrate the beauties of life, ourselves and those amazing people we have around us.

My birthday was this month and as much as I love birthdays, I realized turning 29 is really not that big of a deal. It is always so cool to hear birthday wishes from people you had no idea they even knew it was your birthday. That and having my husband wake me up with his oh-so-beautiful voice singing me happy birthday was all I needed for the bday. That and that killer smile my son has =)

For my dad’s birthday (the big 7-0) we threw him a surprise party up at a cabin near Big Bear lake. My younger sister and her 7-month old son Kyler flew down from Oregon, my older sis drove up from San Diego, and my brother came in from nor cal. For the surprise we all hid in the back of the house, and when my dad walked in, all that was sitting there were the 2 babies (Caleb and Kyler) out in the living room with bday party hats on!  My dad was so confused and then tears came out when he realized his whole family was in one house to celebrate him for 4 days. Love it!

For Thanksgiving we took Caleb to meet the whole Mendoza side of his new family. It is so cool to see how he handles being handed off to so many people. Aunts to Uncles to cousins to second cousins to random people that we are not real sure who they are or how they are related (those with big families know exactly what I am talking about) =). But Caleb welcomed all this new family with smiles, giggles and even the occassional gas grunts =)

In between all this QT with family, I have been working out and hitting like mad, getting myself back to try out for the USA national team in January. Pretty crazy to think the last time I put on a USA jersey was at the Olympics and I have had a baby between then and now. Looking forward to seeing my teammates and the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. Lots of work between now and then — but that is why we Love it, Dream it, Live it, right?

I have also been chosen to be an Olympic Ambassador to help prepare the winter Olympians for the Games in Vancouver this February. Worked with the ski team in Colorado and had so much fun being on the other side of things. Can not wait to watch Bode Miller, Julia Mancuso , Lindsay Vonn and others kick butt for Team USA!

Now I am off to do a clinic in Imperial, CA and then flying to Louisana for a Women’s Sports Foundation fundraiser with Billie Jean King and Lindsay Davenport. Busy, busy but much more to come!

Stay tuned and always Love it, Dream it, Live it!
Jessica Mendoza
#2 USA

“I am excited about this issue because it is unique and shows the beauty of the athlete’s most powerful tool: their body. Rather than having the stereotypical bodies that we are used to seeing through the media every day, the bodies in this issue vary from super buff, to lean, to stocky … all exemplifying beauty in their own way.  I was proud to be in this issue at a unique time of my life.  I felt that by showing athletes in every shape and form, including those of us who have children and continue to play, ESPN the Magazine is trying to break those stereotypes.  I hope those who see this issue see it as a refreshing and celebratory view of the athletic body in all its beauty and forms, influencing women and girls in a positive way to appreciate their own unique, athletic bodies.”

~ Jess

What a crazy few weeks it has been!  The end of May came one of my favorite times of year: college softball post season. I commentated the regionals (ASU), super regionals (Stanford) and the grand event of the Women’s College World Series for ESPN. The WCWS this year was one of the most exciting I have ever seen, with offensive records being broken left and right. There were so many homeruns being hit, including FOUR grand slams (two of which were game-winners) it was no wonder why we also had a record-breaking 1.8 MILLION people tuned into ESPN Tuesday night for the championship. We have come a long way and I love hearing from so many new fans that never watched the sport before and have fallen in love with seeing these women play so well, and with so much passion.

This week has also been event-filled because I was able to meet up with academy award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon (fellow Stanford student) at UCLA for some softball tips for her upcoming movie where she plays a professional softball player who gets cut from the national team. She has never played the sport before, but has been training for a few months now trying to look as authentic as possible. I was so impressed with how hard she was working to do everything right, and how much she respects the world of female athletics. I have no doubt she will represent us well and this movie, which debuts December 2010, will be not only be huge for our sport, but for all female athletes. Her next goal is to come out for one of our Women’s Sports Foundation events — I think we can make that happen

After training with Reese, I headed to Louisville, Kentucky to put on a softball clinic with Olympic teammate Taria Flowers. We had over 100 girls attend and had so much fun working drills and also teaching important “life skills” to girls ranging from age 7-23. I also spent some time in the area speaking to a local basketball team and meeting with one of my sponsors, Louisville Slugger — talking about the future support of softball in years to come.

This morning I had breakfast with Olympic gymnast and Dancing with Stars winner, Shawn Johnson. What a whirlwind she has been on, and an exciting one too! She said she had no idea she would be able to do so many great things and meet so many people at only 17 years old. She is definitely living life to the fullest and most importantly, looking for ways to give back. One of her first questions to me was “How do I become President of the Women’s Sports Foundation?”. Gotta love it!!!

Now I am on my way to Lausanne, Switzerland to present on behalf of softball (along with Michele Smith and other international softball athletes) at the International Olympic Committee headquarters to get the sport back into the Olympic games for 2016. From these presentations, the IOC will be choosing 2 of the following 7 sports:
Softball
Rugby
Baseball
Golf
Squash
Roller Sports
Karate

So please keep your fingers crossed the IOC will make the right decision! For more information, please visit www.backsoftball.com.

After I return from Switzerland, just three more events in St. Louis, Cape Cod and Boston and then I am home to “nest” for the baby’s arrival in August!!! What a summer