Thank You, Mom: Road To The Rio 2016

Have you guys seen the newest “Thank you, Mom.” video from P&G? If  you haven’t seen the video yet, take a moment and watch it, but be sure to grab a box of Puffs first. I’ve seen it a couple of dozen times now and I still can’t watch it without tearing up.

The critically acclaimed films from P&G’s previous Olympic Games campaigns, “Pick Them Back Up”, “Kids” and “Best Job”, are among the most viewed Olympic Games videos of all time, and I’m sure this year’s offering, “Strong”, will leave just as big of an impression.

It takes someone strong
to make someone strong.
Thank you, Mom.

Mom’s teach us to get back up when we fall, guide us and protect us, and hold our hands, sometimes literally, through the tough moments. And of course, because I’m a mother myself I see it from both sides, I view it through the lens of my childhood memories, and through the day to day realities of my life as a mom, and maybe that’s why I cry.

I see how much my kids need me (sometimes so much so that I want to go lock myself in the bathroom for a twenty minute time out), I see the moments when their self confidence falters, and I see how much effect my actions and words have on them (both positive, and negative, and sometimes with so much mommy guilt).

I also know how much I need my own mother. The deep and profound effect she has had on my own life. The quite literally countless times she has been there for me, to help, to listen, to guide me, to encourage me. I’m in my forties and I still need my mom. I simply can not imagine my life without her in it. So maybe that’s why I cry.

Or maybe it’s because I’m in awe of the strength and perseverance that these Olympic athletes embody. Not just the talent, or the skill that they have, but the sheer strength of spirit to compete, to put themselves out there and give their best, to never give up. I am amazed by these people’s fierce spirits, maybe that’s why I cry.

The Olympic games always captures the attention of people, worldwide. We find ourselves passionately following sports that we don’t normally stop to think twice about. Why do we watch these games so intently? Why are we so proud of our nation’s athletes? So proud to be able to say they are Canadian?

In the end, what does it take to be an Olympic athlete? We see one person performing out on the field, but they don’t exist in a vacuum. Behind that person is an entire support system, coaches, family, friends, and of course moms.

“This campaign began with the insight that behind every athlete is an amazing mom,” said Marc Pritchard, P&G Global Brand Officer, “Being the Proud Sponsor of Moms is a natural way for us to look at the Games because P&G brands are part of the journey moms of Olympians, and all moms, take with their kids every day. We see how strong moms are in every facet of their lives, and how their children draw on that strength as they grow. Through our campaign, we invite everyone to join us in saying ‘Thank You’ to moms for the role they play in raising strong children.”

What about you folks? Does this video make you get teary eyed? (or am I just a big wuss?) What is it about the Olympics that you find compelling? Will you be watching this year’s Summer Olympics in Rio and cheering on Team Canada?

I’m proud to be supporting Always, athlete Stephanie Labbé, and her family, in their journey to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Stephanie is the goalkeeper for this year’s Canadian Olympic Women’s Football (Soccer) Team. She’s one of the top goalkeepers in the world, who has represented Canada on the international field since 2002.

Stephanie won a silver medal with Canada at the XIV Pan American Games, won a gold medal at the 2004 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship in Canada, represented Canada at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Russia 2006, won a gold medal with Canada at the 2010 CONCACAF championship / FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers for Germany 2011, finished first with Canada at the 2011 Cyprus Women’s Cup. finished second with Canada at the 2012 Cyprus Women’s Cup, finished sixth with Canada at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, finished fourth with Canada at the Pan American Games Toronto 2015 (and that’s just some of her accomplishments, this lady is a seriously inspiring world class athlete).

As part of the P&G Thank You Mom Olympics program Stephanie’s mom, Beverly (along with her father Gerard, and older brother Kevin), will be there in person to cheer her on during the 2016 Olympics. I think this is such an amazing program, helping to bring athlete’s families to the Olympics, helping the moms who have raised these amazing, strong, people be there alongside them, to support them and to witness their moment in the spotlight.

I’m excited to be bringing you more details about the program, and about Stephanie’s journey to Rio, in the weeks to come.

Disclosure: I am an Always Brand Ambassador, and as such will be providing coverage of Always’ sponsored Olympic athlete, Stephanie Labbé. This post was sponsored by P&G. As always, my words and opinions are my own.