Dearica Hamby knows what it feels like to carry the weight of being both an elite athlete and a mother. The Los Angeles Sparks forward recently opened up in an exclusive interview, detailing how she balances motherhood and basketball, encouraging mothers to prioritize self-care.
The NBA athlete made headlines after filing a federal discrimination lawsuit against the Las Vegas Aces, saying she was traded while pregnant. That move turned her into an unintentional advocate for mothers across sports. But today, Hamby is turning her focus inward, redefining what self-care means on her own terms.
“I think when I first got into the league I was more in a GO GO GO mindset,” Hamby told Essence Magazine. “I wanted to get as many things done in a day as I could… I wanted to travel to see everyone and everybody in my short time at home.”
The mother-of-two admits, was fueled by the reality that the WNBA’s salaries often mean players must hustle, overseas contracts, endorsements, appearances, just to make ends meet.
“Since having kids and also just maturing in my game I’ve placed a lot of importance on my wellness and taking care of myself,” she said. “It’s important to rest and recover and to unplug at times… This also means supporting myself with resources that help keep me consistent if I’m lacking in my diet, since it can sometimes be difficult to eat right while I’m on the road.”
Hamby has found support in routines that include: vitamins, magnesium chews, and supplements that help her manage energy and recovery while traveling. These things may seem small, but truly do make a big difference.
“When I take MegaFood Whole Body Multi, it feels like self-care. Starting my day with Iron supplements feels like a boost in energy and keeps me feeling motivated to start my day,” she explained to the outlet.
Beyond the vitamins, the 31-year-old is intentional about protecting her peace. “I show up for myself in all sorts of ways.. physically mentally and emotionally,” she said. “Mentally and emotionally just making sure I’m protecting my peace.. and decompressing when I’m able to.”
That often means saying no more often, letting go of guilt, and prioritizing her health as much for her children as for herself. “I see how crucial it is to take care of my health not just for myself, but for my children,” she shared.
Her commitment to self-care is also about resilience on the court. “For me it’s mostly mental and my ability to believe in myself,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate to be physically sustainable thus far. But I am also getting older now so there is a bigger emphasis on me taking care of my body to help with recovery.”
Dearica recognizes that self-care doesn’t always come cheap, but she frames it as an investment. “I can’t take money with me when I leave, so I’m going to make sure I’m keeping my current necessities at the forefront to feel my best night in and night out,” she explained.
To other mothers juggling ambition and family, her advice is simple but powerful.
“Be confident in whatever decision you make for yourself and your family. There is mom guilt either way and people are gonna have something to say regardless… so do what you feel is best.”
Hamby is proving that self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity. “Raising kids definitely takes a village but that doesn’t mean that it’s a hindrance and moms shouldn’t be considered less qualified because they want to have kids,” she said. “I think if the narrative can be changed, the world would be a better place.”
