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Keira D’Amato is no stranger to defying expectations. A mother of two, a professional marathoner, and a proud member of Team UCAN, Keira has carved out one of the most inspiring comeback stories in American distance running. After stepping away from competitive running for nearly a decade, she returned not just to participate—but to dominate—setting the American record in the marathon and becoming a force on the world stage.
But Keira’s story goes far beyond splits and finish lines. At the heart of her journey is motherhood—a role that’s transformed how she trains, competes, and lives. Far from being a barrier, becoming a mom has reshaped her mindset in powerful ways, giving her new perspective, deeper motivation, and the kind of resilience only parenting can teach.
In this Q&A, Keira shares how being a mother has influenced her as a pro athlete, the strategies that keep her balanced, and the moments where her children have pushed her to go even further. Her answers are as real, joyful, and thoughtful as she is—offering a glimpse into the beautiful chaos of chasing goals with kids at her side and love at the center of it all.
Q: How has motherhood influenced your mindset or approach to training and competition as a professional athlete?
Motherhood has changed nearly everything about how I train and compete as a professional athlete… so much so, I’m writing a book about it! It’s completely restructured my priorities. Running is no longer my number one, and surprisingly, that’s incredibly freeing. It gives me the courage to take big risks, go all-in, and race without fear of the outcome—because no matter what happens, win or learn, I get to run back into their hugs. It almost feels like playing with house money… almost.
Motherhood has taught me flexibility. If I don’t bend, I break. So I’ve learned to be consistent even when things aren’t perfect, to focus on progress instead of results, and to ask myself, if I’m doing this anyway, why not make it fun? Running and motherhood both play by the same rules. It’s also deepened my gratitude for the gift of running. I feel lucky to sneak in a run amidst the beautiful chaos of life. That appreciation runs deep.
And beyond wishing health, happiness, and kindness for my kids, I now also wish for them to find a passion in life that lights them up the way running does for me.\
Q: What strategies or routines help you manage the daily demands of being both a top-level marathoner and a parent?
Routines are everything. They give structure to the day (not just for me, but for the kids too) so we all know what to expect and can move toward a shared goal together. Each night, I mentally organize the next day’s commitments by priority: family, running, work, friends, and everything else. That helps me stay grounded and live an authentic life.
Here’s a little Keira trick: When I was first getting back into running, I stopped asking, “Can I fit in a run?” and started saying, “When will I fit in a run?” That simple shift made it more of a non-negotiable—something important enough to make time for. And let’s be honest: I ask for help. A lot. From a lot of people. So thank you, everyone—I truly couldn’t do this without you.
Q: Are there any moments where being a mom has directly motivated or inspired your performance on the race course?
Honestly, every race feels inspiring as a mom, because I know my kids are watching. That pushes me to live the way I hope they’ll learn to talk to themselves: Am I doing my best with what I have today? Am I pushing my limits? Am I learning? Is this challenging and stimulating? And—am I having fun?
Motherhood has even changed my self-talk. I’ve started speaking to myself the way I speak to my kids—and let me tell you, that voice is a lot more encouraging!
One race that stands out is the 2022 Houston Marathon, when I ran 2:19. At the time, my kids were obsessed with the song “Dynamite” and I heard it all over the course. Every time it played, it made me think of them. That connection gave me strength. It was like this voice saying: Look what Mom can do.
