Lindsey Weaver-Wright seemed to cruise through her pregnancy while playing on the LPGA Tour last year. She played 16 tournaments, earned a little over $308,000, and finished 78th in the CME rankings. With no morning sickness and no apparent lack of energy, she played through her second trimester feeling healthy and strong. She ended her season with an amazing last shot during her final round at the Volunteers of America tournament in October. That is just one of the reasons the LPGA Tour Instagram dubbed her “One Cool Mom.” LPGA Tour Video

What was her secret? She ate hearty meals, lots of protein and omega-3 foods, and took her prenatal supplements every day. She slept 10-12 hours every night on the road, which helped her keep her energy levels high. She worked with a personal trainer to help her exercise safely throughout her pregnancy for at least 30 minutes per day. As tournament play became more strenuous for her, she skipped her usual afternoon workouts during a tournament to put her feet up and rest.

“I didn’t know what to expect last year. I played all but two tournaments pregnant. Being able to physically play as long and as well as I did was very fulfilling,” Weaver-Wright commented. She also approached her competition golf with a new strategy. She thought she might have had to take her maternity leave year last year, so she began the season “playing for fun.” She said, “this mentality freed me because I wasn’t putting as much pressure on myself, and I wasn’t as burdened by it. I could just play relaxed.” She also played in less tournaments than usual and spent time at home resting and recovering at different points during the season. “You don’t always have to keep playing through it. It is important to take breaks physically and mentally and rest at home. It is a long, grueling season and it is easy to get burnt out.”

During her last trimester, she went home and continued to feel great. She exercised every day for at least 30 minutes with cycling, strength training, walking, and prenatal yoga. She never got extremely tired, her only food craving was for sushi, and she never got sick. She continued her healthy pregnancy diet, which was easier because she was eating at home and not reliant on having to eat out while on the road. She played in one pro-am tournament at Pebble Beach at 34 weeks pregnant, but it had become difficult for her to play well. It was challenging for her to hit through the ball, her distance was lacking, and it was difficult to set up over a putt.

When asked what advice she would give to a player who was considering a pregnancy and wanted to continuing play on the tour, Weaver-Wright said, “even though it might be scary because you do something physical for a living and don’t want to stop ‘working’, have the courage to do it. Stay as active as possible. It helps the time go by. And give yourself more grace in trying to figure it all out.” She added, “everyone on tour is super supportive and family oriented. They always inquire about how I am doing and organized a baby shower for me at one of the tournaments.”

Her nutrition and exercise routine had a big impact on her ability to play as well and for as long as she did. “It is the biggest reason I haven’t been tired. Staying active helped me mentally and physically. Playing golf helped lessen my anxiety around being pregnant. It helped me get through, pass the time, and reach all my milestones.”

Weaver-Wright gave birth to her son, Crew Callan, at 5:21 on December 17. They are both healthy and doing well. Weaver-Wright got her long-awaited sushi dinner a few days after giving birth. She hopes to be back in the gym and on the course in a couple of weeks. It will take time to build up to peak performance shape, but she is up for the challenge. She plans to play in eighteen tournaments this year with Crew in tow. Her first tournament of the year will be the Arizona Championship in Gilbert, AZ at the end of March.