Celebrating Dame Kelly Holmes Trust very own Super-Woman

Celebrating Dame Kelly Holmes Trust very own Super-Woman 

To mark International Women’s Day, we sat down with Trust Programme Coordinator Ruth Mwandumba to discuss all things motherhood (she recently became mum to twin girls!), working full-time and being a professional athlete.

Ruth is currently on the British Olympic World Class Programme in the sport of Shooting. She has lofty aspirations which include selection for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Ruth has also competed at multiple European and World level events. Ruth’s experience in the world of competitive sport supports her relationships with our team of athlete mentors.

As she juggles a trio of jobs, find out how Ruth has taken on the challenge:

How are you finding the juggle between being in full-time work, a professional athlete and a mother? 

It’s definitely a juggle, and some days run more smoothly than others. I’ve found that I’ve had to become a lot more intentional with my time and energy. Being a mum has actually made me more efficient both in my training and work environments. I feel like I fully put my efforts into each thing because time is more precious now! 

What are your current big goals for your sporting career? 

My main goal at the moment is to return to consistently shooting at world-class level again, especially internationally. Longer term, the aim is still the Olympics and seeing how far I can push my performance over this next Olympic cycle. 

What have been the most challenging things you have on your plate at the moment? 

Probably the unpredictability of life with young babies. Sleep deprivation is also a big one, and having plans constantly change last minute. Elite athletes thrive on routine, so learning to stay adaptable while still trying to prepare for things properly has been a bit of a challenge. 

What have been the positives moments of the past year? 

Becoming a mum to twins has obviously been the biggest one! But also getting back onto the range, competing at both the World and European Championships postpartum, and starting to feel like myself as an athlete again. Those small moments where things start to click again have felt really rewarding. 

How has your support network, fellow athletes/teammates and work helped you over the past year? 

I honestly couldn’t do it without them. My family, friends, teammates, colleagues, and support staff around me in the programme have all been incredibly understanding and flexible. Having people who believe in what you’re trying to do and who are willing to help make it possible, makes a huge difference.

Ruth’s story highlights many tools and techniques our Athlete Mentors are teaching young people through our education, community and one-to-one Health mentoring programmes. The importance of having a proper structure, surrounding yourself with ‘radiators’ people who know you and have your back and also having the confidence and resilience to make important decisions - as a mother, full-time worker and an athlete Ruth is making these decisions every single day and like Ruth has the young people we work with have a Champion in their corner.