Angel City FC’s Sydney Leroux: “Mommy Is Chasing Her Dreams, Too”

If you take care of littles (that includes pets), manage a home, and work—especially if your job is physical—then you know that moment of bliss when you climb into bed. As a single mom of two, pro soccer player Sydney Leroux relates.

Leroux was raised in Canada by parents who were both pro athletes, and grew up playing sports before joining UCLA’s soccer team as a starter. Today with a son, age seven, and a five-year-old daughter, Leroux has helped lead teams to victories in the 2015 World Cup and 2012 Olympics.

Now in the second half of the NWSL’s season, Leroux discusses balance and rest in a partnership with Serta Simmons Bedding to launch the new Serta iComfort PRO mattress, designed to keep her at the top of her game while juggling her active lifestyle and family. In addition, Serta Simmons Bedding has partnered with Team Whistle on an episode of the sports media and entertainment company’s “No Days Off” #1 YouTube docuseries, where Leroux highlights how the benefits of good sleep impact her performance.

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The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Sydney, it’s been a big year for female athletes. What does it feel like to be part of this movement, and this moment, when kids are growing up seeing female pro athletes as the norm?

Sydney Leroux: It’s amazing. I have been in the league since the very beginning, so to be a part of the growth and see where it is now is incredible. Angel City has done a great job, and being in that gameday environment is great to see.

The Healthy: You’ve accomplished so much. Do you have any specific hopes for the future, for yourself or the sport?

Sydney Leroux: I want to continue playing. For me, the most rewarding part of my career has been showing my kids that Mommy is still chasing her dreams, too. I hope to continue inspiring young girls to play and pursue their careers in soccer, too, and I am excited to see how this sport continues to grow for women not only in this country but also around the world.

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The Healthy: As a mom, do you have any advice for families who would like to give their daughters a chance to excel in sports?

Sydney Leroux: I think it is so important to just let your kids do whatever activity it is that makes them happy and whatever they want to do and love. My daughter loves watching me play, but she doesn’t like to play the way my son does. Last year, she wanted to be on a team because she had “Elsa” cleats, so she played for a season and loved it, but I just want my kids to do whatever it is they love, if it’s drums, dance, singing, I just want to help them find whatever it is they are going to be passionate about. For me, it was always soccer, but for my kids, it may not be, and that’s great as long as they are passionate about something!

The Healthy: Talking about your Serta partnership, we’re careful not to preach to readers that they should “get more sleep.” For anyone who’s not getting enough sleep, that’s not by choice. Especially for those of us who are taking care of family, we fight to get the most out of every hour of the day. What inspired you to be part of this campaign?

Sydney Leroux:  What inspired me to be part of this campaign is the deep understanding of the role that quality sleep plays in both my athletic performance and overall well-being. As a professional athlete and a mother, I constantly strive to balance intense training with the demands of family life. Through this campaign, I wanted to highlight how essential it is to have a supportive and comfortable sleep environment, not just for athletes but for anyone juggling a busy life.

The Serta iComfortPro has five support zones designed for full body alignment, so it aligns perfectly with my need for optimal rest and recovery. By sharing my personal experience and insights, I hope to shed light on how good sleep isn’t just about clocking in hours but about the quality of rest we get. This campaign isn’t about telling people to get more sleep but about showing how investing in the right tools can significantly enhance the quality of sleep we do get. It’s about providing solutions and inspiration for those who are already doing their best to manage their time and commitments.

The Healthy: Is there a sleep rule or routine you try to follow?

Sydney Leroux: I usually like to go to bed early. I make sure the room is very cold and dark, and I usually watch a show before I go to bed!

The Healthy: What’s one self-care ritual you refuse to skip?

Sydney Leroux: I love getting my nails done about every two weeks, and I love getting facials!

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