4.2
July 16, 2013

Before and After: An Olympian Pregnancy. {Photos}

Bonus: Also via ESPN’s Body Issue: Chris Sharma, the Golden Boy of Climbing, goes nude with his girlfriend —the annual phototacular is downright old-school Olympian—beautiful without being sexual, inspiring without being defeating.

Via ESPN’s annual nude shoot of men, women athletes of all ages and races:

“Kerri Walsh Jennings pulled off perhaps the most impressive feat of all, giving birth to a child between shoots for ESPN The Magazine.

The beach volleyball superstar, who has won three consecutive Olympic gold medals with Misty May-Treanor, told the Worldwide Leader that even a serious injury feels like a flesh wound after giving birth.

Props to her and all of the other mothers out there.”

She told ESPN: “I didn’t realize how vulnerable I’d feel upon the release of the photos. … I am happy and I am proud…

…[e]verything else seems minor compared to the soul-shaking thing that is labor. … I respect my body more than I have in my life. It’s not perfect, but I can’t tell you how proud I am of my body.”

From Huff Post, via People:

“This was very fun and a bit scary,” Jennings wrote on her Facebook page Tuesday of the revealing experience.

In an interview with ESPN earlier this month, the 6-foot-2-inch three-time Olympic gold medalist admitted that the post-baby photo shoot had been especially nerve-wracking…

Since the beautiful photos have emerged, many women have stepped forward to laud Jennings for her bravery, with some calling her an “inspiration.” Jennings says she is amazed at the outpouring of encouragement.

“I am so happy and relieved that people are receiving my pictures so warmly,” she told People.

 

 

Relephant:

NSFW: ESPN’s 2014 Body Issue features buff world-class athletes in the Buff.

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