Between the target and the toddler: How motherhood changed Gaby Schloesser’s approach to archery

“The moments I’m at the shooting field are the only moments I have for myself – so I try to make the best out of it.”

For Gaby Schloesser, that thought says a lot about where life has taken her over the last few years.

Motherhood has not taken her away from elite archery. Instead, it has changed the way she looks at it. The pressure, the expectations and the constant chase for results are still there.

But now, somewhere between training sessions, competitions and life with daughter Luna, the sport feels calmer, more present and more meaningful.

On International Mother’s Day, Gaby’s experience offers a glimpse into how motherhood has reshaped life at the elite level of the sport.

“I feel like becoming a mother influenced me in a really positive way,” Gaby said. “Sometimes, as elite archers, we focus a lot on results and not on the process.”

 “Now, the moments I’m on the field are the only moments I have for myself, so I try to make the best out of it.”

The 32-year-old mum explained that motherhood has helped her enjoy archery more while also feeling mentally stronger than before.

That shift in mindset has become one of the defining parts of her journey. Becoming a mother did not suddenly make balancing life easier – if anything, it made every hour more valuable.

“The biggest challenge has been understanding that I don’t have the same amount of time to train as I used to,” she explained.

“It’s about making the best out of the small number of hours I have and still trying to reach my best level.”

At the same time, motherhood has also brought a greater sense of peace and perspective.

“I feel stronger than before,” she added. “Archery was the most important thing in my life before, and it still is, but in a different way now.”

Much of that journey has also been shared with husband and fellow archer Mike Schloesser. Between competitions, travel schedules and raising Luna, life now revolves around constant adjustments.

“We didn’t know what parenthood was going to bring,” Gaby admitted with a laugh. “How difficult it would be to manage training times and competitions, who goes where, if we can travel together... it’s not easy.”

Still, the pair have found their rhythm by simply supporting one another through the challenges that come with balancing elite sport and family life.

“When things don’t go the way we want, we just try to be there for each other.”

Away from competition, Gaby often shares glimpses of life with Luna – from quiet family moments to training sessions balanced around motherhood.

In a Mother’s Day post shared on Instagram, she spoke about wanting to inspire other women to believe they can still pursue their dreams while raising children.

“I want athletes to know that becoming a mom changes a lot of things, but at the same time we still can do it,” she said. “If you really want it, and if you have good support around you, you can still be the best version of yourself.”

The reality, Gaby admits, is not always easy.

Travelling, training schedules and competition life now come with an entirely different rhythm. But despite the challenges, it is a life she says she “wouldn’t want any other way”.

Luna, meanwhile, has become an inseparable part of that journey – not simply present in the background, but growing up around the sport and the community surrounding it.

“It is really cool to see Luna growing up around all the people I love and all the people that support us,” said the new mum.

“We didn’t know how many people would be there for us. Friends, family, even people at competitions – it’s really special.”

“She grabs our equipment, plays with the arrows... it just warms my heart. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

That feeling followed Gaby into one of the biggest events of the season – the Vegas Shoot – where she finished third while Mike claimed the title.

“This year was more challenging because Luna was there,” she admitted. “Mike needed energy and focus, and I was trying to balance everything. It felt like holding a big snowball that I was trying not to drop.”

Thankfully, support from friends helped make the week more manageable.

“We had my best friend there helping with Luna. It was difficult to imagine at first, but once we were there, everything worked out.”

This season has already included the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit and several events in the United States, but Gaby said she is also learning where to slow down.

“I competed in the first World Cup stage and a few events in the US,” she said. “But I think it was a bit too much. I’m going to slow down a little this season.”

“I won’t be going to everything. I need to balance things better now.”

That means choosing events more carefully, balancing travel with family life and accepting that things cannot always look the same as before motherhood.

Still, the excitement for competition remains.

“I’m looking forward to SoCal,” she said. “My parents live near the US-Mexico border, so it will be special.”

For Gaby, success now looks a little different than it once did.

There are still competitions to shoot and goals to chase, but there is also Luna, family and the quieter moments in between that now carry just as much meaning.

And perhaps that is what motherhood has truly changed for her – not the love for archery, but the way she carries it through life.

Images courtesy of Gaby Schloesser.