A Mother — and so much more

For Mother's Day, we met with three women for whom motherhood is just one facet of their lives — and far from the only one! An author, a fitness coach and Koh-Lanta adventurer, and a surgeon:Mary,Sophia, and Emilie share their passions, their choices, and most importantly, who they are besides being "moms."

Behind her glasses and knitting needles, Mary Orchard brings stories to life. She writes novels, but refuses to be defined by a single label. Neither “mom” nor “author” is enough to capture who she is. “Being a mother is part of me, but it’s not all of me,” she explains simply.

What drives her every day? Giving life to the characters in her head, putting them down on the page, and seeing them resonate with readers — especially teenagers. “Books can really have an impact on young people at that age,” she notes.

Alongside her writing, Mary also works in technical support for an IT company — a dual daily life that isn’t always restful. “I don’t sleep much,” she says with a laugh.

One key to making it all work: the support of her partner, who is fully involved in their family life. “I probably feel guilty for being a little less present than other moms, but I’m more fulfilled doing what I love — and that makes me a better mother.”

Mary also feels this internal conflict in her professional world. When she travels to book fairs, people often ask how she manages her child while she’s away. “That’s never something anyone asks my partner when he travels for work…”

Still, this double life — as a mother and a writer — leads to meaningful moments. Like the day her son chose a backpack with strawberries for the new school year, and someone told him, “Strawberries are for girls.”
“I didn’t say anything… but I decided to write a book about it.”
It’s her way of using storytelling to share her values.

For Mary, being a writer also comes with a sense of responsibility: “I have to be aligned with what I say — both in my books and in my parenting.”

And what does she hope her son remembers about her?
“That he never held me back or stopped me from doing anything I wanted to do.”

A former communications executive turned fitness coach, Sophia Mansouri made a complete shift in her professional life — and it all began after the birth of her daughter. She returned to university, earned a degree in Sports Science (STAPS), launched her own business… and set off on a mission of self-discovery and pushing limits.

For herself, and for other women, she has one clear goal: to unlock the power of women through sport, especially during and after motherhood.
"I wanted my daughter to be raised by a fulfilled mother," she shares.

When Sophia is with her daughter, she’s fully in “mom mode.” And when she’s on the field, she’s fully a coach. It took time to build this balance, but it allows her not to lose herself.
"My own mother put herself aside to dedicate everything to her role as a mom — and I felt guilty that she never got to chase her dreams because of me."

So Sophia chose to take the leap. The birth of her daughter was a real turning point:
"It felt like I gave birth to my daughter and to myself at the same time."

After several attempts, she finally made it onto the 2024 season of Koh-Lanta. For 50 days, she endured survival, sport, and scarcity — with no contact at all with her daughter.
"It was the first time I felt such a deep sense of missing someone," she recalls — even though her identity as a mother remained ever-present during the adventure.
"I’d think about her snack times, I pictured her face during the challenges… and I felt guilty for having left her at home for 50 days."

But today, her 4-year-old says it with pride: her mom went on an adventure!
"Thanks to my work as a coach and my time on Koh-Lanta, I can share beautiful values with my daughter. I want to give her a positive role model."

And although becoming a mother once scared her, Sophia now says it with conviction:
She’s never felt as free as she has since her daughter was born.

What does she hope her daughter remembers about her?
"That being a woman doesn’t make you weaker. And that you should always follow your dreams — even if it takes time."

What Emilie loves most about her work as a urological surgeon is the hands-on aspect: diagnosing, treating, healing… with her own two hands. It’s a profession that demands precision, passion, and serious organizational skills — especially when you’re also managing a full family life.

She chose urology after meeting women in the field during medical school who seemed fulfilled in both their careers and personal lives:
"That’s when I realized you could be a surgeon and have a family, and time for yourself."

Today, Emilie works in private practice, giving her the freedom to tailor her schedule to her reality as a mother:
"I manage my own calendar of consultations and surgeries — that’s what allows me to balance such a demanding job with family life."

That flexibility is also made possible thanks to her husband, who’s also self-employed.
"He’s incredibly present — an exceptional father. Thanks to him, I can pursue my passion with peace of mind."

One especially memorable moment from wearing both hats? Giving birth to her second child — in the same clinic where she works.
"I knew the team: the anesthesiologist, the midwives, the OB… I felt completely at ease — it was almost like giving birth at home," she recalls.

For Emilie, being a mother influences how she approaches her work:
"When I see children in consultation, I welcome them the way I’d want mine to be welcomed."

Her medical knowledge also plays a key role in everyday life, both for her and those around her:
"I’m the one who reassures my kids and my loved ones when they’re dealing with little health scares — I know how to stay calm."

And for those who think motherhood and ambition don’t mix, Emilie has a clear message:
"Everything is possible — but it takes planning, communication, and support."

What does she hope her children will remember about her?
"That you can always put your family first and still make space for yourself — even with a demanding job. You can be a loving mom and still prioritize yourself sometimes."

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In conclusion, we asked Mary, Sophia, and Emilie for their best advice to anyone hesitating to become a mother out of fear of putting their dreams and projects on hold.

Mary:“It won’t be easy every day to balance your dreams with family life, but it’s doable — and even essential to maintaining the right balance.”

Sophia:“If you give yourself the means to become — or stay — the person you want to be, it’s possible! Whether you’re a mom or not.

”Emilie:“Everything is achievable with the right support system. It’s also thanks to our friends and family that we’re able to pursue careers we’re passionate about.”

@tajinebanane
Written by Bertrand Lamy