By Alix Klineman
Movement has always been part of who I am.
As a professional beach volleyball player and Olympic gold medalist, my life revolved around training, competing, and pushing my body. For years, movement meant performance.
Then I became a mom.
Motherhood completely changed my perspective. Today, movement isn't about medals—it's about moments.
It's the walk to get coffee on a sleepy morning. It's an afternoon at the beach. It's chasing my son through the park, taking my daughter on a neighborhood stroll, or squeezing in one more family adventure before the day is over.
I've realized that movement doesn't have to be intense to be meaningful. Some of the simplest adventures become the memories our kids will carry with them forever.
One of the biggest lessons motherhood has taught me is that getting outside isn't just good for my kids—it's good for me, too.
Fresh air has a way of resetting everyone. When the kids are restless, we go outside. When the day feels overwhelming, we go outside. It almost always helps.
Living near the beach, we try to take full advantage of where we live. I always think, what's the point of living by the ocean if you don't actually spend time there?
Of course, every parent knows that getting out the door isn't always easy. With two kids, everything takes more planning, more gear, and more energy. There was a period where I found myself going to the beach less—not because I wanted to, but because getting everyone there felt like such an undertaking.
That's why I appreciate products that remove friction instead of adding more.
Ellavate has made it so much easier for our family to keep saying yes to getting outside. Whether we're climbing hills, walking through soft sand, or packing everything that comes with two little kids, it gives us the confidence to go more often and explore a little farther.
What I also love is that it isn't just built for one parent. Some days it's me, some days it's my husband, and some days it's grandparents taking the kids on an adventure. The electric assist makes it easy for whoever's on kid duty that day.
Because movement isn't really about exercise.
It's about connection.
It's about one more stop at the playground, one more beach sunset, one more walk after dinner.
As an athlete, movement was once about competition. As a mom, it's about building a life filled with adventure, fresh air, and time together.
If my son and daughter grow up remembering a childhood spent exploring outside, then I'll know we did something right.
