She Leads the Field - The Reality Behind Building a Business and Raising a Family

Since January, She Leads the Field has introduced us to remarkable women from across the field sports industry. We've heard stories of determination, ambition, resilience, and success. Each interview has offered a glimpse into the journeys that have shaped these women and the paths they've forged within our community.

This month, I wanted to do something a little different. Rather than sharing someone else's story, I wanted to share a little of my own.

When I started Nordic Field & Sport, I knew it would require hard work, commitment, and more than a few leaps of faith. What I perhaps underestimated was the emotional balancing act that comes with building a business while trying to be fully present for the people who matter most. Like many business owners, I wear multiple hats. Some days I'm focused on strategy, partnerships, events and planning for the future. Other days I'm answering emails before the school run, taking calls between family commitments and squeezing work into every available hour. There is no neat separation between business owner and mum. The two roles are constantly intertwined.

The challenge isn't simply managing time. It's managing expectations, my own as much as anyone else's. As women, we often place enormous pressure on ourselves to excel in every area of life. We want to build successful careers, support our families, maintain friendships, contribute to our communities and somehow still find time for ourselves. The reality is that something always has to give.

For a long time, I viewed stepping back as a weakness. If I wasn't constantly pushing forward, I felt I was falling behind. If I wasn't available every minute of the day, I worried opportunities would pass me by. What I've learned over the past few years is that sustainable success looks very different from relentless hustle. Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is pause. Not because we're giving up. Not because we've lost momentum. But because we recognise that rest is part of the process.

Running a business is often portrayed as a nonstop pursuit of growth, but behind every milestone are moments of uncertainty, exhaustion and self-doubt. There are days when the to-do list feels endless, when balancing work and family seems impossible and when the pressure to keep moving forward becomes overwhelming. I've come to realise that allowing myself the space to slow down occasionally doesn't make me less committed. It makes me more effective, more focused and more present for both my business and my family.

As a mum, those moments matter even more.

The years pass quickly, and while I am incredibly proud of what Nordic Field & Sport continues to become, I am equally proud of being there for the everyday moments that make family life special. School events, family dinners, weekend adventures and simply being available when needed are things that cannot be postponed until a quieter season because, in truth, that quieter season rarely arrives. If there is one lesson I continue to learn, it's that balance isn't something we achieve once and then maintain forever. It's something we constantly adjust and redefine as life changes around us.

This series has highlighted women leading from the front in so many different ways. What continues to inspire me is not their perfection, but their honesty. Behind every success story is someone navigating challenges, making sacrifices, adapting plans and finding their own version of what success looks like. For me, success isn't simply about business growth. It's about creating something meaningful while remaining true to the values that matter most. It's about building a business I'm proud of without losing sight of the family and life I'm building alongside it.

As we move into the second half of the year, I want to thank everyone who has shared their stories through She Leads the Field, and everyone who has followed along. The conversations have been inspiring, insightful and a reminder that leadership comes in many forms.

Sometimes leadership is about pushing forward.
Sometimes it's about knowing when to pause.
And sometimes it's about having the confidence to do both.

— Amanda
Founder, Nordic Field & Sport