Is it really possible to have both a thriving career and a growing family in 2025—or is that just wishful thinking?

Picture this: you're at the top of your game, literally. You're an elite athlete like Ella Toone or Alessia Russo, and conversations about family planning aren't just personal—they're public, scrutinized, and often considered taboo. But in a bold interview, Toone and Russo shattered the silence around pregnancy in football, asking a question on many minds: Can you start a family without sidelining your career dreams? (Watch their discussion here).

Why Their Conversation Matters Now

Here's what's wild: the challenges faced by Toone and Russo aren't unique to football. In today's world, more people than ever—across all industries—are wrestling with the logistics, timing, and social pressures of starting a family. According to recent data from the OECD, the average age of first-time mothers has climbed steadily, with career considerations cited as a leading reason for family planning delays.

But athletes put a new spin on the debate. Injuries heal, contracts expire, but the biological clock? It doesn't wait. The sports world, with its rigid schedules and extreme physical demands, has become a microcosm for broader work-vs-parenthood dilemmas faced by millions.

The Data Behind Modern Family Planning

Now, let’s get analytical. Surveys from the UK’s Office for National Statistics show that in the past decade, flexible work arrangements and improved parental policies have led to a 21% increase in professionals (especially women) feeling confident about balancing careers and children. Yet, access—to fertility education, resources, and non-clinical options—remains a huge barrier.

In athletics, the risks and rewards are magnified. There’s a persistent myth that athletes must pause, or even end, their careers to become parents. But Toone and Russo’s frank discussion challenges this, hinting at a new era where choice—not compromise—is possible.

Work and Fertility: The Balancing Act Gets a Tech Upgrade

So, what’s reshaping the landscape? Spoiler: it’s not just changing attitudes. Technology and at-home fertility solutions are empowering everyone, including high-profile professionals, to approach conception on their terms.

Take the rise of at-home insemination kits—a market that’s ballooned by 34% year-over-year according to Global Market Insights. These solutions provide privacy, flexibility, and, crucially, control over one’s fertility timeline without the need for disruptive clinical appointments.

And here’s where companies like MakeAMom’s family planning resources come into play. Their at-home insemination kits, tailored for various sensitivities and needs, offer a discreet, cost-effective alternative—something especially useful for anyone (including athletes) who prize privacy and predictable routines. With a reported average success rate of 67%, these tools are helping to normalize and demystify assisted reproduction, both for celebrities and everyday folks.

From the Locker Room to the Boardroom: 2025’s Fertility Conversation

What does all this mean for you? Toone and Russo’s openness isn’t just a footnote in sports history—it’s a reflection of a rapidly evolving work culture. Whether you’re chasing a championship or a promotion, the expectation is shifting: workplaces must support family-building journeys, not stand in their way.

What’s more, the growing use of data-driven fertility tools and community support networks (think expert Q&As, TTC groups, and wellness platforms like ours) mean that you don’t have to go it alone. In fact, the most successful outcomes are seen among those who combine access to technology with social and workplace support—just as top athletes rely on a team to succeed.

So, Can You Have It All? Here’s the Bottom Line:

• Fertility is no longer a taboo topic—thanks to leaders like Toone and Russo.
• Tech is empowering personal choice: At-home solutions and digital health trackers are giving everyone more control.
• Workplaces are (slowly) catching up: Parental leave, flexible scheduling, and even dedicated fertility benefits are more common than ever.

But the real secret? The conversation—about timing, methods, and options—has to start early. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek out community, and leverage science-backed resources.

What’s Your Game Plan?

If there’s one takeaway from Toone, Russo, and the 2025 zeitgeist, it’s this: the dream of balancing career success with family aspirations is more achievable—and more supported—than ever before. The real question isn’t if you can do both, but how you’ll shape a plan that works for you.

Curious about the latest in at-home conception, or want to connect with a community navigating similar choices? Explore resources that fit your lifestyle, like those offered by MakeAMom’s fertility solutions, and join the conversation.

How are you planning for your own “both-and” future? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments—let’s break the silence, together.