Transforming pain to power, USA Field Hockey Olympian Megan Valzonis keeps her late daughter’s spirit alive while now expecting her first son
USA Women’s Field Hockey Athlete Megan Valzonis warms up during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: USA Field Hockey
Olympian Megan Valzonis pointed to her forearm to show off her ink — MJV — during an interview with Female Athlete News in February.
Mallory James Valzonis.
Solemn peace flickered on Megan’s face reflecting a mother’s connection to her daughter. MJV was a part of the USA Women’s Field Hockey family months before the United Eagle’s made their triumphant return to the Olympic stage in July 2024.
MJV didn’t have a physical presence in Paris, France, but her spirit lived in her mom’s conviction to walk out God’s plan for her life. Megan lost her baby in March 2024 and then was selected to go to the Olympics a few months later, all the while staring down the feelings of anxiety, love, passion, and pride of country on the biggest athletic stage in the world.
“I can do hard things,” Megan said. “I went through one of the hardest things a woman’s body could ever go through.”
The Valzonises found out they were pregnant two weeks before the national women’s team left for Rachi, India. Ranchi was the last FIH qualifier, meaning the last chance to make it into the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I was supposed to go,” Megan said. “That’s why I had to tell the team early, so obviously I wasn’t going to be on any selection list. Whatever (David Passmore) sent out, I was on none of it. I had 40 plus people there to support me. When they were in Ranchi, that’s when we found out that (MJV) was sick.”
The United Eagles broke their eight-year streak of not playing in the Olympics in Ranchi. And, Megan was at home knowing that she was a high-risk pregnancy.
“When they came back, I sent a message out saying this is going on, I’m still pregnant, but I’m still high risk,” the 26-year-old said. “I told them, let’s keep it professional or I’ll cry. But I love every single one of you, and if you need to talk or I need to talk, I’m an open book. It was very special to have that space even in an Olympic year. They were obviously preparing for the Olympics, and I was not. I was preparing to have a new role that I was happy to step into.”
Megan’s mindset was futuristic. She said she was envisioning what it was going to take to earn a spot on the 2028 LA Olympic roster.
But, then the day came, when the couple went to a routine doctor’s appointment and they learned that MJV no longer had a heartbeat. MJV had succumbed to Turner’s Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects girls and women, characterized by a missing or incomplete second X chromosome.
Megan Valzonis and her husband Stuart at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: USA Field Hockey
On April 3, 2024, Megan had MJV surgically removed. She was 19 weeks. The women’s head field hockey coach, David Passmore, and the USA Women’s National Field Hockey team, embraced Megan’s loss alongside her.
Not only did they offer her unconditional love and support, but also Passmore allowed her to rejoin the team in trainings and an opportunity to play in the Olympics.
“David is a father of five and he said, ‘we’re going to support you through this,’” Megan said. '“So when he found out that she was sick, he was 100 percent supportive and 100 percent there. And he went on to give me the opportunity, to even have a chance, to go to the Olympics, which was unimaginable, just kindness.”
Megan knew that her feelings were fleeting but also that her relationship with MJV is eternal. She said she considers herself the first mom on the USA squad and shared that the other athletes acknowledge MJV.
During the USA vs Spain match, Megan was part of an iconic moment in the program’s history. It started with Ashley Hoffman, who had a breathless stop on the goal line. Spain had the advantage on a corner play, however, USA transitioned from Hoffman, to Valzonis, who ran to the baseline, passed the ball right, which bounced off the pads of Spain’s goalie, where Phia Gladieux finished the shot off her back foot. The game ended 1-1.
“Being able to step onto the field at the Olympics, my thoughts were, I’m not doing it for myself or self righteousness, clout, whatever, it’s for my daughter,” Megan said. “It’s for all the women who have ever lost a child.”
Megan Valzonis shows off her ink, initials of MJV. Photo: Submitted
She continued: “it’s the first trimester. You don’t tell anybody anything. You’re alone. But, for me, a lot of people knew. For me I had a community. It was like, getting onto that field was important, to fight for my position, for our country, for those women who weren’t able to share their voices and their stories. It’s very vulnerable.”
USA Field Hockey published Megan’s story at the conclusion of the Olympics.
“We released it at the Olympics,” she said. “It does take a lot of healing. The field was that healing. It was such a mindless thing for me to play the sport. Not overthink, or be sad.”
Being part of the goal, she said, “that was for my daughter and for the women who haven’t been able to feel that.”
What’s even more inspiring than that? Megan and Stuart are expecting baby number two in July.
“I have had anxiety,” she said. “I didn’t know when she had passed. And, there are weeks in between doctor’s visits. I had to tell myself, God is in control and this is the most natural thing that a woman’s body can do. Manage the anxiety and let it go and give it to the Lord. And trusting his ultimate plan for us. Being patient.”
One scripture that she refers to is Philippians 4, 4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Megan said she and Stuart continue to trust their Christian faith.
“We have trusted the Lord,” she said. “And whatever is going to happen is going to happen. It took a lot of crying sessions and holding each other to get through this. My whole perspective has changed. My perspective is give it your best and that’s enough.”
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