Juanita seamlessly transitioned from dominating the basketball court to embracing the beautiful chaos of motherhood with her twins.
Her story is a powerful reminder that life's greatest victories often come from the most unexpected changes.
Q: Juanita, what brought you to Australia, and how did your journey unfold from there?
"Coming to Australia from Hong Kong in 2012 was a leap into the unknown. I came here to study physiotherapy, and while it was exciting, it was also lonely at first, I didn’t know anyone. But basketball changed everything. I started playing pick-up games, met incredible people who became my closest friends, and even met the love of my life on the court. Basketball gave me a sense of belonging and connection in a completely new world.”
Hearing this warmed my heart. It reminded me of how powerful community can be, especially when you’re starting fresh. For Juanita, the court wasn’t just a place to play, it was where her journey in Australia truly began. That same openness and resilience carried her through the next big chapter of her life: motherhood.
As we talked, Juanita opened up about her pregnancy with twins, sharing her fears, excitement, and how her life completely transformed.
Q: Juanita, how did becoming a mum of twins change things for you?
"Oh, where do I start? It’s like being on two courts at once with no timeouts! But honestly, the teamwork aspect of basketball really prepared me for this. Raising twins is all about communication, adapting on the fly, and celebrating the little wins. It’s hard, but it’s also so rewarding.
I used to be BALL IS LIFE, but now I see that there’s so much more to life — hahaha. I never saw myself as super motherly or patient, or even resilient. But motherhood has definitely shown me how much I’ve grown in these aspects."
Juanita’s words hit home. As a mum myself, I know the kind of love, hustle, and growth that parenting demands. It’s a whole new game, requiring a different kind of stamina and teamwork, but the rewards are undeniable.
The journey might be tough, but as Juanita says, "it’s all about celebrating the little wins — and those moments make it worth everything."
Q: What surprised you most about motherhood?
"How much I’ve grown. My twins have taught me patience and presence in ways I never imagined. And the love? It’s overwhelming in the best way."
But honestly, the hardest challenge isn’t about learning to take care of my twins — it’s about taking care of them while remembering to take care of myself."
I couldn’t agree more. Parenthood is a journey that stretches and strengthens you in ways you never expect. It challenges you to balance care for your children with care for yourself — a delicate dance of selflessness and self-preservation.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where Juanita shares the lessons she’s learned from her twin journey and how she finds balance in the chaos.