At one point in her career, Michelle Wie West was hailed as the female equivalent of Tiger Woods on the LPGA Tour. Her exceptional strokeplay and relentless determination shaped her into a formidable force in women’s golf. Her career trajectory, often compared to Woods’, imbued her with a heightened sense of confidence and an insatiable desire to win. In her pursuit to emulate Woods, West adopted an intense training regimen, similar to that of Woods.
However, the rigorous training took a heavy toll on Woods, whose career has been marred by health issues and accidents. The man who once boasted 82 PGA Tour victories now stands as a mere shadow of his former self. This unfortunate fate was not exclusive to Woods, as West also grappled with similar setbacks. It was only recently that the LPGA Tour professional acknowledged her regret for “training like a man”. A few months prior, West revealed that her premature retirement in 2023 was “forced” due to injuries, a decision she had to make much sooner than anticipated.
West’s career trajectory and unexpected early retirement still weigh heavily on her. Every misstep in her journey resurfaces, affecting her emotionally. A recent Instagram post by @seaneinhaus, titled “A Love Letter to Athletes”, struck a chord with West. The post threw light on the highs and lows of a professional sports career – the fame, fortune, loneliness, frustration, uncertainty, and stress. The post concluded with an image reading “For the love of the game”, a sentiment that resonated deeply with West. “Oh…this hit hard,” she shared on her Instagram story.
The post’s section about the loneliness of a professional athlete’s journey elicited a “Wow the feels, the memories” response from West. @seaninhaus’s musings on the dual personalities of an athlete and a person, especially when starting young, received a nod of agreement from West. The phrase “For the love of the game” was acknowledged by West as “powerful” and hitting “right on the head”.
West was visibly moved by the post, further cementing her reputation for being candid and expressive in the face of adversity. A notable example was her reaction to the general disregard for mothers.
In 2020, West embraced motherhood with the birth of her daughter, Makenna Kamalei Yoona West. While still active on the LPGA Tour, she efficiently juggled her professional commitments with her new role as a mother. In October 2024, she welcomed her son, Jagger Jerry YooJun West, into the world. This time, being retired, she was solely focused on raising her child.
However, a recent incident sparked her realization of societal attitudes towards mothers. West recounted how the courtesy extended towards her during pregnancy dwindled post-delivery. She lamented the harsh treatment she encountered while traveling with her young child, stating, “all of a sudden when you are traveling with young kids, people are a–holes.”
Michelle Wie West’s emotional struggles provide a poignant glimpse into the tribulations of a retired professional athlete and a mother. These shared experiences not only humanize her but also serve as a reminder of the immense pressures and challenges faced by athletes. The question remains: how does one make sense of these emotional upheavals? Your thoughts and insights are welcome in the comments section.