Dana Vollmer notched up five gold medals while competing in three Olympics, so competing in the 2017 Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa, Arizona, later this month may not serve as the largest stage she’s ever competed on, but it may ultimately garner more attention than any of her earlier trips to the gold medal podium.
Vollmer is expecting her second child in July, so she’ll be competing in the meet’s 50-meter freestyle contest while 24 weeks pregnant. As if that wasn’t noteworthy enough, Vollmer has garnered gold butterfly, freestyle, and medley medals, but she’s never won a major 50-meter freestyle competition.
None of that seems to dissuade Dana, who has been tracking her effort and progress on her website, Momma on a Mission. Her doctors have given her the green light to continue her intense training regimen prior to the event, and the noteworthy difference in her approach is that her swimsuit sponsor, Tyr, is making a custom suit for her to accommodate her growing belly as the race approaches.
While Vollmer’s undertaking is certainly impressive, given the circumstances, it’s not without precedent. Alysia Montaño, a five-time national champion, ran the 800-meter while 34 weeks pregnant. She finished last in her heat and a substantial 35 seconds off her personal best, just weeks before giving birth. Here she is discussing her finish:
It’s a safe bet that an athlete of Vollmer’s pedigree isn’t just doing this to prove a point or for the novelty of it. Her five gold medals tell us that she’s an athlete who expects to win. She’ll be facing a new challenge in a few weeks.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.