Medals, Marathons & Motherhood

Jessica Stenson is one of Australia's most decorated marathon runners. A three-time Olympian, she has won three consecutive Commonwealth Games marathon medals — including gold at Birmingham 2022, where she became the first Australian woman to win the event since 2006. She is also a mum of two: Billy and Ellie.

What makes Jess's story stand out isn't just the medals — it's that she ran a marathon PB of 2:24:01 just seven months after Ellie was born, qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics in the process.

In 2025, Jess broke national marathon record to become the fastest Australian woman in history over the distance at Valencia Marathon with 2:21:25.

As Mother's Day approaches, Shokz caught up with Jessica to hear about the juggle, the mindset, and what keeps her showing up — on the roads and at home.

In Her Own Words

Q: How would you want your kids to describe their mum?

Jess: As loving, fun, genuine and someone who stays true to her values. 

Q: Does running mean something different to you now as a mum?

Jess: The process of preparing for Marathons was starting to feel like a grind in the year leading up to my first pregnancy. I now have a greater appreciation for the role that running plays in my life both physically and mentally, and I am enjoying the challenge of preparing for races more than ever.

Q: What's a skill from elite running that turns out to be surprisingly useful as a mum?

Jess: Staying composed in chaotic situations – that goes both ways.

Q: What's one thing about your daily routine that would surprise people?

Jess: The lack of routine when it comes to training times. Every week tends to look a bit different, depending on my family, work and husband’s commitments. I would say the most predictable variables are meals and bed time.

Q: What caught you off guard about running after pregnancy?

Jess: How much I would crave running again after the time off! That first walk / jog back was hard but so liberating.

Q: What was the first run after having your baby that actually felt good?

Jess: It took at least 4 weeks of jogging for it to feel somewhat natural again - in patches.

Q: After going through pregnancy and coming back to elite running, what surprised you most about your body?

Jess: I had not fully appreciated how incredibly adaptive the human body is until going through the process of pregnancy, recovery from c- sections, breastfeeding and returning to Marathon training and competition. There were periods where I doubted that I would get back to my best but I found the progress from week to week very motivating and fulfilling.

Q: What would your pre-kids self think if she saw your morning routine now?

Jess: I think she would be surprised at how much I have learnt to multitask, adapt to changes and squeeze into a day.

Q: What's your best advice for getting back into running after giving birth?

Jess: Avoid the temptation to compare to yourself pre-pregnancy. Instead, draw satisfaction from your progress and celebrate the little wins with your team.

Q: What kind of support at home makes your running possible?

Jess: Belief and a sense that we are all in this together

Q: Which Shokz headphone do you usually wear while running?

Jess: The OpenRun Pro 2.

Q: How important are open-ear headphones for your running?

Jess: I wouldn’t wear any other product running. I feel so much safer when I can hear traffic and noises around me, particularly when I am running early in the mornings.

Q: What's on your playlist right now?

Jess: I love listening to feel-good nostalgic tunes that take me back to moments in my teenage year and early adulthood. I enjoy a wide variety of genres and artists! I also love listening to podcasts and audiobooks when I’m jogging / cross-training.

Gear That Goes the Distance

Jessica runs in the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 — our most iconic bone-conduction sports headphone, built for runners who need to stay aware of their surroundings without sacrificing sound. For those who want a sleeker, stylish option, the OpenDots ONE and OpenFit Pro offers open-ear listening in a modern design that moves with your lifestyle.

Whether you're out before sunrise or stealing thirty minutes between school runs — Shokz keeps you connected to your world and your music, safely.

Find your perfect run companion at shokz.com.au.