Each year, Colossal’s Super Mom competition honors mothers across North America who live with strength, grace and a lot of heart. This year, it’s shining a light on four women who make it look effortless (even when it’s anything but).
There’s an Iowa mom facing metastatic breast cancer with unshakable gratitude, a homeschooling mom who has mastered the art of the pivot, a nurse practitioner who stays calm in the chaos and a California mom whose faith keeps her going no matter what. Their stories, tips and hard-won wisdom are a reminder that the most beautiful thing about a mother is how she shows up.
The competition does a lot of good, too. Operated by Colossal, the nation’s leading professional fundraiser for purpose-driven competitions, Super Mom has raised more than $20.6 million since 2023, resulting in grants to Children’s Miracle Network® from DTCare and Action Initiative Team (AIT), both U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. That funding helps local children’s hospitals meet their most critical needs and provide essential pediatric care close to home.
Ahead, meet the 2026 Super Moms in their own words.
Kristi Foxen
A true champion, Kristi shows her children and community how to meet life’s toughest moments with courage and gratitude—and the support she’s built along the way has become a source of strength for everyone around her.
From her home in Epworth, Iowa, Kristi and her husband of 18 years lead their family with love and encouragement. Whether they’re cheering on son Drake at baseball, football or track meets, or watching daughter Haddie take the stage with her dance team, they celebrate each other, regardless of the score.
What is your superpower as a Super Mom?
“Giving 100 percent for my kids, no matter what! Living with metastatic breast cancer has allowed me to show them how to take care of what matters most and how nothing is more important than family.”
We may be moms, but we are individuals, too. What are you like outside of being a mother?
“I am a learner and a thriver. I’m also always trying to understand the why behind anything. I want to learn how we can find peace and a sense of control, even when things seem out of our hands. I’m also one you’ll find listening to or watching true crime. I like to learn what happened and understand our minds. I love to write poetry and stories about my experiences, specifically with my cancer.
I created and run our Cancer Support Circle at my workplace, as well as created a local support group called Inspire to assist others in all stages of cancer.”
Can you share a parenting tip?
“Be honest with your kids. We’ve all done things we wish we hadn’t, but sharing what we’ve learned helps them navigate their own challenges and successes.”
What do you learn from your kids?
“Have fun along the way! Goals are fantastic, but if you don’t stop and enjoy what’s getting you there, you’ll miss all the little things that end up being bigger than you imagined.”
What does it mean to you to support Children’s Miracle Network?
“Our children truly are our future. We owe it to them to have the best care and resources available so they can help lead and develop new skills and ways in the future. Supporting such a wonderful cause and seeing others support gives me so much hope for our next generation.”
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
“Life goes by way too fast. Enjoy the moments you have and be thankful.”
Courtney Rieger
In Port Orchard, Washington, Courtney and her growing family love spending time outdoors and staying busy together. As a homeschooling mom to Vivian, Valerie and Kobe, she’s closely involved in their day-to-day learning, and she makes a point of speaking to her kids as the capable people they are. Next up: welcoming a new baby, whose gender the family is keeping as a surprise!
What is the best part of being a mom?
“Watching your children’s confidence and personalities grow in front of your eyes. I also love when I can see traits of myself in them as they develop into their own people.”
What’s a parenting trick that makes your life easier?
“A hack I have to make parenting easier is to just go with the flow and redirect when things aren’t going as planned. I am a big planner, so I can get stressed out when things don’t go exactly how I envisioned. After multiple kids, I have learned that you’ve just got to let things go and roll with the punches. Life is too precious to spend every minute stressed out.”
Is there anything specific that you’d like readers to know?
“I would just love for readers to know that even though motherhood is hard, they’re doing a great job. The moment you start to question yourself as a parent already shows that you’re doing better than you even know. Motherhood is worth every single struggle and hardship. Nothing in life beats the love a mother gets to experience, and I am so grateful and proud to call myself a mom.”
Sara Rocchetta
As a nurse practitioner and mother of three, Sara is an expert in staying cool in the chaos. After earning her undergraduate and master’s degrees, she moved back to her small hometown in Ontario, Canada, and reconnected with Ryan, now her husband. Today, their children, Lyla, Ella and Beau, are the light of their lives, and the family finds joy in everything from everyday routines to weekend adventures.
What is the best part of being a mom?
“Being the person your babies run to with excitement and joy after a long day—and their safe space when things go wrong—is one of life’s greatest gifts. Experiencing life through their eyes and learning to appreciate the beauty in the simplest things is what truly matters. There is something so special about the genuine happiness and excitement found in even the most ordinary routines. What a privilege and blessing it is to be called Mom.”
How would you describe your approach to parenting?
“I aim to be authoritative. We encourage independence, set boundaries and try to implement reasonable consequences. Treating others as you want to be treated is a big motto in our house.”
How does your family spend time together?
“We are always out of the house! We try to stay very active and busy with our kiddos. We believe you should enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.”
Jelena Knoss
Jelena has a nurturing, generous heart that’s always called her to be there for others, and motherhood was a natural part of that calling. Today, she and her husband, Vince, live in Menlo Park, California, with their vibrant 12-year-old daughter, Viena, who has Down syndrome, and their adorable 3-year-old son, Valen. Through serious health setbacks, she’s stayed focused on what matters most: watching her children shine.
How would you describe your parenting style? What do you do a little differently?
“Having a child with special needs has really shaped the way I parent. Viena has taught me so much about patience, slowing down and giving kids the space to learn for themselves. I try not to immediately jump in when they’re struggling. I give them time to try, make mistakes and figure things out on their own. I’ve learned that sometimes the best thing I can do is guide them instead of always giving them the answer.”
Tell us your superpower as a Super Mom!
“I keep going, no matter what life puts in front of me. I’ve had a lot of health issues, including pancreatitis, spinal tumors and surgeries that left me unable to walk independently and, for a period of time, unable to physically be there for my son the way I wanted to be, all while raising a daughter with Down syndrome.
Life has definitely tested me, but my faith has carried me through some of my hardest moments and given me strength when I didn’t feel like I had any left. It helps me get back up, keep going and show up for my kids the best way I can.”
What’s your go-to parenting hack?
“I carry around a giant purse that I call my Mary Poppins bag. People joke that it’s a never-ending bag of fun because I always have coloring books, little toys or busy boards tucked inside. I think mealtimes are a great opportunity for families to talk and connect but I’m also realistic… kids can only sit still for so long. I’d much rather have them coloring or playing while still listening and chiming in than zoning out on a device. So I guess my parenting hack is carrying half the house around in my purse!”
