(NEXSTAR) - Kendall Coyne Schofield, a three-time Olympian and Team USA forward, is embarking on a challenging journey as she prepares for the 2026 Milan Olympics, marking her first as a mother. Coyne Schofield, who has both Olympic gold and silver medals to her name, captained Team USA during the 2022 Beijing Olympics. She is now focused on the upcoming season, which begins with a training camp in Lake Placid, New York, where she is joined by 30 players vying for a spot on the final roster. "It definitely hasn't been easy," Coyne Schofield said, reflecting on her journey back to the ice after giving birth. "But the heart of this journey is what makes it so special." Coyne Schofield first joined Team USA in 2007 as a U18 player and made her senior team debut in 2010. Her Olympic journey began in 2014 at the Sochi Games, where she won a silver medal, followed by a gold medal in Pyeongchang in 2018, and another silver in Beijing in 2022. She was the first woman to compete in the NHL All-Star skills competition in 2019, showcasing her speed in the fastest skater contest. Outside of Team USA, Coyne Schofield plays for and captains the Minnesota Frost in the Professional Women's Hockey League. As she prepares for the Milan Olympics, Coyne Schofield emphasizes the importance of teamwork and support from her teammates. "Every day we wake up, we have to be the best that we can be individually, so that collectively, when we come together, we're the greatest team in the world," she said. Coyne Schofield's journey as a first-time mom has brought new perspective and patience to her life. "Good day, bad day, my son just puts everything into perspective," she shared, highlighting the balance between her athletic career and family life. She advises other athletes who are starting families while maintaining elite performance levels, saying, "You can do it. You can definitely do it. Surround yourself with those who are going to help you get there." All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by Nexstar. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by Nexstar staff before being published