It is said that pregnancy and giving birth are probably the hardest challenges the body can undertake. So after this display of superhuman physical fortitude, one might rightly take a break to enjoy rest and recovery.

But not Cheyna Matthews.

Like she did four years ago when she returned to competitive football a few months after giving birth to son Josiah, the Reggae Girlz striker redefined norms by making another rapid comeback to the field — this time following the birth of her now three-month-old son Cairo.

Though shifting from childbirth back to elite athleticism in an astoundingly short time frame is not unique to Matthews, it is the manner in which she juggles her time on the field with mommy duties — almost simultaneously — that has won her admiration as the two tasks are never an easy balance.

The 29-year-old footballer acknowledges the challenge of balancing a professional career and motherhood, and as such, attributes her success doing both to God and unwavering family support.

“I would say God first, and it also requires a lot of hard work, planning, and of course, pure love for the game as well as a supportive family,” Matthews, whose other son, Lionel, will celebrate his second birthday next month, told the Jamaica Observer.

“I have a ton of support from my husband [Jordan Matthews] to my mom and mother-in-law and a support system like that definitely makes it easier,” the American-born player added.

Returning to international competition just months or even weeks after giving birth is even more impressive when the focus afforded to injury and recovery time in professional sports is taken into context.

But by virtue of sticking to her daily routine of working out and training during pregnancy, Matthews believes these were also significant in her quick return to the game she loves, again in time to contend for a final spot in the Reggae Girlz squad to next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup.

“I would say I’m in as good of form as I can be with only eight weeks of intense training leading into this camp. I passed all the fitness tests given to me by the performance staff, so I’m feeling good,” said Matthews.

“I have again proven that with hard work and faith in God, ultimately, anything is possible. And I’m so happy to have this opportunity of being with my hard-working Reggae Girlz teammates,” she noted.

That said, Matthews, who earns her Jamaican stripes through mother Corinia Williams, heaped praises on her Captain Khadija “Bunny” Shaw and company for pulling off a second-consecutive berth to the global showpiece, while she was away.

The Girlz hammered Haiti 4-0 and Costa Rica 1-0 in achieving the feat at the Concacaf Women’s Championship in Mexico. They also suffered respective 0-5 and 0-3 losses against eventual winners United States and finalists Canada.

“I am so proud of the girls for making it happen. I’m not surprised though. We have the quality and these results are more expectations for us now, barring the games against US and Canada. I was also a bit sad that I couldn’t be a part of it, but I was confident in the squad that they would get it done,” she declared.

Now returning, Matthews, who possesses some slick touches and good ball-handling skills, knows she has much to prove to Head Coach Lorne Donaldson and his assistants Xavier Gilbert and Ak Lakhani, and she is very much intent on doing so if given the opportunity in today’s first of two friendlies against Paraguay.

In fact, the forward is relishing the competitive nature of the squad with the addition of English-based players Drew Spence, Atlanta Primus, Paige Bailey-Gayle, and Shania Hayles, all of whom are handy attackers.

“The team is very competitive now and I know that nothing will be given to me. I always trust the work that I put in, though, and will continue to put in, because that’s all I can control,” the Vanderbilt University and Florida State University alumna reasoned.

“I’m excited for the competition in game and to start building game fitness again. I mean, all the training is fun but we do so to compete in games. So I’m excited to put together the last eight weeks of training to the test, but I’m also making sure I listen to my body through it all,” Matthews said.

Looking ahead, Matthews is quietly confident about breaking into the final 23-member squad for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, much like she did for their 2019 appearance in France.

The Girlz are pitted against Brazil and France for the global showpiece with their next opponent to come from February’s intercontinental play-offs.

“My goal is to stay healthy and available for this team and to be ready if and when my name is called. The team is built around strong, determined women that have loads of potential and my goal is to bring my best every time I step out there and help create more history.

“I know we can shock the world with winning results during these international windows. I am just remembering to take it a day at a time,” the former US Under-23 representative ended.