


Mo
& Bella
“When Svea was first born... it's like a split second moment, I was just overwhelmed with love and protection. I just felt sure I needed to protect and love this kid forever.”
Mother’s Day 2021
Sunday May 9
Moana (Mo) Hope is a powerhouse on the football field, having played for both Collingwood and North Melbourne AFLW football teams.
Married to model Bella Carlstrom, the two share a palpably strong and loving bond. The pair open up about the newfound love in their life after the birth of their baby girl Svea, how undeniably powerful women are and what it means to be a female in today’s society.

Moana wears Classic Longline Shacket, Cotton Boxy Tee, Utility Denim Jean, Viola Necklace and Astra Leather Boots. Bella wears Aviator Jacket, Kent Collar Shirt, Structured Shoulder Knit and Morgan Leather Boots.

Moana wears Classic Longline Shacket, Cotton Boxy Tee, Utility Denim Jean, Viola Necklace and Astra Leather Boots. Bella wears Aviator Jacket, Kent Collar Shirt, Structured Shoulder Knit and Morgan Leather Boots.
Congratulations on becoming first-time mums. What does motherhood mean to you now?
Mo: What does it mean to me now? I think that when Svea was first born, I actually was able to take her out and put her on Bell, and it was in that moment – it's like a split second moment – I was just overwhelmed with love and protection. I just felt sure I needed to protect and love this kid forever. So I feel like for me, it's just, I don't know, there's just a new kind of love in my life, a different kind of love that I am so proud to be among..
Bella: For me, it's devotion. Like devoting my body, my mind, my spirit and absolutely everything that I have to her (Svea). It’s a consuming love that I actually can't really put into words, motherhood is just utter devotion to her.

Moana wears Classic Longline Shacket, Cotton Boxy Tee, Utility Denim Jean, Viola Necklace and Astra Leather Boots. Bella wears Aviator Jacket, Kent Collar Shirt, Structured Shoulder Knit and Morgan Leather Boots.
What have you learnt in the short time of being mothers?
Bella: Patience, I think is probably the biggest thing. I definitely had patience before but it's a whole new level. Also, what I am capable of – I feel like I can literally do anything – I've grown a human inside me. So when I'm faced with challenges, I just think about how much I've accomplished and it really makes me believe that I can do anything.
Mo: I think I've always known that women are epic and unbelievable, but through this process – you know, watching Bell go through what she did being in labour – then being a mum, it's unbelievable.
“For me, it's devotion. Like devoting my body, my mind, my spirit and absolutely everything that I have to her (Svea). It’s a consuming love that I actually can't really put into words, motherhood is just utter devotion to her.”

Moana wears Classic Longline Shacket, Cotton Boxy Tee, Utility Denim Jean, Viola Necklace and Astra Leather Boots. Bella wears Aviator Jacket, Kent Collar Shirt, Structured Shoulder Knit and Morgan Leather Boots.
Are there any life skills or lessons you know you’ll teach Svea?
Bella: For me, it's just to do everything in your life with love in your heart. I think being kind to others and to the planet is a pretty good foundation to have as a person and good things will come to her with that outlook as well. So I just can't wait to teach her all about that.
Mo: I don't want her to be restricted just because she's a girl. I want her to be able to do anything she wants. I want to be that 'yes mum' – to say "You can do anything – you've got this" and you're a girl and that makes you even more epic. Let's do it.
What does “time” mean to you now since motherhood?
Bella: The days are long and the years are short. Time is totally run by Svea’s needs, whatever she wants. I'm very much mothering through breastfeeding and attachment parenting, so my time is whatever she wants it to be.
Mo: I just want my working day to go faster so I can see her.
Mo, you're a successful AFL Women's player. How does the role of mum compare?
Mo: Nothing compares to being a mum, let's be honest. Like, what mums sacrifice and what they go through and every hurdle they overcome, to grow a tiny human is unbelievable.
We’ve seen that you're supportive of your sister Vinny’s charity Vinspiration. What does the not-for-profit raise funds for?
Mo: I see how much special needs and people with disabilities are completely ignored and how they are underfunded. They can be left in homes and not have anything and we should be taking care of them.
What the charity does is sell merchandise, and we donate the entire profit to a charity that helps with and specializes in special needs.
For example, Vinny's school was the first one – I think we raised just over $20K in the first month. It's going to be able to buy them interactive screens, help them develop, help them gain new skills. So we are able to make a difference in this area.
At the same time, we talk about it a lot on social media, because when we spoke about the new school, so many mums and carers messaged me and were like "I didn't know this existed! My son has been living at home, he's 28, we had no idea this program existed."
So now he can go somewhere where he has a community, a sense of belonging and also they can help with these developments. So it's super important.

Moana wears Raglan Wide Cuff Knit, Cotton Boxy Tee, Utility Denim Jean and Astra Leather Boots. Bella wears Cord Shacket, Cotton Boxy Tee, Canvas Barrel Leg Pant, Darcy Leather Belt and Ivy 85mm Textured Pump.
Bella, you conceived Svea via IVF, do you have any advice for women about to go on the IVF journey?
Bella: Let go of all expectations. The moment I gave in to the process and wasn't saying this is what has to happen, or I have to be doing certain things, is when we actually fell pregnant. Which is really hard to say – I mean you have to be patient with yourself and the process but try and enjoy life and that time with your partner and not be consumed by the two week wait. Surround yourself with as much love as you can and don't be afraid to talk to people about it.
“I feel like I can literally do anything – I've grown a human inside me...it really makes me believe that I can do anything.”

Moana wears Raglan Wide Cuff Knit, Cotton Boxy Tee, Utility Denim Jean and Astra Leather Boots. Bella wears Cord Shacket, Cotton Boxy Tee, Canvas Barrel Leg Pant, Darcy Leather Belt and Ivy 85mm Textured Pump.
Australia legalized same sex marriage not so long ago. You’ve had an amazing wedding since, what does marriage equality mean to both of you?
Mo: I think for me, personally, I just felt like, okay, I belong here. Before that I didn't feel like I belonged in this country. Because we couldn't do what other people do for love – when you find someone, you marry them. So for me, I was just like, okay, this is a place where I belong and I feel accepted, I think that was important. Women are still marching for their rights. Women are still so far behind and when it comes to equality, we're so far behind.
Bella: It was a given, like this is what we deserve. I didn't think like, “oh, we're so lucky now that we get to get married”. I feel lucky that Svea's going to grow up in a world where it doesn't matter who you are, where you're from, loves always going win and that was the most important thing.
So, what’s next for you two?
Mo: We're going to bring in baby number two, that's what's next for us. Mid this year we're going to start with testing and then hopefully we get pregnant.
Bella: Just 100% being Svea's mum – we're very lucky that we're in the position to do that, as well.

Moana wears Raglan Wide Cuff Knit, Cotton Boxy Tee, Utility Denim Jean and Astra Leather Boots. Bella wears Cord Shacket, Cotton Boxy Tee, Canvas Barrel Leg Pant, Darcy Leather Belt and Ivy 85mm Textured Pump.
Vinspiration
http://vinspiration.thetshirtmill.com.au/