Some photos go viral because they shock.
Some because they entertain.

Mine went viral because it told the truth — the truth about working mothers, about persistence, about the messy, beautiful balancing act women perform every single day.

I’m Dr. Megan Meier, a sports and dance medicine physician in Oklahoma City. And recently, a simple snapshot of my life — taken on the sidelines of a high school football game — spread farther than I ever imagined.

In the photo, I’m doing sideline medical coverage for Putnam City North High School.
I’m also 35 weeks pregnant.
My husband was out of town.
My 3-year-old’s childcare had fallen through.

But the team needed a doctor, and motherhood doesn’t pause for work — and work doesn’t pause for motherhood. So, like many women do every single day, I improvised. I packed snacks, water, toys, and my medical kit. I gave my toddler a pep talk. Then we walked onto that field together.

I shared the photo in a group of physician moms with a lighthearted caption:
“Sports Medicine Doctor Mom — this is what happens when you’re 35 weeks pregnant, your husband is out of town for the weekend, childcare falls through, and you’ve got a game to cover!”

I expected a few nods of recognition. Maybe a couple of laughs.

I did not expect an outpouring of support from thousands of women, colleagues, strangers, and even athletes I’ve treated over the years. I did not expect the story to leave Oklahoma and travel across social media platforms, reminding people everywhere that behind every woman in medicine, sports, or any demanding field, there is both strength and sacrifice.

What touched me most wasn’t the attention — it was the recognition.

Women messaged me saying:

“You made me feel seen.”
“This is exactly what motherhood as a physician looks like.”
“Thank you for reminding us we’re not failing — we’re doing our best.”

And they’re right.

We can have multi-faceted careers.
We can be present for our families.
We can pursue our passions.

But it requires work. It requires flexibility. It requires the willingness to do things imperfectly but wholeheartedly. And more than anything — it requires community.

I’m grateful beyond words for mine:

🩺 The Physician Mom Group (PMG) — whose support felt like a warm blanket after a long day.
❤️ My family and friends — who cheer me on even when life gets chaotic.
🏈 My athletes and teams — Putnam City North High School, the University of Oklahoma, and the OKC Ballet — who have shown unwavering support for women in sports medicine, even when those women show up with a baby on their hip.

And truly, I’m grateful for every person who shared that photo, not because of me — but because it sparked conversations that matter.

Conversations about working mothers.
About representation.
About showing young girls that women belong everywhere — on sidelines, in operating rooms, in boardrooms, on stages, on fields, and in leadership.

I’ve worked in sports medicine long enough to know that progress rarely happens in one big leap. It comes in steps — in moments. In showing up even when it’s hard, even when life is messy, even when your belly is round and your toddler refuses to nap.

Since 2016, we’ve made incredible strides in normalizing women in demanding medical and athletic roles. But there is still much to do. And if this photo helped remind even one woman that she is capable — that she can continue chasing her dreams without sacrificing her identity as a mother — then I’m glad it was shared.

If there’s one message I hope people take away from that viral moment, it’s this:

Women don’t need to choose between their careers and their families.
They simply need a world that supports both.

And together, step by step, we are building that world.