Most New England Patriots Cheerleaders, who just auditioned for the 2023 team, agree.
She'll check into the Miss Connecticut USA pageant by then and run the Boston Marathon on Monday after winning.
"At the end of the day, I really had to go after the things I was passionate about and know that I'm doing them for me, but also my son," Barrett said.
Barrett tested out for the team in 2018 while studying Army ROTC at the University of Connecticut
After boot camp, she discovered she was pregnant.
I was eliminated that year. Tracy Sormanti phoned and we talked it over. I told her I need to find out my current situation.
That counsel and the November arrival of her baby transformed her life. Even though her strategy was altering, she was determined to resist the subtle message that some doors were now closed to her.
She studied human development and family studies instead of becoming an Army officer.
Barrett thinks she would have tried again if she didn't make the squad, but the time was perfect.
"I always say this to my kids as a coach, too, that no matter what you're doing, if you're doing something that's a challenge, you're always gonna have to accept that risk of failure,"
Last year, she ran Providence's marathon. She loved training after learning about consistency, determination, and herself.
Her running community inspires her to run more and become more active.
So many amazing organizations and NGOs put on events, and there's such a strong network of runners that support worthy causes.
After Boston on Monday, Barrett hopes to run the Berlin Marathon in Germany, Tokyo, Chicago, London, and New York City to complete all six Abbott World Marathon Major courses.
Given her extensive experience, her family has been equally as important in caring for her baby.
Barrett acknowledged that she will no longer compete in Miss Connecticut USA.
"I did pageants when I was in high school, and honestly it prepared me so well to be a cheerleader because you're truly a community ambassador when you're a pageant title holder.
Barrett will do more than compete on stage for a sash and run 26.2 kilometers over a painted-yellow finish line this weekend.
Barrett has tried the harder road to show people what's possible, much as she became a Patriots cheerleader after delivering her baby and persevering.
"It's kind of my personal mission – in sports and in general," Barrett, who will represent Milford, CT in the pageant, said.
Connecticut's youngest female head coach. I'm an NCAA-young female track coach. I've always wanted to be a pioneer for women, parents, and anybody who's suffered obstacles