KAYLA HARRISON, a double Olympic and MMA World Champion, reveals that neither was as difficult as motherhood.
In November, the American adopted Kyla, nine-year-old, and Emery, three-year old, from her mother. She took full custody of both.
Kalya Harrison and her Kyla, Emery
Harrison won the mat and the cage twice as a Professional Fighters League champion.
However, you cannot be prepared for parenting without years of practice drills and countless rounds sparring.
SunSport's Harrison, 31 years old, said that being a mother is one of the most difficult jobs.
You think it is difficult to win an Olympic gold medal? You believe that fighting in a cage makes it difficult? You believe that someone pushing you in your face is difficult?
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"Well, have children. You will be scared for the rest your life. It's difficult, it's frightening, but I love them so deeply and want to do it right.
"But, how can you be sure you're being a good parent?" There is no guidebook. Nobody tells you what to go.
"It was easy to figure out, and I didn’t know what I was missing. I lived a very selfish existence.
"I fought and made a lot of money. I would go home, train, eat, hang with my dog, and maybe have a taco Tuesday night with my friends.
"But it was train. Eat, sleep, and repeat. My life is now so full. Although it hasn't been that long, I don't remember living without it.
"They saved my life, and they changed my life."
Harrison is the first person to admit that raising two children and training to become the best fighter in the universe is exhausting.
She stated that being a single mother is the most difficult job in the world. I had no idea.
It's hard to be a single mother, have two children, and be an outstanding fighter in the world. I am tired almost every day!
"I feel like I haven’t slept since I bought them. It's that way.
Harrison won her first judo gold medal in London in 2012, and she doubled her medals in Rio four years later.
After leaving Team USA, she decided to switch to MMA and was able to debut for the PFL in 2018, MMA's only league format.
It is made up of two regular season bouts. The points are used to determine the method of victory. The top four qualifies for the playoffs.
The semi-finals and final format follow. Here, the two remaining contestants fight for the $1million winner's cheque.
Harrison has won twice the life-changing jackpot in 2019, as well as 2021, and returns for a hat trick this year.
This will be Kyla's second season as a parent, and Kyla can also see her superhero mom in action.
Harrison said, "My daughter now comes to my fights. She's old enough for it."
"She is very aware of what I do and we have a lot of fun talking about it."
Harrison is determined to fight for her children's future, but not at the expense of their childhood.
She said, "I want to be role model for them and show them that dreams can come true if they work hard."
"I want them see me working hard. I want them see me chasing my dreams so that they have the same chance that I had.
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"But, I also want them to be there. I want to be there for them. They are important to me and I don't want them to miss them.
Harrison beat Marina Mokhnatkina (34), in the first fight of her PFL 2022 Season. She also defeated Kaitlin Young (36), on Friday in Atlanta.
