Kayla Harrison admits her day-to-day schedule is extremely demanding, however she wouldn’t change it for something.
Not solely is the two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka attempting to find a championship within the UFC, however Harrison (17-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) can be attempting to do it as a mom of two adopted kids, which makes her work-life steadiness extraordinarily essential.
“I’ve to maintain the steadiness in examine,” Harrison advised MMA Junkie Radio. “To start with, I’m the only breadwinner for our household, so me doing good is essential in an effort to deal with my kids, however I’ve to have an excellent steadiness of being mother and being fighter. It’s laborious the nearer I get to a battle. … I’m extra drained. I’m on extra of a calorie deficit. I’m operating extra. I’m coaching extra and I’m doing the sauna.
“So, after I’m with my children, I’m with my children. I’m current. I’m not on my cellphone. I’m not interested by my battle. I’m not interested by the load I’ve to chop. I’m attempting to be with my kids, and I truthfully consider it’s made me a greater mom.”
After only one battle within the UFC, Harrison, 34, is probably one win away from a shot on the ladies’s bantamweight title. At UFC 307 on Oct. 5, she’s going to face Ketlen Vieira. The division’s title shall be on the road within the co-main occasion when Raquel Pennington seems to be to defend in opposition to Julianna Pena.
A win at UFC 307 will make it laborious to disclaim Harrison a title shot, who entered the promotion as a two-time PFL champion, and beat former champ Holly Holm in her UFC debut.
Professionally, the stakes are as excessive as ever. Personally, caring for her kids is all the time essential, and it’s a duty that may stay lengthy after her combating days are over. Harrison has needed to learn to steadiness all the pieces in order that all the pieces will get the suitable quantity of consideration with out having to sacrifice one or the opposite.
“Beacuse there’s solely 24 hours in a day, and I’m aware of how briskly time is flying, it’s made me actually suck the juice out of life in each my profession and as a mom,” Harrison mentioned. “I’m homeschooling my children this 12 months. After this battle, we’re happening a week-long highway journey by way of among the parks in Utah. We get to spend so much extra time collectively and I simply really feel actually blessed that – yeah, it’s very troublesome.
“My life could be very laborious. I’m juggling a variety of issues continuously and I’ve a high-risk, high-reward profession. Being a single mother of two kids who’re adopted, who’ve trauma, who’re additionally therapeutic, and giving them a secure area, and loving them unconditionally, and being wholesome for them, it’s lots. I juggle lots. … But it surely’s made me so a lot better. Crazily sufficient, it’s given me a unique type of peace and a unique type of unconditional love and pleasure. I can’t think about my life another approach. It’s stunning.”
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