Kayla Harrison is 2X Olympic Gold Medalist and Professional Fighters League Lightweight star MMA fightwho rose against all odds to achieve her dreams. She defended her Gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. After retiring from Judo, Kayla created the Fearless Foundation to shine a light on the darkness that is child sexual abuse and to enrich the lives of survivors through education and sport.
This year she anchors the first-ever women’s 155 division in MMA, with the season beginning May 9 on ESPN.
Women Fitness President, Namita Nayyar takes this opportunity to talk to her about journey and story of perseverance. Read on.
Namita Nayyar
Starting off at the age of six as a judo you went on to compete in the 78 kg weight category followed by current mixed martial artist in the lightweight division. You also won the 2010 World Championships, gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, and gold at the 2011 and 2015 Pan American Games. Looking back how would you define your life journey to become a champion?
Kayla Harrison
My journey has in no way shape or form been easy. It wasn’t a straight line to the top. I went through some of the worst things a person can go through in life, but I think hitting rock bottom and being in a negative situation catapulted me into becoming who I am today. Like many success stories, sometimes you must go through some hard times to get to the good times.
Namita Nayyar
The hurdles & challenges you faced all through to reach to the top and what kept you determined and focused?
Kayla Harrison
You must have a strong team around you, people with like-minded goals who believe in you. I was blessed to have that in my life. I also set mini goals for myself, tiny successes that could lead to bigger ones. Lastly, just my internal drive. There’s something inside of me that says I won’t quit, I won’t give up, I won’t stop no matter how hard it gets.
Namita Nayyar
Your daily health & fitness routine? Share briefly your top 5 exercises to fight competitive stress?
Kayla Harrison
I’m a professional athlete, this is my job, it’s what I do. I usually do 2-3 workouts a day, and it can include grappling, sparring and various drills. I see my strength and conditioning coach twice a week, do one light technical workout on Saturday’s and then Sunday I rest. In terms of dealing with stress, being a fighter is like putting yourself in the most stressful situation possible and finding ways to cope with it. There’s nothing more stressful than locking yourself in a cage with someone who is trying to fight you. I don’t try to find exercises to relieve stress, I try and find ways to become better at dealing with the stress. This includes breathing exercises, visualization activities and positive thinking. Every night I train my brain, just like I do my body. I’m visualizing success, I’m visualizing being the best MMA fighter in the world, I’m visualizing arm barring someone or landing that perfect cross…and I repeat it repeatedly.
Full Interview Continued On Next Page
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Namita Nayyar
Diet you live by and recommend women to follow to stay healthy and fit?
Kayla Harrison
My motto is good, healthy, wholesome food. I don’t have a super strict diet, but I’m not eating anything processed or frozen. Everything is found at the edge of the grocery store – a lot of greens, proteins and healthy starches. My #1 rule for staying healthy and fit is everything in moderation. If I want a cookie, I’ll have a cookie, I just won’t eat the whole bag!
Namita Nayyar
Why women need to come out and participate in sports and arenas of life in this male-dominated world?
Kayla Harrison
I view that as a flawed question. My mindset is, if you want to do something, you should do it. I don’t care if you’re a man or woman, boy or girl, old or young, if you have a goal or dream or something you are inspired to do, I encourage you to go out and do it. It just so happens that I love fighting. I love punching people in the face. I love throwing people. I love putting people in arm bars. I don’t think of it as I’m a woman in a man’s world, I look at it as this is my world and I’m going to own it.
Namita Nayyar
Who is your role model?
Kayla Harrison
There are so many. Coach Jimmy Pedro has always been a big role model in my life, I’ve always wanted to emulate him. He’s one of the most successful Judo fighters the U.S. has ever had, he’s a successful businessman, has a beautiful family, he’s one of the happiest guys I know, he’s very driven and goal oriented…to me he is a picture of happiness.
Namita Nayyar
You will be anchoring the first-ever women’s 155 in MMA for the PFL, which will be broadcasted on ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deports beginning May 9th. How comfortable are you fighting at that weight and what’s your target?
Kayla Harrison
I’m super comfortable, I don’t believe in weight cutting so for me I’m happy the PFL is starting this. I have big shoulders and I’m ready to take on this challenge.
Namita Nayyar
How do you go about balancing your personal & professional life?
Kayla Harrison
Balance is super important and it’s something I’m still learning. I feel like the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve improved. When I was younger, I only cared about being the best and winning and that took a toll on my personal life and relationships outside of Judo or the cage. I’m lucky now that I’m in a relationship with a fighter and he understands what it’s like to be in my situation. The older you get the more you realize there’s more to life that can make you happy and whole. But I want it all. I want to be the best fighter in the world, and I want the best life outside the cage. Whether it’s my career or my personal life, I always give 110%.
Namita Nayyar
Message for our visitors on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2019?
Kayla Harrison
I wish all women a Happy International Women’s Day. I hope one day we’ll no longer need a day to define women.
Namita Nayyar
You were awarded the 2012 OC Tanner Inspiration Award. How did it feel to be an inspiration for women who find it hard to rise & shine, at times tend to give up?
Kayla Harrison
Anytime you’re recognized for what you have done it is an honor. I take being a role model and a person of inspiration very seriously. It’s a privilege and I understand there are eyes on me and kids watching. It’s always my goal to make them proud and be a light in their lives, to be for them what someone was for me. I want to pay it forward.
Namita Nayyar
You created the Fearless Foundation to shine a light on the darkness that is child sexual abuse and to enrich the lives of survivors through education and sport, leading survivors to mastery and enabling them to flourish in all aspects of life. You are also a member of the Board of Directors of Doc Wayne, an organization that provides sports-based therapy for at-risk youth and uses your voice on behalf of countless organizations dedicated to protecting children and women. How have you been able to succeed in your mission? Any specific examples you would like to share with us?
Kayla Harrison
I wrote a book with two psychologists from McLean (Cynthia Kaplan and Blaise Aguirre) that’s called Fighting Back. It’s not a memoir, it’s an educational book that uses my story as a guideline. I kept journals when I was a victim of sexual abuse, so it goes through everything from why kids stay silent, how can you talk to your kids, what are some signs to look for and more. It comes from the perspective of a victim and from experts in the field and shares our point of view on how to help your child not only just survive but thrive. That’s something I’m proud of. We’re in the middle of writing a curriculum and my goal is for it to be in the 7th grade health class system.
Namita Nayyar
A word about Women Fitness website (https://www.womenfitness.net)?
Kayla Harrison
I’m always encouraged by resources of inspiration for women. It’s important to shine a light on all aspects of health and wellness, and I’m happy to contribute!
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http:// www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness