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January 27, 2025 21 mins

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of The Shine Podcast, host Daniel Boettcher sits down with Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo and an MMA champion, to discuss her incredible journey of resilience, transformation, and purpose. Beyond her athletic achievements, Kayla opens up about her life as a single mother, her adoption of her niece and nephew, and the profound lessons she’s learned about love, family, and finding peace in life’s challenges. 

From conquering the world of MMA to discovering the beauty of motherhood, Kayla’s story is a testament to the strength it takes to redefine success and embrace a life filled with meaning and connection. 

 

👤 Guest Bio 

Kayla Harrison 

Kayla Harrison is a world-renowned Judoka and mixed martial artist. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist, she transitioned to MMA in 2018 and has since claimed two world titles in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) before signing with the UFC. Beyond the spotlight, Kayla is a devoted mother who has found new purpose in raising her adopted children, Kyla and Emory. Her journey is one of courage, determination, and love, inspiring countless people around the globe. 

 

📚 Timestamped Overview 

00:00 Kayla Harrison: Athlete to Motherhood 

03:38 Finding Purpose Beyond Success 

09:08 Children's Impact on Personal Healing 

10:50 "Beautiful Chaos of Parenthood" 

14:44 Family Reactions to Boxing Loss 

17:49 Kayla Harrison: A Living Legacy 

20:44 "Thank You from Daniel" 

 

🔍 In This Episode 

  • Redefining Purpose: How Kayla shifted her focus from athletic achievements to personal fulfillment. 
  • The Challenges of Motherhood: The struggles and triumphs of being a single parent while pursuing a demanding career. 
  • Resilience in Life and Sport: Insights on overcoming challenges and staying grounded. 

 

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