Marina Mokhnatkina (Russia)

The Russian SAMBO wrestler triumphantly returning to elite sports after giving birth described on her Instagram profile how she’s managed to succeed.

“I often get asked how I’ve managed to be so successful in sports. I’ll start by saying that I’m from a large family, and spent my whole childhood in the village of Klestyata in Perm Territory!!! My parents had a big farm (cows, horses, sheep, chickens and pigs) and huge gardens! In other words, I worked hard from a very early age! I know how to milk a cow, and cut and pitch hay!!! To dig seed beds! To plant and hill and carry sacks full of potatoes!!! This was probably good training for sports. Living in the village, I never dreamed that one day I would be a Multiple World Champion! But chance brought me to my first coach, Ivan Ponomorev, who believed in me, saw my potential and lit a dream in me that began to come true with incredible speed! I’m grateful to God for all that I have. Dear friends, don’t be afraid of changes in life!!! Change is always scary. But no one will change your life for you. You know which choice you have to make, but in spite of the fear, you keep moving forward. That’s the main rule of success.”