My Single Parent Journey: 

When I found out I was pregnant at 30, I wasn’t married, wasn’t in a relationship, and my stunt career was just taking off. Fear consumed me—not just about becoming a parent, but about losing my dreams. Would I ever be able to pursue the life I envisioned for myself?

Early in my pregnancy, I searched for stories from other single moms, desperate for hope and reassurance. I needed to know it was possible to thrive, to make it all work. But what I found was discouraging. One mom’s words still are with me: “If you think you’re alone now, wait until your child is born—you’ll feel even lonelier.” And, honestly, she wasn’t wrong.

But what I’ve learned over the years is this: loneliness doesn’t define you. It’s what you do with your circumstances that shapes your story.

The Early Days

When my son, Kyson, came into the world, everything changed. His dad, while not winning any “Best Dad” awards, tried to be part of the picture briefly. He moved in with us when Kyson was three months old, but my gut told me it wouldn’t work. I was right. It felt like I was raising two children instead of one. After a year, he moved across the country to pursue his own dreams, and while the loneliness crept in, life also got simpler.

It was just me and my son—a bond that would come to define my life.

Breaking Barriers

Four months after Kyson was born, I got the call that would change everything—a chance to audition for a major movie as a stunt double for Shailene Woodley. There was one catch: I had to lose 25 pounds in five weeks. I was still nursing and adjusting to life as a mom, but I said yes.

I trained harder than I ever had before, ate clean, and gave it my all. Not only did I meet the goal, but I surpassed it, dropping to a weight I hadn’t seen in years. Still nursing (I nursed until he was 3!) The movie chopped my long hair into a bold pixie cut and embraced a whole new version of myself. Dang, I was loving the new me. The mom version. The warrior has officially entered the building. 

Booking that job proved something to me: motherhood didn’t mean the end of my dreams—it just meant the path looked different. In fact, my career flourished. There weren’t many stunt moms out there at the time, and I realized I could carve my own space in this industry. In fact, I was the only single mom there. 

(These two photos were taken within a year of each other. That being said, allow life to surprise you. Transformation is possible. But it will come when the time is right and it will happen so naturally you won’t see it coming. Taking chances is needed to get to where you want to go and who you want to be.)

The Challenges of Being a Stunt Mom

Being a single mom in a demanding career isn’t for the faint of heart. Night shoots meant no sleep. I’d come home to a baby who didn’t care that I’d just worked 15 hours while he slept. Babysitters were often last-minute lifesavers, and every job came with the stress of figuring out childcare. My mom also experienced what it was like as a single mom and did everything she could to help me, even 2 hours away. 

But as Kyson grew older and started school, things got easier. I learned to balance the chaos and find strength in the small wins.

Why I’d Do It All Over Again

Yes, being a single mom is lonely. It’s exhausting. It’s filled with moments where you feel invisible, screaming into the void, “Is anyone out there?” But here’s the thing: the freedom I found in single motherhood was priceless.

I called the shots. I moved to another country. I built a career and a life on my terms. Most importantly, I poured everything into raising my son, ensuring he knew he was loved, valued, and heard. My favorite Rumi quote that hits so deep while on the path to figuring it out, “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.”

When you’re handed a co-parent who isn’t in alignment with your goals or values, it’s better to do it alone. You become resourceful. You become unstoppable. You figure it out because you have to. And there’s something very empowering about that journey. 

A Warrior’s Heart

Single parents, you are warriors. You fight battles no one sees. You answer the midnight cries, cook endless meals, clean up the messes, and keep the ship afloat—all while carrying the weight of the world.

But let me tell you something: your sacrifices aren’t in vain. One day, your child will grow up and see everything you did for them. They’ll recognize the love, the strength, and the unwavering commitment you poured into their childhood.

And that bond? It’s unbreakable.

“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change,” Dr. Wayne Dyer

If you’re in the trenches right now, wondering how you’ll make it through another day, hear me: Not every day is going to be a good day. But on the good days, savor each moment. You are a f*cking warrior. Ask the Universe, the Universe will always have your back. In fact, I think the Universe pours extra into us single parents. Don’t stop looking for that little bit of hope to know it’s going to be ok. 

Life as a full-time single mom is tough, but it’s also beautiful. These moments—no matter how hard—will one day be memories. Make them good ones. Lean into love, even on the hardest days, because love is what will carry you through.

You’re not alone. You are seen. And you are so much stronger than you think. That I know for sure. 

My son is my greatest creation. I can see glimpses of the man he is becoming and I couldn’t be more proud of not only him, but myself.  For the first time in his life, I can see my efforts did not break him, but they made him.