-- ESPN spoke to Becky Lynch recently about her involvement with the Special Olympics, while also covering wrestling related topics such as her ongoing absence due to pregnancy as well as a possible return to the ring. Here are the highlights:
Stepping away from the ring to have a baby
"Well, it's tough because I've given my whole life to wrestling and to moving forward in my career. But this was a choice that, for me, felt like the right one. Because it is wild that a lot of women still have to choose between their athletics or a family. And I didn't want to have to choose that. For me, this was the right time to go and start a family, something that I've always wanted to do. And so I feel like I've achieved nearly everything I could achieve in wrestling. I think there's nothing more important than family. And I'm so excited to experience that and to have this other person that is half me and half the love of my life that I get to show love."
Role models for her that balanced motherhood and their careers
"Bringing it closer to home, I'll talk about the mothers in my own line of work: WWE superstars Asuka, Mickie James and Lacey Evans. They've all proven that you can do both."
On even having an option to return to WWE
"That's something that I've always preached and wanted women to have that equality. And of course, to be on the level with the male performers and be on the same level in terms of pay, in terms of treatment. But also, this kind of goes hand in hand where a guy can go and have a kid and doesn't have to miss a beat in his career. Unfortunately, we do. But that's also a fortunate thing because we get to experience things that they never will, but also it just doesn't mean that it's got to be the end for a career in any line. And I think a lot of people have proved that, and I hope to join them."
Returning to wrestling
"Yeah. It's one of those things where I know what I feel and think as a person without a child. I don't know what that's going to look like when I do have one, and that's my priority. I'll tell you, it'll give me more motivation than ever, I could imagine. But this isn't the end of me, one way or the other."
The whole interview is here.
