From the Quinault reservation to the MMA cage, Patricia Blackburn is showing the world that it’s never too late to rise. A mother of four, survivor, and all-star athlete, Patricia is chasing her dream of becoming a professional MMA fighter — and her story is nothing short of inspiring.
Once homeless at 14, she turned her pain into purpose, fighting her way back from injury and balancing training with motherhood. Now, she’s preparing for the next chapter of her life — training in Las Vegas, making a comeback, and proving that strength comes in many forms.
In this exclusive interview with Pump It Up Magazine, Patricia Blackburn opens up about her journey, her challenges, and what keeps her fighting for more.
Interview with Patricia Blackburn | Pump It Up Magazine
1. Let’s start at the beginning — what was your childhood like growing up on the Quinault Indian Reservation, and how did it shape the fighter you are today?
I grew up hunting, fishing, and living off the land. I grew up dancing and singing the words of my ancestors to our drumming songs of the Quinault People. I also grew up scrapping! I’d fight boys, I didn’t care. I had a little brother and if someone was picking on him, I’d handle it for him. No one messes with my little bro except for me! Growing up on the rez (reservation) was a rough and tough life; there’s a lot of poverty and people overcoming addictions. A lot of people have hard physical labor intense jobs that pay little.
2. You’ve openly shared that you were homeless at just 14. How did you overcome that time in your life, and where did your inner strength come from?
My childhood wasn’t ideal. My mom and dad separated when I was 7 and my little brother was 5. I saw her a couple times, but she moved back to Kansas where she’s from and we were being raised by my dad. He worked 7 days a week, was hardly home, but never missed any of my games. When I was 10, my dad remarried and she was abusive towards me, so I eventually moved out. This was common for youth to move out at a young age on the reservation. I couch surfed for a while between friends and family. Then I was able to get my own apartment at 16 with my high school sweetheart, which was about an hour from where home was, off the reservation, and I transferred to Aberdeen High School where I excelled at sports. I would go to school, practice, then work. On weekends, I would work, go to game day and work the next day. I had to pay my own bills, food, school clothes, any sports gear I needed. I feel like my childhood was stolen from me. I never truly got to be a kid.
3. You were an all-star athlete and even traveled to Australia for volleyball as a freshman in high school. What was that experience like for you so young?
I thrive under pressure, and I always rise to the occasion. Sports was really all I had as a kid, it was my escape from my home life. My first love was basketball. I remember staying after the girls practice to scrimmage with the boys because I didn’t want to go home. My coaches were like having a second dad. When I went to Australia for volleyball, I was a freshman with all juniors and seniors and playing at an elite level. I surrounded myself with people who were at the highest levels and excelled through my experience in sports.
4. After transferring to Aberdeen High School, you continued your athletic journey. How did cheerleading and volleyball help you find your confidence and discipline?
My Junior year I transferred to Aberdeen High School from Lake Quinault School. I worked, played sports, and was on the honor roll. Through my work ethic, I was able to get my own apartment. I did well with a busy schedule. I seem to thrive in chaos. I’m very goal oriented. I knew to get out of the situation I was in I would have to work hard. I saw a lot of people around me turning to drugs and alcohol and I steered clear of that lifestyle. I saw what it did to them, and I never wanted that for myself.
5. Your path to MMA began in a pretty unexpected way — as a ring girl! Can you share how that moment turned into a passion for fighting?
Crazy to think I started as a ring girl, I still ring girl sometimes. My at the time boyfriend was Dennis Hallman’s cousin and he introduced me to the sport. We would train at Yakima MMA under Rich Guerin, while we were going to college at Central Washington University and I fell in love with MMA. As a ring girl, you get the best seats in the house! Through my rough upbringing, I have learned to embrace the physical and mental toughness of the sport and use it as a positive outlet.
6. You trained with some MMA greats like Miesha Tate and Brian Caraway at Yakima MMA. What did you learn during that time that stuck with you?
Miesha is so humble. I knew absolutely nothing about MMA. She taught me the basics, like passing guard, the different positions in jiu-jitsu, and gave me an introduction to wrestling. I learned, Jiu-jitsu is like a game of chess. It’s fun putting all the pieces together and learning moves and counter moves.
7. After stepping away from MMA to raise your four children, what made you decide to return to the sport and chase your dream again?
For years I put my dreams of pursing MMA on the shelf for personal reasons. After that, I promised myself I would never do that again and I decided to focus on my dreams and goals in MMA. I want to be a role model for my kids and an inspiration to the Native community. When you come from nothing, from being homeless as a kid, and building the life I have now. I want to be able to show little rez kids they can achieve their dreams too. That the trauma in our childhoods doesn’t define us but gives us strength to do the big things we were intended to do in the world.
8. Coming back isn’t easy — and you did it while recovering from a serious shoulder injury. What was it like attending Syndicate tryouts and even fighting with one arm?
After I was injured, I sat on the couch at the end of my fight camp for 2 weeks healing and resting, I had one week left to train. I had no power or strength in my right hand. I decided to persevere and continue forward and fight anyway. I won, by split decision. It was a war! I took time off after my fight, I didn’t train, and the following month was Team Syndicate MMA tryouts. I showed up to Las Vegas, I didn’t let them know I was injured, and I played it safe when it came to wrestling and jiu-jitsu in the tryouts. I made the team! I have been traveling down every month to train with Team Syndicate and plan to relocate my family by summer. I instantly vibed with my Syndicate teammates and coaches. I had the feeling of finding my home gym, this is where I was meant to be
9. You’re training in Las Vegas now and looking to relocate. What does it mean to you to be going all-in on your dream — not just for yourself, but for your kids too?
I don’t want to look back when I’m old and grey and think “what if”. I feel like God put this dream in my heart for a reason and I’m going to chase it. I always circle back to MMA. I’ve tried to leave the sport, but the feeling of training and sparring is really freeing. You never really know how tough you are until you’ve gone through a fight camp and a live match. It’s the ultimate test. I think everyone should be punched in the face at least once! My kids love being at the gym, they take kids classes and come to watch me train. My kids are 17,8,7 and 4 years old. Together, as a family, we make sacrifices for me to be able to put in the work I need to become successful in this sport. They’ll be able to look at me one day and say mom never gave up. I’ve had so many setbacks in life, most people would have given up.
10. What’s your mental fuel before a fight or a tough workout? Are there any specific songs or playlists that get you fired up?
My fuel is the promise I made to myself to never give up on my dreams and enjoy the ride. I want to be an inspiration not only to my children but to my hometown as well. I represent the Quinault Indian Nation, and I’m proud to let the world know us small town rez kids have a place in the MMA world too!
11. What’s been the most rewarding moment of your comeback so far — and what’s been the hardest?
My most rewarding moment is getting my hand raised in front of all my closest friends and family. The hardest has been balancing 4 kids with a training schedule.
12. What do you say to other women, moms, or people who feel like they’ve “missed their moment” or are too late to start?
If you still have that dream in your heart, and you put in the work, it’s never too late. Everything is God’s timing. Never give up on yourself.
13. What goals or milestones are you setting for yourself in 2025? Are there any upcoming fights or big moves we should be watching out for?
I hope to fight again by this summer. Things on my bucket list outside of MMA are Power Slap and Bareknuckle Fighting.
14. How can fans support your journey, and where can they follow you online?
I’m always looking for sponsorships. Thank you for your support! I appreciate you.
🔥 Final Thoughts
Patricia Blackburn is living proof that dreams don’t have an expiration date. Whether you’re a fighter, a parent, or someone simply trying to find your way back — her story is your reminder: No excuses. Just grit.
From the reservation to the ring, Patricia’s journey is exactly what Pump It Up Magazine stands for: strength, transformation, and rising above.
📲 Follow Patricia Blackburn
💥 Get Featured in Pump It Up Magazine!
Are you chasing a dream, breaking boundaries, or inspiring others with your journey?
👉 Apply to be featured: Click HERE
