It’s not strange for athletes to transition from one sport to another. Did you know that the legendary Michael Jordan switched to baseball after retiring from professional basketball? Okay, he was very bad at baseball, but at least he tried.

Now, transitioning from basketball to baseball isn’t that weird. At least both sports have some similarities, they both play with a ball.

But some athletes choose to go from one side of the universe through a wormhole to a completely different thing, and that’s the case with Chel-c Bailey. We are talking about an MMA fighter who went on to become a professional jockey. That’s quite strange, right?

With that said, it all comes down to passion. Most athletes choose to pursue a career that is the most rewarding (in terms of money) and quickly realize that they are better off chasing their passions.

The Fighter’s Beginning

What’s strange about this transition is that most athletes choose to turn a page in their professional book after being unsuccessful at something, which is not the case with Chel-c Bailey.

Chel-c Bailey actually began as a wrestler (when wrestling was quite popular) and then switched to MMA. To be honest, she was quite successful in MMA even though most people thought the opposite.

From 2016 to 2018 she competed on a world stage and even appeared on the show “The Ultimate Fighter 23”.

Although she didn’t compete in too many fights, Chel-c Bailey managed to leave the MMA with a 3-0-0 record, which shows that she had an impressive start. Her last fight was in early 2018, when all of a sudden, she got a change of heart.

But let’s be real, the life of an MMA fighter is grueling. The physical toll of training, and the mental strain of each fight, plus the consistent risk of injury leads athletes to rethink their options.

After several years in the sport, Bailey started to feel the need for a change. “I loved fighting, but it’s a tough life,” she once shared in an interview. “I knew I had more to give, but I wasn’t sure where”.

The New Horse Racing Chapter for Chel-c Bailey

Horse racing, especially as a jockey, isn’t something that comes out of nowhere. In other words, Chel-c Bailey had a passion for horses for a long time.

In fact, she was a big horse racing fan, which led to her big career change. This was something that she thought for a while, but never really had the courage to do. Why? Well, horse racing is still a male-dominated sport, which kind of puts off new female riders.

But she decided to go against all odds and make a career change right after a few fights.

When it comes to horse racing, she didn’t get the same instant success as MMA. In fact, it took her years of hard work and dedication just to claim her first win at Oaklawn Park.

“To be able to have my first stakes win at Oaklawn Park is massive for me,” Bailey said. “It’s a lot of emotions because it was a huge accomplishment for me, and I felt all my hard work paying off.”

This first win was like a boost for her career, and I think it will be all uphill from here. There is a good chance that we will see Bailey’s odds topping the charts, and she is definitely a contender to keep an eye on. If you want to learn how horse racing odds work, check out   TwinSpires.com.

But why horse racing? Well, first of all, this was her passion, and secondly, she wanted to try something totally outside of the box. She hopes that on the track she can serve as a positive example and even a motivator for young female athletes to try something new.

We also have to mention that Bailey had the right physique to become a jockey. Yes, it took her some time to meet the weight requirements, but being 5-foot is great when it comes to horse racing and not so good when it comes to MMA.

The Transition: From Fighter to Jockey

Becoming a jockey is no easy feat. The physical demands are immense, and the competition is fierce. Jockeys must maintain a strict weight limit, often around 100-120 pounds, while also possessing the strength and stamina to control a 1,000-pound animal at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. For Bailey, this meant completely transforming her training regimen.

“In the octagon, there are only two people, so it’s like there’s only one winner, one loser,” Bailey said. “Out there, it’s like a full-fledged competition and me, other than yesterday, I hadn’t ridden many single-digit odds horses.” She said.

Bailey’s background in MMA gave her a unique edge. The mental toughness she developed in the octagon helped her stay focused during high-pressure races. Her agility and quick reflexes translated seamlessly to the saddle, allowing her to navigate tight turns and crowded fields with ease.

Breaking Barriers in Horse Racing

As a woman in a male-dominated sport, Bailey faced her share of challenges. Horse racing has historically been a tough industry for women to break into, but Bailey refused to let stereotypes hold her back. “I’ve always been a fighter,” she said. “If someone tells me I can’t do something, it just makes me want to prove them wrong.”

Her perseverance paid off. Bailey began competing in amateur races, quickly earning a reputation as a skilled and fearless jockey. Her breakout moment came when she won her first professional race, a victory that solidified her place in the horse racing world.

Bailey’s success has made her a role model for aspiring female jockeys. She’s passionate about encouraging more women to pursue careers in horse racing and breaking down the barriers that have traditionally kept them out of the sport. “Racing isn’t about gender,” she said. “It’s about skill, determination, and heart. And I’ve got plenty of all three.”

We have to appreciate athletes who manage to go through a massive transition and still become successful. They are an example of a true athletic spirit that defines all odds.