Liver transplant recipient takes to the octagon in first MMA bout this weekend
Article content
Troxel received the transplant when she was just nine years old, after being diagnosed with biliary atresia, a life-threatening liver disease, when she was a baby. She's been on medication ever since, and has also dealt with multiple rejections.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'I've always wanted to do some sort of boxing, or something like that,' Troxel said. 'I started getting slammed with social media ads for Champions Rise.'
Article content
Article content
But despite her initial hesitation, Troxel eventually signed up for her first season in September of 2024 – and for a second season in February after just a few days off.
Article content
Article content
'I had an injury last season, so I didn't end up fighting,' Troxel said. 'I wanted to come back for a redemption this season.'
Article content
Her debut fight takes place tonight at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino, and though she's hoping for a win, it's about more than that for her.
Article content
'I'm trying to just focus on gratitude,' Troxel said. 'More than anything, the last year of training has taught me that I'm capable of so much more than I thought.'
Article content
'When you have chronic illness like endo or or growing up in the hospital, a lot of people just kind of discount you for things,' she said.
Article content
'You get a little bit of that in your head, thinking, 'Maybe I can't do this' – but I can, and I'm here.'
Article content
'It's been very rewarding to work with her,' Troxel's coach, Mike Smallwood, said. 'She's a really hard worker.'
Article content
'We have high expectations, so there's always going to be a transformation that's going to happen.' Smallwood said. 'She was very resilient and worked her way through it.'
Article content
Smallwood trained both Troxel and her opponent, so he's not rooting for a particular outcome for Friday's fight, but said it could go either way.
Article content
'It's a fair match up,' he said. 'Honestly, I do not know who will win this.'
Article content
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
My parents took out a $500K whole life insurance policy for me when I was 15 — but was that magnanimous or misguided?
At 33, Sarah from Denver was surprised to learn that her parents had taken out a $500,000 whole life insurance policy on her when she was just 15, costing nearly $500 a month. She didn't sign up for it and is now wondering if she can reclaim control or recover the cash to use against a home she's hoping to buy. The problem is, her parents have asked her to take over payments — the exact opposite of what she'd like to do. Additionally, she'd need their consent to take out any cash value to purchase her home, since they own the policy. But Sarah's stressed about approaching them, as it's a big ask and money hasn't always been an easy subject in her family. Sarah has learned that if they pass away, ownership could go to her, as a contingent owner, or to their estate, further complicating the situation. Unless they officially transfer ownership to her, Sarah could be stuck with either paying or surrendering the policy and may have to forget about her dream of a new home. On top of this, while her folks surely thought it was a good investment at the time, this may not be the case today. Several considerations factor into this, particularly as many experts urge caution with whole life insurance. @placement What is whole life insurance and who owns it? Whole life insurance is permanent coverage designed to last your entire life, with two main parts: the death benefit and cash value. The death benefit is the guaranteed payout to beneficiaries, while cash value is a savings component that grows, is tax‑deferred and can be borrowed against. Policyholders can boost their cash value by paying more than the required premium or reinvesting any policy dividends. Then, over time, interest and dividends can help the cash value grow beyond the total premiums paid. This cash value can be accessed while the insured person is alive, either through tax-free withdrawals or low-interest loans that typically have lower rates than personal or home equity loans but must be repaid to avoid reducing the policy's value (including the death benefit). But here's the twist: Because the policy was initiated by her parents while she was still a minor, they remain the owners of the policy, not Sarah. So, she can't access the cash value or cancel the policy without their permission. Parents often like whole life policies for their fixed premiums, tax breaks, lifelong protection and potential dividends. However, advisors warn that the high premiums and slow cash value growth make them poor investments for many families. @placement Pros and cons of whole life insurance Here's a look at the common benefits and drawbacks of whole life insurance. Pros Whole life insurance features predictable, stable premiums that don't increase with age or health conditions. This makes them a great tool for long-term budgeting. It also covers the insured for their entire life, as long as premiums are paid. One of the biggest selling points of whole life insurance is that aforementioned cash value component. A portion of each premium goes into this savings-like account, which grows on a tax-deferred basis and can be borrowed against or withdrawn. Finally, some whole life policies pay dividends (depending on the insurer), which can be reinvested to buy additional coverage, grow the cash value or reduce premiums. Cons On the flipside, these policies can cost five to 15 times more than term policies with similar coverage. There's also low cash value and slow growth in the first several years, when most of the premiums go toward administrative fees, agent commissions and the cost of insurance coverage. It may take several years before the cash value reaches what's been paid in premiums. Unlike other life insurance, whole life isn't too flexible in adjusting the death benefit or premium amount, which may not suit those whose financial situation or goals change over time. And experts warn of the opportunity cost: Returns, typically 4-5%, are usually lower than potential gains from investments like stocks, retirement accounts or real estate, making them a less ideal investment vehicle. So, while many, like Sarah's parents, feel that whole life may make sense for goals like covering a lifelong dependent or leaving an inheritance, it can be a sub‑optimal savings strategy compared to other investment options out there. On top of this, whole life policies can be difficult to understand, especially when it comes to dividends, interest rates, policy loans and surrender charges. This makes it harder for policyholders to assess whether the policy is truly benefiting them over time. In Sarah's case, she will need to study her policy in detail — perhaps with the help of a financial advisor — so she can explore the best path forward for her financial future. @placement This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bessent says US has 'makings of a deal' with China
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday that he believed that Washington has the makings of a deal with China and that he was "optimistic" about the path forward. "This week's negotiations in Stockholm have advanced our talks with China, and I believe that we have the makings of a deal that will benefit both of our great nations," Bessent said in a post on X that was subsequently deleted. "I am optimistic about the path forward," he added. A Treasury Department spokesperson said the post was being reposted because the images attached to it had not uploaded correctly. The spokesperson also noted that the language in the post was in line with what Bessent had said in various media interviews this week. In an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Bessent said the United States believes it has the makings of a trade deal with China, but it is "not 100% done." U.S. negotiators "pushed back quite a bit" over two days of trade talks with the Chinese in Stockholm this week, Bessent told CNBC. China is facing an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with President Donald Trump's administration, after Beijing and Washington reached preliminary deals in May and June to end escalating tit-for-tat tariffs and a cut-off of rare earth minerals. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Manhunt launched after 4 killed in a shooting at a Montana bar
Montana Shooting ANACONDA, Mont. (AP) — Four people were killed in a shooting at a Montana bar Friday, authorities said as they launched a manhunt for the suspect. The suspect was last seen in the Stump Town area, which is just west of Anaconda, according to a Facebook post by the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center. He was believed to still be armed, the Montana Highway Patrol said in a statement. The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. on Friday at The Owl Bar, according to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, which is leading the investigation. The agency confirmed four people were pronounced dead at the scene and that it was an active investigation. Authorities have yet to release details about what led to the shooting. More than a dozen officers from local and state police converged on Stump Town where they appeared to be searching for the suspect in the woods. His home in Anaconda had already been cleared by a SWAT team, according to the Granite County Sheriff's office. Anaconda is about 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Missoula. The owner of the Firefly Café in Anaconda said she locked up her business at about 11 a.m. Friday after getting alerted to the shooting by a friend. Two hours later, she was still waiting for an all clear before reopening. 'We are Montana, so guns are not new to us. For our town to be locked down, everybody's pretty rattled,' café owner Barbie Nelson said. 'It's a small town, so we all probably know someone who was there' at the shooting. she added.
