We recently had the chance to connect with Anna Chernikova and have shared our conversation below.
Anna, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me?
I start my morning in full working mode — diving into evaluations, re-evaluations, assessments, reports, answering messages, planning projects, handling my ProSport MMA Academy tasks, and juggling everything that comes with running two quiz shows in LA and SF.
Then it smoothly turns into “mom of three” mode, which is basically a mix of logistics, diplomacy, crisis management, and comedy. Add two cats, one husband, and my love for productivity, and that’s the recipe.
So my day is a balance of work, family, sports, and keeping my sense of humor alive. Normal? Not really. Effective? Absolutely.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Anna Chernikova — a mom of three, owner of two cats, one very patient husband, researcher by training, and co-founder of ProSport MMA Academy.
My background is in education and scientific research, and I’ve published studies exploring healthy lifestyle, performance, and longevity. Now I apply that same analytical mindset to everything I do — from raising kids to building a sports academy.
At ProSport MMA Academy, we focus on developing strong, confident young athletes and supporting families through high-quality training, discipline, and a healthy lifestyle.
My son’s journey as a champion inspired the entire project — real results, real passion, real purpose.
And because I clearly love combining brains and adrenaline, I also run two quiz shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
What makes my story unique?
I’m blending science, MMA, family life, and entrepreneurship — creating a brand that helps kids get stronger, families get closer, and parents feel empowered. It’s a crazy mix, but it works, and I absolutely love it.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds break when people feel misunderstood, isolated, or stressed — especially when you’re new to a country and everything feels different.
But they’re restored through connection: spending time together, sharing activities, even something as simple as sports or a quiz night. In Los Angeles, I love seeing how families, kids, and communities come closer when they show up for each other — so come join us at our ProSport MMA Academy or one of our quiz nights, and see it yourself!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a time about a year after we moved when everything felt overwhelming — the challenges of a new country, the culture, the constant adjustments. But then I thought of my kids and the magic that brought us to the U.S. in the first place. That thought gave me strength, opened new possibilities, and reminded me to trust the world. If you let it, the world embraces you — and amazing things happen.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The person whose ideas I rely on most — and trust completely — is my husband, Dmitry Chernikov. We met when I was 11, and at 15 he told me we’d live in the capital and have three kids. And somehow… he was right. Everything he says somehow comes true.
He has this incredible intuition and a huge mission in life. The only thing that drives me crazy is that he doesn’t show this side of himself to the world — otherwise everyone would be as inspired by him as I am!
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, the first thing I’d stop doing is wasting time on things that don’t matter — unnecessary stress, endless scrolling, and trying to please everyone. Life is too short for that. I’d focus entirely on my family, my work that truly inspires me, my students, my athletes, and the moments that make me feel alive.
Basically, I’d stop the noise and live the magic every single day.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://prosportacademy.tilda.ws/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna_chernikova_profamily?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-chernikova-a83314280?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anna.chernikova.331455?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Anna Chernikova
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