Willow Morton | Canada's Ultimate Challenge Bio

NAME: Willow Morton
OCCUPATION: MMA Fighter
AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

Willow is a fighter — literally and figuratively. Born in China, Willow was adopted as a baby by a family in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario where she grew up and eventually fell in love with mixed martial arts. Nobody is tougher than Willow and as a professional MMA fighter, she embraces pushing boundaries and breaking stereotypes.

What's driving you to take on Canada's Ultimate Challenge?

I love to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone more than anything. I try to seize every opportunity in my life that I think will help me grow and after seeing some of the challenges from last year I knew I had to see how well I could do. I saw this as a way to challenge myself by changing my routine and having to work on a team rather than performing in an individual sport! 

What unique skills will set you apart from the competition?

I think I possess the ability to stay calm under pressure. The ability to motivate and keep my team on track as well. 

How did you gear up for Canada's Ultimate Challenge?

I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. I train 2-4 times daily so I just maintained my regular routine. Mentally I don't think there's much that is harder than fighting someone in a cage and wrestling and I've done both so I felt pretty ready. 

What do you fear the most in the competition?

I feared failing my team. Fear of failure has been a huge part of my life and something I've been working on. I previously attached so much of my self-worth to accolades and success. 

What's the toughest thing life has thrown you and how did it prepare you for this challenge?

Probably when I was abandoned on some steps as a baby in China. A lot of my other challenges in life have stemmed from that first experience. 

Life has thrown a lot at me but it has made me who I am today and I've shown myself that there is nothing I can't do or grow from. It made me confident that there was nothing Canada's Ultimate Challenge could throw at me that I couldn't do. 

Who is your favourite player from past seasons?

Jac, when she won the pole challenge last year. It was super inspiring. 

What's a random fact that people would be shocked to learn about you?

I put copious amounts of popcorn seasoning on my pasta when I'm cutting weight during fight camps because it tastes like Mac and Cheese with no calories. My kidneys might die off at 35 with that much sodium but we'll see. 

Canada's Ultimate Challenge comes to CBC Gem on Thursday, February 27.