This is what the everyday life of a footballer’s wife really looks like, the trials that come with being the partner of a famous athlete, how difficult life moments change one’s perspective on family and the value of love, and how to combine motherhood with the dynamic rhythm of her husband — in an exclusive interview with RBC-Ukraine, Daria Mykhailenko, a fitness coach and partner of Dynamo midfielder Mykola Mykhailenko, shared her insights.
Daria Mykhailenko with her husband and son— Daria, as a footballer’s wife, it’s been exactly a year. What has turned out to be completely different from what you imagined before the wedding?
— Nothing. Because I immediately understood that nothing would change and that our love grows stronger with time and actions, not with an official status. I still wait for him to return from training camps and away matches, and I enjoy the time we spend together.
— Your story — is not about a “footballer’s wife” who appeared when everything was already established. You and Mykola come from the town of Varva, and it seems like you started dating back when big stadiums were just a dream. How did everything begin between you?
— We have been together for six years already. And when we started, I had no idea how things would go for him in football. I saw a guy who worked at the stadium every day, running and covering many kilometers.
I go to the stadium, and he is already there: first doing press-ups, then jogging, and working with the ball afterwards. And I’m a huge sports fan, and gradually we started to work out together: we ran a half marathon, swam across our dam many times, played volleyball, and we understood that we wanted to be together all the time.
— People often say that football — is not just a sport but also a harsh discipline. What has been the hardest thing about your husband’s schedule for you: constant training camps, the schedule, the lack of stability?
— The hardest thing is his absence. It’s not just one day or even ten days. It can be 6-8 weeks. And when he was playing on loans, we lived apart and only saw each other after the game, which I would attend to support him.
— What would you say to fans who are very critical of players after losses? How does this affect Mykola and your family?
— There won’t always be victories, but when you have support — you will definitely achieve them. If you cheer for the team, you have to do it till the end. It really angers me when the guys lose — people say unpleasant things about them, but when they win — they love them. It’s absurd.
Either you support your team, or what’s the point of it all? It doesn’t affect us in any way. I always support him because I know how hard it all is.
— Recently, you shared memories of a difficult period related to the removal of a tumor. How did this stage affect you and your attitude towards life?
— It was a challenging time, but we went through it together. I began to appreciate life, not to be afraid to do what I want, because I put things off for too long.
— How did your partner support you? And did this change something in your relationship?
— Without his support, I wouldn’t have endured all of that. He was there during the operation and took care of me afterward since I couldn’t get up.
He slept on a small couch with me in the hospital, supporting me every moment. Our relationship became stronger. We went through an incredibly difficult stage not without tears, but with smiles.
— When you go through something like this, you look at everyday things differently. Did you have any “reassessments”? Perhaps, after this, you learned to appreciate ordinary moments — walks, breakfasts, being together?
— To appreciate life, to take care of your health, and to value those who are with you. Live and don’t put things off. Don’t worry about what others will say. Love.
— Given your experience with a difficult diagnosis, what advice would you give to those who have just heard something similar and are now looking for the strength to move forward?
— When I was in Poland and told that I had a brain tumor, I cried but said: "I will fight." I wiped my tears and started looking for doctors. So I want to say, never give up.
Crying and expressing emotions is normal and even necessary. But you have to gather your will, grit your teeth, and fight.
— This year, a special event occurred in your life — you became a mother. What was the most unexpected thing for you in this new experience?
— After that complicated situation I had, the first question I asked the doctors was: "Will I be able to become a mother?" My doctor smiled and replied: "Just wait at least 2-4 months." I really wanted to be a mom and studied everything in detail. There was nothing unexpected; it was all like the first time.
— Motherhood — is already a big challenge, and when your husband is often at training or camps, it becomes even more complicated. How do you manage this balance, and where do you find strength?
— My family helps me a lot, especially my mom. I even gave birth on her birthday. I draw strength from the baby’s smile. I do activities with him every day. My favorite sport also helps. After a workout, I feel charged, like a battery, up and down.
— How do you organize your day and life with the baby when your husband is not around? Are there any special rituals or support that helps maintain stability?
— Yes, we have a schedule. Baby’s training: swimming and massage with gymnastics. My workouts also when he is asleep. And when we have our awake hours, we talk with dad on the phone and show him what we can already do.
We are always in touch with my husband. He’s going to run out of memory on his phone from all our photos and videos. That’s how we keep in touch.
— When you and Mykola get the chance to spend time together, how do you usually spend it? Do you have any special traditions or favorite activities together?
— We used to love playing tennis, going out of town for a day, eating delicious food, and watching YouTube. Now that we have a baby, when he sleeps, we enjoy sitting quietly in the kitchen and talking.
— Given your husband’s busy schedule, how do you maintain romance in your relationship, even when you don’t see each other for a long time?
— I’m always in touch with him. We start the day with text messages and end it that way. He brings me flowers, I order Naruto figurines as gifts for him. We love reminiscing about romantic moments from our life.
— Is there room for jealousy in your relationship, especially considering that Mykola is a public figure with a busy schedule?
— No, there is no jealousy. He doesn’t even want to manage his Instagram. He is not interested in being a public figure. He just wants to play football and enjoy it. I, on the contrary, constantly manage his page so that more people know about him.
— You are a fitness coach, and many of your followers admire how quickly you got back into shape after giving birth. What would you advise young mothers who want to recover but don’t know where to start?
— If there are no restrictions — work out. It doesn’t matter how long, whether it’s 20 minutes or 40. It’s already a significant contribution to yourself. Eat well to have the strength.
— Do you follow a specific diet or special nutritional principles to stay in shape and maintain health?
— Yes, I eat 80/20. Where 80% is healthy food, and 20% is what I crave. I have 2-3 full meals a day and one snack.
— What foods do you recommend including in the daily diet for young mothers for energy, and are there any dietary mistakes to avoid while recovering after pregnancy?
— The main thing is to eat balanced. To keep proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Food is energy and strength, and for mothers, it’s very important. I recommend meat, fish, vegetables, various cereals, and foods high in iron. Avoid consuming semi-finished products.
— Do you have any favorite family recipes that have become a tradition in your home? Share the recipe for your signature dish?
— I love searching for new recipes and cooking for my family. All recipes can be found on my Telegram channel. I don’t have a signature dish; everything is delicious and healthy.
— If Mykola received an offer to move to a foreign club right now… Which country would you both want (dream) to live in with your family and why?
— I want to gain experience abroad; we are learning foreign languages. You should always believe in an opportunity to challenge yourself in some foreign team. The country of my soul is Spain. It’s our dream. Beautiful language, tasty food, incredible nature, and very good football.
— Are there people in the football and football-related community who personally "irritate" you?
— Interesting question. I’m not irritated by people; I’m irritated by injustice.
Ivanna Pashkevych
