"To be kind is powerful."
It's a motto Tayla Harris holds close to her heart, or more specifically her left hand, engraved as a tattoo she proudly displays.
"That tattoo is my day-to-day life," Harris told ABC sport.
"It's always there as a reminder."
Harris fondly recalls her mum dropping her off at school as a child, and instead of telling her to "behave", she'd say, "be kind".
"Ironically it's the hand I use to punch people so it's an oxymoron, but I've also got that [oxymoron] tattooed on my fingers as well," Harris laughed.
"I'm always into things that are funny and quirky."
That dichotomy becomes apparent in the sporting arena.
An AFLW champion and four time All Australian, Harris also holds national boxing championship belts in two divisions — with the Australian female middleweight title and Australian super-welterweight title.
On April 29, she returns to the boxing ring for the first time in four years, for a shot at the Australasian junior middleweight championship.
"It feels like my first fight all over again," Harris said.
"I can't remember what it's like to walk out to the ring, so I get to re-live those feelings like it's the first time again."
Undefeated in eight professional fights with seven wins and a draw, the 26-year-old will take on Brisbane boxer Connie Chan in Melbourne.
"Connie's won her last few fights, she's got belts and is a good quality opponent," Harris said.
"I can't wait to test myself up against her."
Stepping back into the ring
Boxing and footy have always been a part of Harris's life.
Growing up in Brisbane, she began playing Aussie Rules with boys at the age of five.
When she was 12 years old, her father introduced her to boxing to increase her strength as a footballer and learn self-defence.
While boxing remains part of her training regime, disruptions brought about by the COVID pandemic and back-to-back AFLW seasons have kept Harris out of the ring professionally. But she's more prepared than ever to reaffirm her dominance.
"I'm excited," she said.
"It's like I've done a four-year training camp for this one fight."
Harris hopes to go all the way, and one day win a world title.
"Absolutely, I dare to dream and that's something I'm aiming towards," Harris said.
"I don't know exactly when but if the opportunity presents itself, I'm taking it with both hands."
It's an attitude that's served Harris well in the face of adversity.
The moment that turned into a movement
In March 2019, she unwillingly shot to fame after a photo of her kicking a ball during an AFLW match went viral.
It sparked an avalanche of horrific online abuse, sexist comments, even death threats.
The photo, now etched in Australian sporting history, made global headlines.
Harris was 21 years old at the time and said the violent, disgusting, comments made her feel "physically sick".
For Harris, it was a moment that turned into a movement, inspiring her to stand up against online bullying and trolling.
"It's been a whirlwind, that's for sure," she said.
"It seems like a long life already and I'm only 26."
The famous kick was later immortalised into a bronze statue in Melbourne's Federation Square as a stance in women's sport against online abuse and bullying.
Harris became a strong advocate for preventing violence against women and children and raising awareness of online trolling.
Her efforts resulted in her being awarded Victoria's Young Australian of the Year in 2021.
"There are times that are super challenging, but you can learn a lot from them," she said.
"I can look back on it fondly now with the growth I've had from each situation."
Kick Like Tayla, a documentary about Harris that featured on Amazon Prime in May 2022, aired in 240 countries, and reached 31 million people across the world in its first month streaming.
"A lot's happened, everything that comes and goes, I take with a grain of salt," Harris said.
"To be honest, I'm looking forward to more achievements on the sporting field."
An AFLW flag — finally
After the heartache of playing in three losing grand finals, Harris finally secured her elusive AFLW premiership in season seven in November 2022, when the Melbourne Demons upset the Brisbane Lions by four points.
"It was a unique season, having just finished the one prior and losing a grand final," Harris said.
"It was the best day ever and it was incredible to share it with teammates."
Harris booted the defining goal against her old side, Brisbane, to avenge the Dees grand final loss to Adelaide the previous season.
"It was an accumulation of all these emotions," Harris said.
"To ultimately have that success was the best feeling I could imagine."
Harris credits a lot of her success to boxing.
"I can't explain how much boxing has helped me.
"It's been something I've had for my teenage and adult life so far and where I feel comfortable, safe and accepted."
For Harris, it's not just the physical benefits of boxing but psychological ones.
"When I'm boxing, I'm calm, composed and can breathe."
It seems there's nothing Harris can't do.
In the spare time she doesn't have, she's a marriage celebrant.
As an ordained celebrant, Harris officiates weddings that she describes as "fun, creative and inclusive".
"I'm in a good place," she said.
It showcases the "oxymoron" and "quirkiness" of her character and how she lives by the mottos on her tattooed hands.
"[Practising] kindness has always been in my family and life," Harris said.
"Anything good that's come my way inevitably comes from being a nice person."
Fit, healthy and happy, the last 12 months have been a "reset" for Harris.
She credits a tight circle of people for keeping her grounded, including family, friends, and coaches.
"I've had some incredible people in my life and I'm very lucky with the people that I have around me," she said.
"But it's by design, I exclusively hang out with people that are nice, decent humans."
It's served Harris well, so far.
It's no wonder she's feeling optimistic about the future.
'I'm excited about what's next because if it's anything to go by, it's going to be exciting and unpredictable.
"But if something else uncomfortable comes my way and I need to stand and speak up, I'm not afraid to."
