Judo gold empowers more than just athletes

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - Winning Olympic gold in judo means you're willing to endure years of pain.

For Middletown's newest hero, Kayla Harrison, the pain goes deeper than bruises and sore muscles.

"Her former coach had been molesting her," her mother Jeanie Yazill said.

Harrison broke her silence about the abuse six years ago.

That former coach, Daniel Doyle, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and banned from the sport.

Harrison's guilt challenged her at every turn.

"She had some feelings of doubt as to whether she could move on," Yazill said.

Pyschologist Stuart Bassman understands that all too well.

"Their self esteem, their self worth, their ability to believe has been significantly impaired," he said from his office.

Bassman treats victims of sexual abuse as part of his psychology practice. He heard about the Middletown Olympian not just from the media, but from his patients.

"This is someone who can inspire others, to resurrect themselves,” he said.

Bassman believes Harrison's success in the face of such obstacles could empower others wrestling with those same demons.

"I can't tell you ... how many people I work with who have been victims of sexual abuse, who have been hiding in fear, in shame, in embarrassment, who could now look to someone and say, 'If she can do it, I can do it'," he said.

Bringing that gold into their own lives.