Alex McKinnon opens up on life after separating from wife Teigan Power, parenting and the future

The former Newcastle Knights player speaks about inspiring others, his own personal growth, how he has settled into life after marriage and his most important role – being a good dad.

Teigan and Alex McKinnon welcomed home their twin girls Audrey and Violet with older sister Harriet. Picture: supplied

Alex McKinnon’s most important job is in front of him, remaining the best role model he can be for his three young daughters as he branches out into psychology and the mentoring of others who have suffered devastating spinal cord injuries.

A year after the ending of rugby league’s greatest love story between McKinnon and his wife Teigan Power, the now 31-year-old former Newcastle Knights player has opened up on remaining in the public spotlight nine years after the tackle which confined him to a wheelchair.

“We are still really close,” McKinnon said when asked about Teigan, who he became engaged to a few weeks after the injury.

“Being a parent is such an important job and having a strong relationship with their mum is just as important.

“We are still good friends, we both realise we are role models for the kids and we need to show them that being supportive of each other is the only way to be.

Teigan and Alex with Harriet announcing they were having twins. The couple remain close as they raise the now four-year-old Harriet and the girls, Audrey and Violet, who turn two on Wednesday.

“We will always be close, we have three daughters together for the rest of our lives.”

McKinnon, who will make a presentation as ambassador for the Hunter Disability Expo in Newcastle next month, said he had become used to “being transparent” since becoming an overnight headline when he suffered his injury in 2014.

Alex McKinnon defied the odds to stand as he married his partner Teigan Power in a ceremony at the Hunter Valley. Source: Instagram

Former Newcastle Knights player Alex McKinnon was injured in 2014.

But all his energy remains in raising his daughters – four-year-old Harriet and twins Audrey and Violet, who turn two on Wednesday.

“Parenting while able-bodied is difficult, we all need to adapt,” McKinnon said.

“But the girls are great. Even at their age, they are so caring, very aware and very accepting.

“Even if I just look like I need a drink or if I drop my phone, they are straight onto it. We have never taught them that, it has just come naturally.”

McKinnon said he continued to develop himself personally, juggling his time at Fox Sports and on the speaking circuit with study – he is now in his second year in psychology.

Alex McKinnon continues to work on the speaking circuit and is in his second year studying psychology. Picture: NRL Photos

And he said helping others who had suffered similar injuries was also rewarding – another reason he was looking forward to the disability expo.

“Even over the last four years, I have really learnt more about my own position, my own path,” he said.

“I talk to a lot of families, I think it has been five families this year already,” he said.

“Firstly with the parents. Everyone needs to find their way.

“Every disability is unique and different and it is important to see and speak to the providers about what your needs are, on what suits you personally.

“You need to go and find your way, I encourage everyone to be inquisitive.”

McKinnon later added on his movement into psychology: “I think a combination of once playing professional sport and now being in a wheelchair gives me reassurance and confidence to go out and help people to allow them to be better today than they were yesterday.

“I always wanted to be a leader and I do feel comfortable with that.

“I have always enjoyed watching other people have fun, I get happiness from seeing other people’s happiness, and I think I could make a difference.”

The Hunter Disability Expo runs from May 13-14 at Newcastle Entertainment Centre.