20/07/2025
This photo just came up on my Facebook memories from 14 years ago, how things have changed for me!
This was taken on a professional photoshoot day which I was asked to do by an advertising company. What I'd expected to be an hour of striking poses turned into 4 hours of hitting bags, flying kicks, weapons work, having water thrown in my face because I wasn't sweaty enough and hearing the words "great, just one more time" on repeat 😆.
Back then I was a full time coach and international competitor, running a full time dojo with hundreds of students of all ages.
14 years on and my skills, knowledge and ability have continued to grow and my coaching has specialised and become much more niche. 18 months ago, when I set up Bristol Women's Karate, I did it with the sole objective of making martial arts more accessible to women by making classes specifically for them.
I've coached for over 30 years, and I'm well aware walking into a dojo can be an intimidating experience for women, but it is really important to me that women feel safe, encouraged and welcome, so they can come and learn the invaluable self protection skills that martial arts can offer.
With this in mind, my classes are kept small (maximum of 8), so I can personalise tuition. Class members can wear what they want so they feel comfortable. Classes are relaxed, friendly and informal, with the focus being on students learning at their own pace. I have women come along who haven't done any group exercise or sport for decades, women going through menopause or managing health conditions, women who want to learn but don't want to do any sparring, women who lack confidence.
I love the transition in my own coaching and martial arts journey. I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with some fantastic women and love the opportunity to remove the barriers that stop women from participating in martial arts.
