Katie started with us as soon as we opened and has progressed to one of our highest ranking Kickboxers. Katie always comes in with a smile and a great attitude and is an invaluable member of our gym. Katie has made Rothwell MMA her second home and attends all of the gym functions with her “family.” Here is Katie’s story:
“Joining Rothwell was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Before I joined the gym I did Tae Kwon Do for a little over a year and a half but was forced to stop due to some health problems. After a while, I wanted to get back into doing something but I just wasn’t quite sure what. One night my mom brought home the movie Real Steel, ya know the movie with Hugh Jackman and the shadow boxing fighting robots, and I absolutely loved it. I know that sounds completely ridiculous because, well, it is. But watching the robots fight made me want to do it, it looked like such a fun, hardworking, and dedicated sport and I wanted to be apart of it. It also helped that I already had a love for the MMA world and this was exactly the kind of thing I was looking to get into. As soon as the movie ended I looked at my mom and said I’m going do that and looked up gyms that night.
The first one that came up on google search was Rothwell MMA. I don’t even think a week had passed and we were pulling up to the gym to go check it out. My brother came along because his goal was to try to sell some popcorn which made it look like the only reason we even walked in, but as soon as we did- I instantly fell in love. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a quiet Saturday morning, the gym looked a lot different than it does right now and I believe it was Ben, Wilson, and Scott that greeted us at the door. We talked for a little bit, I got some information, and was even more excited than I was after watching the movie.
I took my trial class shortly after that with Scott and it was quickly brought to our attention how out of shape I was. In fact, I clearly remember Scott having to help bring me out to the front because I thought I was going to pass out. Nonetheless, I was absolutely hooked and ready to start really getting into this. It also helped that when I came in for class, I found out that my school teacher, James Bochnovic, was also a member at the gym. At the time, I wasn’t really sure how I felt about that but he has turned into one of my favorite people and I’m so lucky to have him as a coach and as a friend. But honestly, who can’t say the same?
I came to kickboxing 3 days a week and was just head over heels in love. As I got better and more advanced I was able to start sparring and started coming 5 days a week. Sparring was a long learning process but everything takes time and as I got use to it I started to love it. I loved punching people in the face and honestly I loved getting punched in the face. It was always a learning experience. I loved everything about it. After I got my nose pierced I had to stop sparring for a while and never really got back into it but I miss it so much.
Although I never really got into Ju-Jitsu, it is my goal to one day do so. I recently got really into Kick Fit and I’m so happy I made the decision start class. Kick Fit has helped me so much. The people, instructors, and class itself are just amazing and I don’t know what I would do without it. I come to every class that I’m able to. Unfortunately because of work, I don’t make it to kickboxing classes as much but it’s still my favorite class. It doesn’t matter what I’m going through, whether I have a smile on my face or not, being in the gym and taking a kickboxing class is my little happy place/escape.
Over the years, I have watched myself grow, change and improve. I’ve watched Rothwell MMA grow, change, and transform into this amazing facility with the most amazing people and the most amazing system. I am so lucky to be a part of something so incredible and to have such incredible people in my life. This gym has helped me get in the best shape and inspires me to be healthy. It’s helped me find something I really love to do, given me a place to come and escape from life for a little bit. I’ve met so many people and have made friendships that will last a lifetime and memories I will never forget. Just walking into the gym puts a smile on a face. I am so thankful for everything Ben, Jen, and the gym has done for me and will probably continue to do. Even though I don’t make it to the gym as much as I used to, I still feel like it’s my home away from home. I love it and cherish it more than anything in the world. There’s definitely no other place like Rothwell MMA and I love being a part of something so special.”
Want to learn more about our family? Check out previous Rothwell MMA Member Spotlights HERE.