Women of Lionheart: Different Paths Into Muay Thai

Not every woman starts Muay Thai for the same reason. Some join looking for a new way to stay active after work. Others want to challenge themselves, build confidence, or learn something completely outside of their comfort zone. Some end up falling in love with the technical side of the sport and eventually step into fights or interclub events, while others simply enjoy training casually as part of their weekly routine.

At Lionheart MMA, there is no single type of person who trains Muay Thai. Everyone enters the gym with different goals, different backgrounds, and different experiences. But over time, many end up finding something they never expected about the sport.

Addie: Finding Confidence Through Training

Addie started training with us in March 2026 and the decision to start Muay Thai came from her desire to learn self-defence. While exploring options such as Krav Maga and women's self-defence classes, she found herself drawn to Muay Thai as a practical and accessible way to build those skills.

Despite having some martial arts experience, walking into a new gym was still intimidating at first. However, her first impressions of Lionheart quickly put her at ease. "The coaches are really friendly. Compared to some places, the environment is much more welcoming and less intimidating. They push you to improve, but not to the point of injury."

What surprised her most was the consistency of the culture throughout the gym. Regardless of which class she attended or which coach was teaching, she felt encouraged and supported. "It feels like everyone is part of the same team. The coaches all come from different backgrounds and have different stories, but there is a strong sense of community throughout the gym."

Today, training has become a regular part of her routine. Beyond the physical benefits, it has also become a way to decompress from the stresses of daily life. "It feels a bit like therapy. I feel better about myself after training, and I don't feel guilty about enjoying good food afterwards."

Outside the gym, Muay Thai has also helped her develop greater confidence and a better understanding of self-defence. "There's a difference between knowing how to protect yourself and wanting to hurt someone. Training helped me understand that."

When asked what she would say to another woman considering Muay Thai, her answer was simple: "At the end of the day, you're responsible for protecting yourself. It's unfortunate that we have to think about that, but learning how to defend yourself is never a bad thing."

While some women join Muay Thai looking for a new hobby or way to stay active, others are drawn to the challenge of testing their limits.

Aishah: Pushing Limits Through Competition

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Aishah has trained with us since September 2025 and for her, Muay Thai was a natural next step after boxing. She saw it as an opportunity to continue developing herself, learn new skills, and push herself beyond her comfort zone. "I wanted to level up from boxing. For me, training has always been a form of self-development and a way to see what I'm capable of."

Her first experience at Lionheart was much like many other beginners. She found the environment welcoming, beginner-friendly, and approachable. "The gym was clean, welcoming, and inclusive. It never felt intimidating, and the location made it easy to fit training into my routine after work."

Unlike many people who slowly discover a competitive side through training, she knew from the beginning that she wanted to compete. However, transitioning from boxing to Muay Thai came with its own challenges. "There were a lot of habits I had to relearn. My stance was different, and I had to learn how to properly use kicks, knees, and elbows. It really reminded me how important the basics are."

Through months of consistent training and repetition, she gradually built confidence in her abilities and felt ready to step into her first Muay Thai event after six months of training. Going into competition, she was more focused on testing herself and putting her training into practice than dwelling on nerves. "I was excited more than anything. I wanted to see if I could apply everything I had been learning in training. It wasn't about putting pressure on myself, it was about showcasing six months of consistency and seeing what I could do."

Outside of the gym, training and competition have given her a new perspective on what women are capable of achieving when they challenge themselves. "Training is one thing. Competing is another. As women, we're not always encouraged to put ourselves in situations that require this kind of intensity. But I hope more women can see that it's absolutely possible. You can put yourself in a position to succeed, sometimes all you have to do is try."

When asked what she would say to women considering Muay Thai, her advice extended beyond martial arts. "For most women, the thought has probably been there for a while. Not just for Muay Thai, but for anything difficult or unfamiliar. The first day is never easy, but having a community and a sense of purpose helps. Women wear many hats, but that shouldn't stop them from trying something new."

Queenie: Making Martial Arts Part of Everyday Life

Queenie has been a member of Lionheart MMA since January 2025. When she first joined the gym in 2022, back when it was operating as Jungle MMA, she wasn't looking to compete or become a fighter. Having recently changed jobs, she found herself with more free time after work and wanted to revisit something she had tried briefly almost ten years earlier. Originally, she was looking for a place where she could train both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while improving her overall fitness. Jungle’s location near her workplace made it an easy option to fit into her routine.

Like many members, she initially joined to try something new. What she didn't expect was how naturally training would become part of her life. "A lot of people think about training as another thing to add to their schedule, but for me it became the hour where I could switch my brain off after work."

Over time, she found herself planning her week around classes and balancing both Muay Thai and BJJ. Training was no longer something she did occasionally, it became a consistent part of her routine. Even during busy periods at work, she continued showing up. "Even when I'm tired, I know I'll feel better after class. It's one hour to do something different, see friends, and focus on something other than work."

After more than three years at the gym, one of the things she appreciates most is the people around her. While the gym has grown and welcomed many new members, the supportive atmosphere has remained the same. "People here genuinely look out for each other. Everyone wants to train safely and improve together."

For her, martial arts has become much more than just a workout. It's a way to stay active, disconnect from the stresses of everyday life, and be part of a community that keeps her coming back.

When asked what she would say to another woman considering martial arts, her advice was simple: "Just try. Why not?"

More than just a sport

While Addie, Aishah and Queenie have different reasons for training, their stories share something in common, they all found something meaningful through Muay Thai. Addie found confidence, practical self-defence skills, and a healthy outlet for stress. Aishah discovered a passion for pushing her limits and competing. And Queenie made it a consistent part of her routine, a place to switch off, stay active, and connect with a community she has grown alongside for more than three years. None of these journeys were planned from the beginning, but they all started with a simple decision to try something new.

Perhaps that's what makes Muay Thai unique. Few activities ask you to confront discomfort so directly, whether it's learning to throw your first kick or pushing through a demanding round on the pads. Yet it's often through those challenges that people discover confidence, resilience, and a sense of capability that carries far beyond the gym.

If you've been curious about Muay Thai, Lionheart MMA offers daily fundamental classes and a 2-class trial for $36. Whether you're looking for a new challenge, a supportive community, or simply a chance to step outside your comfort zone, the first step is yours to take.