" I grew up knowing that I was different to everyone one else. I was sensitive in ways which were not deemed to be "normal". My life was turmoil from a very young age. I struggled with concentration and focus. I was a very frusttated and angry child. I was labelled as the naughty kid and was expelled from three secondary schools and ultimately ended up assualting a Police Officer.

I was a Youth offender and my parents could not cope with my behavior. I left home at 13 and was living rough, homeless and become addicted to amphetimines, smoking crack and used heroin. I would have regular run ins with the Police who would attempt to return me back to my Parents but I was not welcome there and my Dad applied to the High Court to make me a "Ward of the Court", I became under the Guardianship of the High Court and was placed in foster care.

Nobody wanted to foster me, i tried to stay with my friends as often as I could. I would run away alot and was eventually placed in a care home. I was placed back into the education system and was diagnosed with Dyslexia and ADHD. Still within my teens a met an older male, who groomed me into sellings drugs for him pretending to be my boyfriend. This relationship become abusive both physically and emotionally. At one point I was nearly beaten and choked to death. Eventually, this man was jailed and I managed to escape and get the help I needed.

However, getting clean was a result of my time in prison. Because of the life I had, I was always getting arrrested, in and out of Police Stations, Courts etc and racked up multiple convictions.

Throughout that abusive relationship I had gained so much weight trying to get clean off drugs and become a Mother, I was over a size 20. I was a big girl. Once I was given this fresh start, I started working on myself, trying to lose weight, but ended up with an eating disorder, obsessed about not puting weight on again.

I then started body building where I finally managed to resolve my nutrition and eating problems. I had a regime and I was finally in a safe place both physically and mentally. I now train to control my mental health.  I started Kickboxing in a ladies only class and worked myself up to being comfortable in a mixed class to full contact sparring. I worked my way up the grading system but then wanted to compete. I then saw Mansfield Boxing Academy advertised.

I then ran a Project of Ladies Only Boxercise, non contact boxing training for fitness.

Being a member of Mansfield Boxing Academy on the journey to competing have been one of the best choices I've made, its like being a part of a family. The Academy has taught me self control, patience, to control my anger, manage my anxiety. My mental health is so much better thanks to the training at the Academy.

I am now a licensed boxer through England Boxing and hope to compete in the following seasons. The Coaches really put the work in to their boxers and the support and team morale is in abundance."

Becky is still training to compete as a boxer and is aspiring to be a Boxing Coach and Mentor to run Projects or work in roles that help people who have been through similar life experiences.