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Photo credit: Denise Meltzer

coach (kōch)⁠
n.⁠
In Sports a person who trains or directs athletes or athletic teams.⁠
A person who gives instruction or guidance: a boxing coach; a life coach.⁠
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A boxing coach is someone who is licensed by the governing body of their province, state or territory. ⁠
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Boxing is a lifelong journey and you really should mentally plan to have many coaches in your life. The hope is to learn the different aspects of your sport, let their mastery become a part of yours as no one coach is the same. Also no single coach knows everything and to support you as a boxer your coach should allow some input and collaboration for the benefit of your progression where possible.⁠
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There should always be a mutual respect in the relationship. If that's not the case you might want to think about finding that coach who has your best interest at heart. ⁠
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GJWB is creating a network of female and female supportive coaches, boxing leaders and community that want growth in the sport through positive gender equity.⁠
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Our coaching philosophy at GJWB is technique is the rule, not the exception. Style is something you develop as you grow, and progression over perfection is the only way to become a better boxer or person for that matter. ⁠
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What is the most important thing a coach has taught you?

team (tiːm) ⁠
n (sometimes functioning as plural)⁠
A number of persons associated together in work or activity: such as: a group on one side (as in football or a debate) b: CREW, GANG⁠
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TEAM ⁠
GJWB ⁠
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Is a community first and foremost. Even though boxing is an individual sport, it takes a team to make a fighter. ⁠
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The best fighters have a solid team behind them. ⁠
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GJWB wants to be that TEAM for all females in the sport. When we connect and support each other there is nothing we can’t do together. ⁠
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Teach the sport⁠
Connect & find sparring partners ⁠
Support each other with money by watching fights⁠
Create opportunities⁠
Grow the boxing community ⁠
Job creation within the sport⁠
Educate - Develop - Connect ⁠
Be one so they can see one⁠
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Empowered women - Empower women ⁠
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We are doing this to create a better present day in boxing and we are seeing it move in the right direction finally but we have a long way to go. We are doing this for the future for our lil stars of boxing.⁠
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We have put together a fantastic group of Ambassadors & Mentors for our TEAM. Each of which brings their own experience, personality, role within boxing, and passion for driving the sport in the best direction.

We can't wait to introduce you to the stars of TEAM GJWB as we will continue to grow and be the world’s largest female boxing community!

We will be posting profiles of each of them over the next few weeks so stay tuned. 

**By following us here - you are already part of the TEAM. If we haven’t said it yet - WELCOME!! :) **

GJWB is a PROUD sponsor of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame Awards - taking place August 14 2021

It is an honour to help celebrate this decorated list of twenty-four international inductees from 2020 & 2021. They are boxers and women's boxing enthusiasts who have paved the way for us to continue to do what we love and create the future women's boxing deserves.

This will be the seventh induction celebration and the largest in the history of the IWBHF. This Hall of Fame dinner, induction ceremony and reception will be taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada August 14th at the Orleans Hotel & Casino. The evening kicks off with a meet and greet session for the honorees and invited guests, followed by the IWBHF tradition of having every female boxer sign the historic 7’ ft. high historical pioneer banner.

Guest speakers include: Christy Martin, Layla McCarter, Bianca Gutierrez, Daisy Lang, and Graciela Casillas.

For anyone in the Las Vegas area or if you were looking for the perfect excuse to go to Vegas - Details and tickets can be found on the website by clicking here.

Or reach out to us directly for more information by emailing us: info@girlsjustwannabox.com.

WHO IS Sue "TL" Fox? 

Sue is the amazing Founder/Chairwoman/& President of the IWBHF (pictured below) and the creator of the WBAN network. The Women's Boxing Archive Network where she reports on our sport daily and continually shines a light on all women in the sport of boxing. She has been a fighter and is always fighting for equality and equity for women in the sport we love. Sue herself is a Hall of Famer, former World Class Boxer, rated #1 in the world in 1979, and creator/founder of WBAN™. She was named in the Feb. 2012 Commemorative issue of Ring Magazine as one of the Top-Ten Most Influential female boxers of all time. In 2008, USA Boxing presented an award to Fox for her contributions in developing the sport. Since its inception on the internet back in 1998, WBAN has become the world’s leading authority for resource and information in all things female boxing!

GJWB would like to thank Sue as she is an 'OG' of the Girls Just Wanna Box movement and she has paved the way for us. We thank you to the moon and back Sue for all you have done in the sport and continue to do through WBAN and the IWBHF!

Stay tuned for our full coverage of the event - we will go LIVE on IG and totally boxing girl geek out!  Hopefully Sue has time to go LIVE with us along with the inductees and special guests!

The Webster definition of a role model is: a person whose behaviour in a particular role is imitated by others.

Being a role model is a very serious and impactful job, but on the other hand, it is also an extremely rewarding and fulfilling job.   

As adults and coaches, I understand our influence on our young girls, teens and even the adult women we coach. As much as we teach the sport of boxing to improve their physical fitness and boxing skill, we are responsible for guiding them through a comprehensive healthy lifestyle which may include: nutritional advice, mental strength and fortitude, self love, and the importance of overall health to help them in their daily lives while forming habits to last a lifetime.

In 2013, Coach Kristina was introduced to the Fast & Female by her dear friend and Olympian boxer Mandy Bujold. She fell in love with all of it and shortly after became a R.E.A.L Role Model with Fast & Female – an organization whose mission is to keep girls healthy and active in sports; a mission that GJWB also embodies. Fast & Female introduces self-identified girls aged 8-14 to inspiring athlete role models at non-competitive, fun-filled events all over North America. I joined the program later in 2018. R.E.A.L Role Model refers to: Relatable, Empowered, Active Leaders.

41% of girls age 3-16 don’t participate in any sport. Without the introduction to sports, they are unaware of the benefits. Especially for girls in that age group it is vital that they are exposed to women in sport – whether these women are: athletes, coaches, sports broadcasters, officials, Olympians, nutritionists, therapists, etc – to show options for when they go grow up. There are many opportunities to be involved with sports outside of going to the Olympics and many opportunities and careers after the Olympics. Without visible women in these roles it may seem unavailable, unachievable or not even and option. You have to see one to be one.

Coach KJEM and I have been VERY lucky to partner and work on Fast & Female champ chats and other events (including virtual!) to introduce boxing to girls and help encourage them to stay in sport. Sport not only has physical benefits, but also helps young girls and teens develop the confidence, leadership and teamwork skills that are essential for life.

        Studies from Ernst & Young have found that 94% of women who hold C-suite level positions are former athletes - proving the correlation between athletics and leadership. 

Having had many opportunities to be at these events, it is extremely rewarding to see the spark in these girl’s eyes as they learn how to throw punches, have fun, make new friends, and allow us to share our personal experiences in the boxing world. I know first-hand how boxing has changed my life and I just want to encourage these girls to stay active in boxing or any sport!

In the sport of boxing specifically, we need to see more females in all areas: athletes, coaches, cut (wo)man, officials, referees, announcers, commentators, promoters, etc. There are many different path options for girls and women to stay in the sport of boxing as a career even if/when they are not competing. Without these role models we may lose these girls to another sport or career path.

As the community pillar of GJWB and Level 5 of our program, we have a network of women within the sport to assist girls with any questions, sparring, clubs, connecting with other athletes, and more. It is our goal to bridge the gap and help our community with their boxing journey - wherever it may take them! This is also something GJWB will continue to do with the ambassador program launching in 2021. Please sign up to our newsletter below to stay up to date on that program and all things GJWB.

Do you have any role models in your life? How have they influenced you through sport or general life?

In the last year, I have had 3 injuries- nothing broken, but enough to put me out for 2 months- including my most recent one to date.

I was upset and cried. I enjoy being active and having to eliminate or reduce this was difficult.

Trying to change this negative to a positive, I started to think of activities and tasks I could do while I can’t be training and wanted to share:

• Watch your old sparring and fight videos to see your progress and make note of areas you need to work on
• Using your notes of areas to work on; create an action plan for how to improve in those areas
• 5 minutes of meditation and breathing everyday to help release bad energy (even momentarily)
• Watch professional fights to observe and learn tactics, strategies and technique
• Write down 3 goals you want to achieve when you do get back to training (don’t need to be big, can be small!)
• Go for a walk or cross train if you are able. Do some physical exercise (again if you’re able) for your mental health
• On the topic of mental health. Use this time to strength your mental game. Boxing is a physical sport, but it also requires a strong mental performance. Journaling could be a form of building your confidence, giving yourself a mantra that you write down or say out loud often, and/or doing word puzzles to get mental stimulation
• If retail therapy will help, maybe buying a new gym outfit that you can wear when you can go back to training
• Lastly do not miss out on your prescribed medication, ice and/or heat as prescribed, and stretching. The more pro-active you are with your treatment the better off you are to recover in the prescribed time from your therapist
• SLEEP; now more than ever, try and give yourself enough rest as this will help with recovery as much as possible

Have you had an injury that put you out? What strategies have you used to help you get through it? Any other suggestions you can contribute in the comments?

How to find the class schedule & register:

1) Class schedule and registration will be found on the GloFox app under Girls Just Wanna Box or from the JOIN CLASSES tab on the GJWB website. If it is your first class, you may 'purchase' for your first class free. Otherwise you may purchase a class punchcard or use any current credits you have on your account. 
2) You must register for the class on GloFox so we know numbers and can prepare the classes, there is quite a bit of prep work done with Virtual classes to ensure the best workout possible. 🙏🏼. You will need to either purchase a membership - first class free, drop in, or punchcard before you can register for a class. 
3) You will also need to download the Zoom Cloud Meeting app  (where the class will take place) on either your phone, tablet, or computer.  
4) 1 hour before the class time frame you will be emailed a meeting URL link and password to join the class.
5) Click on the link emailed to you and enter the password to join!
6) Don't forget you will need: space to move around, water, and we will bring the energy. ⚡️ 

If you have any questions with setting up your Glo Fox and/or Zoom, please do not hesitate to email us: info@girlsjustwannabox.com 

We look forward to seeing you all online!!

We totally understand when you go to a new gym let alone a boxing club it can be super intimidating. We outline some important questions to ask when you're just starting out as a beginner boxer.