Years before starting my Toowoomba fitness studio Kickstart Martial Arts and Yoga, I began remarkedly unathletic in school at St Peters Lutheran College. Despite an interest in Softball, Netball and Basketball I never made it on a single team that required a tryout. I had a clumsy love of Gymnastics, something I trained off and on. For Orienteering in High School I actually made a record. I was lost on the three tracks prior, so overly familiar with the course. My approach in life has generally been ‘stick with it and I’ll get there’.

At 13 years, I took up martial arts, inspired by my father’s passion. Having attained my Blackbelt in Grade 10, I graded to 2nd Degree Blackbelt in Anderson Bushi Kai (formerly Zen Do Kai) at 21 while studying at QUT. I also concurrently trained a tiny bit of BJJ and ranked as a Black Singlet in Muay Thai.

Pursuing martial arts

Predictably, I didn’t lose my love of martial arts. I shifted from Anderson Bushi Kai into Zen Do Kai for around 10 years after relocating from Brisbane to Toowoomba. However, I returned to ABK and now run a small and inclusive Anderson Bushi Kai dojo as part of Kickstart. (Yes – I relocated again for 3 years to the beautiful little village of Cooran in Noosa Hinterland, but more on that another time!)

I also took up ITF Taekwondo when I moved for my teaching position at Toowoomba Grammar School. My existing experience led me to attain my 1st Degree Blackbelt in ITF Taekwondo at 26. I eventually inherited the club, the largest United ITF Taekwondo School in Australasia at the time. Here, I represented on the Australian team.

After grading for my 3rd Degree (Red Singlet & Kru title), I received BJMA Muay Thai Female of the Year in 2014. I also graded for my 1st Degree Blackbelt in BJMA Krav Maga. Opening Kickstart Martial Arts and Yoga in 2015, I continued to teach martial arts. I was awarded Ishoa of the Year in 2015 in BJMA Zen Do kai before returning to Anderson Bushi Kai a few months later. I was awarded Ishoa of the Year in 2022 in Anderson Bushi Kai. Instructors who have instructed at the Kickstart Dojo include Rachel Timms and Dai Sensei Erin Lahey. Both are wonderfully experienced with children in their professional lives, too.

The year that changed it all

Although I tried yoga in school and at university, I was rapidly distracted. In my late 20s I tried it again to try it to help my recovery in martial arts. I quickly realised it significantly supported my mental health.

To begin my long service leave secondary education in 2014, I visited Thailand (for the 8th time – read about a previously eventful visit, reported by The Chronicle – and no, I didn’t realise this interview was recorded). Here I did some more Muay Thai training and yoga classes at Tiger Muay Thai. Travelling to Melbourne afterwards, I undertook my Personal Training qualifications to enhance my martial arts instruction.

During my long service I undertook training for the Australian team for United ITF Taekwondo. I competed in sparring in Italy (though experiencing Giardia at the same time!) at the United ITF International Championships.  When I returned I trained to instruct Les Mills Body Balance. I later went on to complete further instructor training and Elite recognition. I loved BB but let Les Mills go because my brain found it challenging to learn and retain the choreography!

After completing my 8th Year on staff at TGS (over 10 years in Secondary teaching), I resigned from my full-time position. At Byron Yoga Centre, I undertook my Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training and Purna Yoga and from there the passion for yoga has only grown. I followed this with Level 2, Certificate IV, Bliss Baby Yoga Pre and Postnatal, Inspired Kids Yoga, Biomedical Institute of Yoga – Yoga Therapy, and other specialisations. It’s been a goal for several years to slow down on the studies! 

December 2022 marked 8 years since I began my Yoga Teaching and Yoga Therapy journey, and 9 years since beginning the Personal Trainer journey.

Creating Nimble Ninjas for my studio

Nimble Ninjas is Kickstart’s trademarked program, which includes yoga, mindfulness and martial arts. It’s based on Anderson Bushi Kai, ITF Taekwondo and Muay Thai. I have designed Nimble Ninjas to encourage confidence, capabilities and calm in an inclusive way for children.

My background in teaching and working with young people

My classroom teaching has ranged from Catholic, GPS, Lutheran, to University of Southern Queensland. During my more than 10 years in the full-time Secondary classroom, I taught English and Drama (and Religion) in the middle years. I’ve also supported students more individually with various learning needs in Learning Support. This was a role towards the end of my classroom time that I especially loved. I coached Debating, Volleyball and Basketball for beginner teams, worked on school productions, and ran a Theatre Club that led 22 excursions one year.

I’ve also provided Relief Teaching (and yoga!) for Prep through to Year 12 on several Toowoomba school campuses since leaving the full-time classroom in exchange for Kickstart Martial Arts and Yoga.

Tertiary education drew me in as well. I have taught Preparation courses, English preparation courses, and students visiting from Asia. The wide variety of experience helps me connect with my Toowoomba fitness studio students of all backgrounds.

Since first completing my teaching degree, I have also privately tutored students who were gifted and talented. I also work with students who needed remedial support in areas such as English, Drama, HPE and proofreading in Humanities and Science. My content areas of special interest include Persuasive Speaking and Writing, Monologues, Short Stories, Sentence/Paragraph/Essay Structure, Study Skills, and beginners. Although I’ve tutored Basic Math, I actively avoid it! I love assisting students face-to-face in planning and drafting their work. I’m deterred from returning to permanent teaching by the marking.

Kickstart is for everyone, especially neurodivergent students

I’m late diagnosed AuDHD, meaning I am Autistic and have ADHD. I recognise that this has allowed me to pursue my passions with such hyperfocus, and to have a natural affinity for those who share in neurodiversity or have an interest in my special interests. However, it leaves me prone to over stimulation, executive dysfunction, and burnout.  Kickstart Martial Arts and Yoga allows me to share my special interests. Sharing the endless benefits, in a neurodivergent friendly environment, is core to the Kickstart philosophy. The purpose of Kickstart is to educate, enrich, empower and encourage! Join us today for your first class.