It was fall 2017 when a then five-year old girl tried the youth class at Carlsbad Kickboxing Club. At the time, most students in the program were around eight years old or older, but, “it depended on the kid,” said the head coach. So, she, along with her older six-year-old sister, gave it a shot.

It was clear that her sister wasn’t into it from the beginning, but it was as if Madelyn, the five-year-old, had found her place. She was in her element.

Madelyn chased the older boys around trying to hit and kick them during the class. She trapped her older sister against the wall with some punches, and even growled at the instructors when they asked her to really try and focus on the moves in the drill.

It was clear that Madelyn had zero fear, but quickly, her trial was over. She just wasn’t ready.
A few months went by, and she tried again. Still, it was the same outcome. She was determined and promised to “do better.”

Thankfully, that Spring, she ran into The head coach who remembered that fire in her and he took a chance. He said Madelyn was ready and he opened the youth class to its youngest member at the time.

“Rolando gave me my shot and I haven’t looked back,” says the now nine-year-old Madelyn.

Now, the fourth grader attends every class she can, begs to have private training and says that muay thai will be her life. She has participated in in house fight nights, has won a PKB belt, participates in PKBs against boys, older kids and is really open to anyone.

Not only does she hold her own, but even if she doesn’t win a fight, she always leaves the ring asking when she can fight again. “It is my passion and I hope to fight in Thailand one day,” she says.

We look forward to what the future holds for the determined girl, who says she is “just so happy” that she found muay thai.

If you are interested in joining the youth program at Carlsbad Kickboxing Club, click here to sign up for a trial class