STUDENT VOICE | Page 6

INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENT / “Muay Thai gave me the confidence to go to college and college has changed my life for the better...” I have since went on to have 5 more fights, 4 wins and 1 loss; my last fight being the hardest so far. My opponent had been in the martial arts world for a lot longer than me and had roughly 25 more fights than I have had (I have only been competing for just over a year). She was ranked 4th in the UK at the 57kg weight category, and I knew it was going to be my biggest challenge. Lucky for me the fight went well and I came out with the win. It’s really proven my ability in Muay Thai. Now at the age of 24, I decided that I’ve had enough in dead-end jobs and that I should do what I had always wanted. Leaving my full-time secure job with the NHS to go to Ayrshire College and study NC sports. It was a choice I couldn’t take lightly as having a mortgage, car and bills to pay; I would be taking a huge financial cut. Saying all that it has been the best career move yet, achieving the student of the year award and finishing the course with flying colours, I got to skip a year and move straight up to HNC which I am currently still studying with the aim to progressing onto HND Sports Coaching & Development and finally onto University. As for work, I now work in two different gyms, in one I coach Muay Thai, and in the other I’m a kids leader. I am also getting involved with the White Ribbon Campaign delivering self-defence sessions for women who could potentially be victims of domestic abuse. You can hear more about Chelsey’s story by visiting the Ayrshire College YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/AyrshireCollege 6 Muay Thai gave me the confidence to go to college and college has changed my life for the better, and got me back on the path that I should never have left... THE STUDENT VOICE: EDITION 3