KB MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: GABI

In this chapter of our KB Member Spotlight, we celebrate Gabi’s inspiring journey at KB Fitness.

Gabi (on the far left in the picture) has been training in the martial arts at KB Fitness for three years, during which time she has achieved her Orange Belt in KB Kickboxing and White Sash in KB Kung Fu. Her dedication, passion, and high standard shine through in every class.

Reflecting on her time with KB, Gabi shared: “Training at KB has changed my body and mind in ways I never expected.”

Her journey began during the pandemic, when she first discovered kickboxing classes online. After moving to England, she knew she wanted to find a kickboxing gym, and KB immediately stood out. “It felt safe, especially for women, and welcomed people from all walks of life and experience levels,” she said. Although it took her a little while to attend her first class, once she did, she never looked back.

From the very beginning, she felt supported: “The experienced, warm and encouraging instructors, along with both advanced and beginner students, made me feel truly welcome and taught me to honour my own journey. I initially joined KB to get fitter, but after just a few classes, I fell in love with martial arts.”

Like many of our members, Gabi found herself drawn not only to the training, but also to the progression and sense of achievement that grading offers. “After a few months, I decided to start grading because I could see how much I was improving,” she explained. “That sense of achievement, the joy of being in the dojo with my friends, having fun, growing, and learning, along with the incredible support from all the teachers and students, including our Chief Instructor, made me want to keep going.”

Grading quickly became an important part of Gabi’s journey. It was her chance to put into action everything she had been training for. “Grading isn’t easy. It takes hard work, but that’s the point. You prove to yourself that you’re capable of things you once doubted. Like any sport, martial arts requires dedication, the willingness to fail, and the strength to come back even better.”

Beyond belts and skills, martial arts training at KB has also had a profound impact on Gabi’s daily life. She credits her training with helping her become more disciplined, focused, and resilient: “Training Kickboxing and Kung Fu with Kelly (KB) has helped me become more disciplined, focused, and resilient, and those are things I carry with me every day.” She also noticed improvements in her sleep, diet, patience, and even her anxiety levels. “With all the stress that modern life brings, the dojo is a great place to let go of it in a healthy way. As you train, you learn to channel and focus your energy not only through your mind but also through your body.”

Perhaps most importantly, she found a community that feels like home. “What I love most is the sense of community. We’re all there with the same goal, supporting each other, without any pressure or competition. The only person you’re really competing with is yourself.”

Looking back, Gabi has no regrets about taking that first step: “I started training and never regretted it for a single day. Now, I recommend kickboxing and KB Fitness to everyone I meet.”

Inspired by Gabi’s story? Come and begin your own martial arts journey with us at KB Fitness – your first step could change everything.