RESOURCES

"Martial Arts Saved Me" - every martial artist ever. Why do Martial Arts have such a big impact on mental health? On The Fight Back Podcast you'll hear from UFC fighters, University researchers, Women training to battle demons and everyone in between. Georgia and her guests explore trauma, mental health, exercise and all the reasons combat sports help us Fight Back against tough times.

Love Fighting Hate Violence (LFHV) is a campaign aiming to raise awareness of the important moral difference between sport-based combat, and violence. It seeks to encourage practitioners and fans of martial arts and combat sports to reflect on this distinction, and to encourage various forms of anti-violence action within and through their different disciplines.

Shape Your Life (SYL) is a free, trauma informed, non-contact boxing program for people who have experienced violence. SYL Toronto is the original site of the SYL program and operates as a partnership between Dr. Cathy van Ingen, Professor in Kinesiology at Brock University and Joanne Green, Executive Director with Opportunity for Advancement.

Emma Thomas is a writer, activist, and former Muay Thai fighter living in Bangkok, Thailand. She is the creator of the blog, “Under the Ropes,” a site for women interested in training Muay Thai in Thailand.

ESD Global’s mission is to establish empowerment self defense (ESD) training as a key violence prevention strategy to interrupt, respond to, and heal from interpersonal violence. The empowerment-based model of self-defense training includes physical self defense techniques, but also a comprehensive range of tactics including verbal techniques, awareness skills, confidence-building practices, and more. The empowerment model includes a focus on honoring and expanding the choices of participants, particularly those who have survived trauma and discrimination.

#SubmitTheStigma aims to make mental health as important as physical health in the martial arts community. Through advocacy, awareness and our programs, they create a community where training is a safe and healthy place for mental well-being.