Meet Your Coaches
We understand what its like to lack energy, motivation and to feel downright unhappy with life. We also know what it takes to take that first step through the door for the first time to make that change…
Read our stories below and you'll see that we have all had our lives transformed by the one thing we love... boxing!
Whether its weight-loss, life transformation, gaining self confidence, finding friendship, saving a marriage, starting again or learning to live life to the fullest. All your Punch Love coaches understand what it feels like to want to make a change and live your best life, just like you.
What first brought you through the doors of Punch Love?
Dido: I love boxing and I’d been out for a while with injury. I was super keen and came for a look even before the doors were officially open. Nik was so friendly and enthusiastic. Its hard to explain but there was a feeling when I walked in. Everything felt right. It felt like it was made for me :) Here I am 8 years later and still love seeing the smile on ladies faces during and after class. We now have the daughters of members who first started with us. I love that family vibe.
Britt: I started at Punch Love 8 years ago after the birth of my first son after many recommendations about how great it was. After a few sessions I loved it and was hooked! Not long after I started training, I was offered a role teaching a couple of times a week, where I and taught and trained right through my second pregnancy. I write the programs now and have done for a few years. I just love watching the ladies come to increase their fitness, overcome their fears and find a welcoming place to train.
Bec: I was made redundant after 11 years at my last job. I needed a fresh start and joined boxing to help me work through how I was feeling. Over 5 months PL helped me through one of the hardest times of my life. Now I look after our new members, helping welcome and encourage them into our community. I’m so honoured to help our ladies the same way.
Fran: I have always been fairly fit and very active, but when I turned up to the open day I was recovering from major knee surgery and was struggling with my health due to Crohns. I was just going for a look, seriously the place was a good 40 min drive from home so it would want to be pretty special if they thought I was signing up! Out comes Nik, for a chat about ME and was genuinely interested in my story. I explained that I was 3 weeks off being allowed to exercise and that I would be in touch - normally I wouldn’t have followed up but guess what, turns out this place WAS pretty special, and the rest, as they say, is history! Two years later I was given the best opportunity ever and have enjoyed every minute of helping our members to their goals quicker . As a side note, and the real kicker - when I contacted Nik 3 weeks later she remembered me and my story. I’m sure that won’t surprise any of you - it epitomises the essence of this very special place.
Nik - Co-founder
I Weighed in at 122kg & a size 24 at my heaviest just after my 38th birthday. I hit rock bottom following an appointment with a physio who told me I was injured because I was just too fat, I was mortified! But it made me make a decision to never ever be that heavy again. I buddied up with a friend to give this 'boxing thing' ago. Before I knew it I was reaching small target after target and one day I just realised I was where I wanted to be. It was a really rewarding and enjoyable journey where I got physically stronger and mentally fitter an the same time. I'm happy in my self & love feeling full of energy & vitality. For me it was the love of Boxing that finally made something click. I think when you are faced with such a big task as losing 10, 20, 30 40 or more kgs, its really hard to see how you are going to do it. Those big numbers can be so overwhelming and big goals can seem like it will take forever to get to. I know what its like to just give up & eat instead. I know I got there, and so can you. I have never felt so good as I did turning 50! I am so glad I made the change.
There is nothing better than that feeling of connecting with something and feeling any frustrations from the day being released from your body. There are huge benefits to boxing. Don't take your daily frustrations home to your husband or family, Box It Out! I love how I can push myself harder and see the changes in my body when I do. Some days are mental training days others are physical.
To reach a goal, you should be excited about that goal and the result you are working toward. It should never feel like a task or hard work. You'll only show up if its something you can actually enjoy. I researched those that lost weight and kept it off. The common thread amongst all I interviewed was the finding of something that they enjoyed each day. They had made fitness a lifestyle not a destination. Boxing is that for me. At the end of a session, I always get that deep sense of satisfaction... I feel good!
I know you'll love our Punch Love sessions as much as I do! Check out our classes and timetable to see what suits your schedule. xxx Nik
Dom: I felt that Punch Love in some ways chose me. It came up on my News feed on Facebook and I just had to try it. I was intrigued by the boxing aspect of it too. Best decision I made. Nearly 3 and half years later Im still loving every moment. I also resonated with Karina and Nik, in their own weight loss and wellness stories, so that’s when I knew I had found my tribe.
Anne: I’m a huge advocate for exercise for mental health. From personal experience I know how empowering & life changing it can be. I promise you'll leave my sessions with a massive sense of achievement and all the feel good hormones flowing. I really love to show you just how capable you really are.
Kylie: To coin a phrase, I think I've found my tribe! I love the diverse mix of fabulous ladies that have made Punch Love so special, and that everyone feels that they can just be themselves here. I can't wait to help you all with your goals - there is no better feeling!
Vanessa: I’m all about a healthy balance of lifestyle and fitness. If transformation is your goal, hit me up for a chat. I’ve changed my lifestyle and life losing 30kgs on my journey. Even though we are group training, I really enjoy working individually with you in class to fine tune your training and work on your goals.
Karina - Co-founder
In 2014 I turned 40. For all intents and purposes I ‘had it all together’. As a wife and mother of two young children, I had a successful career as a business consultant operating my own company for over a decade. Behind the facade, I had reached the heaviest I had ever been, with zero energy and dwindling motivation. I was struggling with thoughts of ‘was this as good as it gets’.
At the same time I joined meditation classes (not that I am any good at it) but it gave me some all-important ‘me time’ to reflect on what I wanted from life. It hit me that only I could shape my future, I wasn’t a victim, I couldn’t blame my partner (who I adore) or work or anyone else for my circumstances, and in doing so I took responsibility for becoming the version of me I aspired to.
The critical turning point was when in April 2014, my inspirational bestie Nik opened the Boxing Room. It may sound dramatic but that moment felt like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I had never boxed before (I really didn’t train much) and commenced training with one arm - I had a major wrist reconstruction only 5 months prior and could not use my right wrist (you will still see me adapting exercises as a result of that injury).
What I found was a place where I could escape being all those things that people expected of me and just ‘be’. I found a community of ladies who inspired me and continue to inspire me every day. As the weight started to drop (56kg in total), my shape started to change and my fitness grew, as did my motivation. I sought to understand more about the changes that were happening with my body and took up tertiary studies in Fitness – it had been more than 20 years!
That leap of faith was the catalyst which, in 2015, saw Nik and I collaborate to create Punch Love as we now know it. Our mission was and continues to be, to change women’s lives. To give them the confidence to be whoever and whatever they wanted. Three studios later and we have been privileged to have touched 1000’s of lady’s lives.
I am a huge advocate for encouraging people to try something new, step out of our cliched ‘comfort zones’ and discover more about ourselves.
In 2019 stood on the stage in a Body Sculpting competition. As the oldest competitor, aged 44, my vision was to inspire people. I wanted to show people that you can set a challenge, plan for it and make it happen. If I can get on a stage in a sparkly bikini, then anything is possible. In 2021 I swam 110km in a marathon effort to raise funds for Youth Mental Health and in 2023 trekked the Larapinta Trail in the remote Northern Territory with a group of complete strangers.
You just have to believe you can do it (and sometimes fake it until you make it). I know from my own journey, that fitness is not a destination; it is a way of life and for me continues every day (some days are harder than others). It is not just about the scales, it is about that inner confidence to become that version of ourselves we aspire to in our own secret moments.
I am immensely proud be the co-founder Punch Love and walk alongside our coaches as they guide our members to help them discover themselves.
Let us be part of your journey, I believe in you xxx
