My passion for martial arts began as an accident. The wrong box was ticked on ‘try a new sport’ day at school. By chance, I was put in for kickboxing at a local club in Bunbury. It was not long after this that I stopped playing soccer at a state level and started kickboxing.

Upon moving to Perth, I quickly found a local club to train at, and over the course of 13 years I was graded to 4th Degree Black Belt. I also worked for this club for just over 12 years. Starting out as an assistant instructor and working my way up to head instructor of my own centre.

At the age of 23, I entered into negotiation with the owner to purchase the centre I was managing. My dream came to realisation in 2014 when I purchased the dojo and changed its name to what it is today Wilkes Martial Arts and Fitness Academy.

I pride myself on being involved at every level within the dojo. I am often the person cleaning, holding pads, coaching students, being the water boy or the check out chick at the front counter, and I have a sworn agreement with myself to never just be a figure head but to always be involved at the ground level.