India Mae - Kickboxing Interview

India Mae

17 year old India Mae has been kickboxing for around 7 years now.

In that time she has worked hard to achieve huge success in the sport; from representing England & Wales, traveLling across Europe to compete, winning Gold at 10 World Championships and winning Junior Martial Artist of the year 2018 just to mention a few, along with earning her Second Degree Black Belt.

In October, with the help of the BKC & the ICO, she will be giving something back to the community. Not only will she be opening her new school, White Tiger Martial Arts and Fitness, from the 1st October, but she is also currently working on her own programme with her local MP and the police to roll out an anti-knife campaign. This will see her visiting school Children in years 6 and 7 to talk about knife crime, the benefit of martial arts, getting kids off the streets and in to a gym, along with what you should be doing if you are put in that situation.

India Mae is hugely inspiring. Read her blog here and watch her in action (in the red headguard)

So how did you get started?

Kickboxing has been a huge part of my life and oddly shaping my future. My grandfather started a martial arts school with a friend in our local village hall in the 70’s (way before I was born).

My father trained there and spookily one of my main coaches, when he was a teenager.

I was a typical 10 year old girl - reasonability fit and active, living in a village which did not have anything going on for kids apart from “Brownies”

One very cold January my father decided to take me to a kickboxing club to see if I liked it, run by a former student of my grandfather's.

I guess with family history I was a natural and really loved it. My 11 year old sister now attends that club.

But why kickboxing?

I was going to secondary school and one away from all my primary school friends. My parents wanted me to be more confident and believed this would help me come out of my shell and engage with other children more.

It did, as I met other children who would be attending that school when I arrived.

I also found that I was actually very confident, but had not realised it - good Coach will inspire you to be the best you can.

Is it easy to find a good Kickboxing Club?

There are lots of different types of martial arts. I tried a few like judo, and karate but I found kickboxing gave me more confidence in my own ability.

Many clubs offer a free trial and my advice is go along and try them all and see which one you feel comfortable at.

A very good tip is look on the British Kickboxing Council web site as many of its member clubs are listed.

www.the-bkc-.com

What can Kickboxing do for you?

Kickboxing can do so much with the right coach and environment. It’s great for fitness, it helped me focus and plan better ( hard for a ten year old ) but I knew training was Monday night so i would make sure my kit was ready, I looked at what I ate also, didn’t want burger and chips on training night, which led me to eat lighter food. After a while you don’t miss the heavy food. In fact I very rarely eat chips now, it was an every night item on my plate before.

And teamwork! When you join clubs especially martial arts your fellow students are part of that team and family and you don’t want to let them down by not turning up.

Also you help each other out and support each other especially if you decided to attend competitions which you don’t have to if you don’t want to.

For me cheering a fellow student on to win is great fun and when it’s your turn having the whole of your team shouting “Come on India” made me feel much more positive about my chances of winning.

What Kit Do I need ?

All clubs have a uniform. If you spar, which is a practice fight against each other ,you will need protective clothing.

A good club will always ensure you wear and bring protective clothing before you take part in any contact sport.

Some clubs will have some items that can be shared, however it is always better to have your own kit as you learn to respect and look after it.

Items may include:

Gum Shied – head guard – shin guards – elbow pads - foot guards/ kickboxing boots a set of boxing gloves and points gloves depending on what you do

Would I recommend kickboxing as an activity ?

100%! It has kept me fit and active and I have friends all over the world follow me on social media who have the very same interest and beliefs as I do within this sport.

Where Can Kickboxing Take You ?

Anywhere you want to go

For me it wasn’t always about competing. I preferred to train more in the gym than be in a boxing Ring or on a matt in a huge sports hall. I was always so nervous; I still am when I compete.

It was about the people around me and the amazing people whom I have met over those 7 years, which are in their hundreds.

I have been approached by people in Italy who come up and want a photo and talk to me, but whom I have never met (let alone understand any Italian).

Amazing coaches from other clubs who stand in when they have to and treat you as their own student. Not many sports do that.

I’ve also met former Olympic martial arts heroes to martial arts actors and received letters of honour from Number 10, so it’s been an amazing journey that anyone can take up.

And what are your plans for the future?

Kickboxing for me has evolved my sporting interest; I’m now at college studying sports and fitness and coaching.

I have certificates to coach Level 1 Boxing, Advanced Boxercise, first aid and disabled, children which was a very special time for me.

I never thought I would be looking at a career in sport. In turn this has also opened a door at university if I want to.

Honestly , University was never an option on the table as I wasn’t that academic: I’m also going back to my old secondary school for work experience as a PE teacher (me a teacher... I think my Old PE teacher wont believe it when I arrive)

I’ve been very lucky and honoured to represent my country thanks to the International Combat Organisation, which I am a member of, but now I’m looking to go back to grass roots level and teach kickboxing to children under 12