If you are truly a mentor, there is a Bad Girls Boxing story just waiting to be told.  Reaching out and touching the life of a child brings a sense of value to your life. The women that have experienced this program understand that and are reaching out to the children that need them. Bad Girls Boxing, Inc would like to thank one of Women Boxings best, MOLLY McCONNELL for understanding the mission and reaching out to children that are struggling. Molly exemplifies all that Bad Girls Boxing stands for.

MEET ALEX! 
By Molly McConnell

I'd like to introduce you to my newest client, Alex. Alex is a 10-year-old girl whose mother contacted me about private boxing lessons. When I met with Alex's mom, she explained to me that her daughter had been bullied at school by another 10-year-old girl. The verbal abuse had been going on for a couple of months before her mom realized what was happening. She only got the whole story out of her daughter because she noticed that Alex was becoming withdrawn and angry at home and described her as having "less light in her eyes". There was definitely something going on with her usually outgoing, bubbly, talkative little girl.

     Alex's mom immediately contacted the school and the principal set up a meeting with the mothers of both the girls. When presented with the evidence of the bullying her daughter had perpetrated against Alex, the mother was completely disinterested in intervening or in reprimanding her child. She was unapologetic about her daughter's behavior and responded, "Well, kids pick on each other. I don't understand why everyone is making such a big deal about this." She refused to participate in a solution or even have a conversation with her daughter about the situation. If we ever wonder why kids behave in certain ways, usually you need to look no further than their parents. Kids learn how to treat people by watching the adults in their lives and that usually starts with the adults they are around the most, their own parents. It truly broke my heart to hear her story.

     Alex's mom told me that Alex had watched the Karate Kid on TV and immediately told her, "I want to do that!" It was the first thing she had showed any interest or excitement in since experiencing the bullying. As Alex's mom talked to her about the movie, she realized that the reason Alex liked it was because the Karate Kid had been bullied and picked on and learned to fight back. He found his inner strength through Karate and the confidence to stand up for himself. Her mom explained to her that it doesn't happen in real life like it does in the movie, but that if she wanted to do something like that, her mom would find a place for her to go. She came across my website and thought boxing might be the answer for her little girl.

     Alex has had a few lessons with me and she has a real knack for boxing. She's a beautiful, smart, precocious, funny little girl and really a joy to work with. The second time she came in the gym, she spent some time studying all the fight posters up on the walls. She asked me when she gets to have her picture on the wall. Her mom explained to her that those were real boxers and that they probably trained for a long time before they got to go up on the wall. Alex also told me that none of her friends at school believed that she was boxing. So this week I had a surprise for her when she came in for her lesson....

      After we were done with her lesson, I took one of my championship belts and my camera out of my bag. I told her that she had earned her spot on the wall and that I was going to make her a copy of the picture so she could take it to school and show all her friends. She was mesmerized by the belt and couldn't wait for me to put it around her waist. It made her so happy to have her picture taken with her gloves on and I could see the pride she took in herself when I looked at the photos. Alexs mom told me that she has already seen a difference in her daughter's self esteem and that her "light" is coming back. Shes coming out of her shell again. That's what boxing can do for people. It has a special way of making you believe in your own power, even if you never fight anyone. The sense of accomplishment and confidence it instills is the biggest victory of all, even if you are a little 10-year-old girl. 

     So heres a message to all the adults out there. If you have children in your life, YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL, whether you know it or not, whether the kids are your own or someone elses. Alexs bully learned her behavior from someone (Im pretty sure I know who), so whether you are a parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend, teacher or coach, be aware. These kids are watching YOU. They are learning from you and all you say and do. They are watching how you behave and how you treat other people. Children will learn the lessons you teach, whether you mean to teach them or not. Remember this next time you comment on someone being fat or ugly or stupid. Look around to see who is listening. If there is a child present, you are being recorded. The greatest gift we can give our children is our own example. So be strong. Be honest. Be fair. Be positive. Be friendly. Be supportive, be giving, most of all, BE KIND. 

     Heres to Alex and anyone else who has ever been made to feel like she did. One day they will realize that the differences between us are what make us each special and unique. But for now, sometimes its enough just to have someone give you a little lift until you can learn to lift yourself.  True champions fight through adversity. And clearly, sometimes true champions come in very small packages. 
     
Great Job Alex!