We have many amazing people with interesting stories that walk into all our gyms! The member spotlight turns to Kayla “The Brickhouse” Hamilton, one of our plant-powered bad asses who’s turned ground and pound into an absolute art form. We’re so proud to see how far Kayla has come on her martial arts journey so far (including a total weight loss of 38 kilos!) and look forward to what she’s going to achieve in the future. Read on to find out more about Kayla!
Occupation: Lifeguard and writer
Martial Arts/Sports: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
How did you get into the sport?
I got into MMA when hired Lukaz “the Lycan” Catubig as a PT to get fit (Gumtree ads, aren’t they wonderful!?” and his passion for it made me fall in love with it.
What are your immediate training goals?
To get in the cage! I’m aiming to fight on the next Path to Hex, so that means dropping weight and sharpening my skills.
What are your goals for the next five years?
To just become the best Mixed Martial Artist I can be! I want to see how far I can go, because there is no limit in what you can achieve! I also want to finish my nutrition degree so I can use my knowledge and experience to help other fighters cut weight safely and get the best out of their bodies.
Why do you love training at Absolute MMA?
Absolute MMA has become a home for me. Everybody, coaches, staff and members alike, are so wonderful. They push you hard but aren’t afraid to have a laugh. The banter here is top notch.
Can you tell us about where you’re from and any interesting stories growing up? If you’re not originally from Melbourne, how’d you end up living in Melbourne, Australia?
I’m originally from Adelaide, and when I was 11 years old, my grandma took me to Melbourne for a holiday. I told her then I was going to move here! Eventually at 26 I did to achieve my goal of being one of the best female KRUMP dancers in Australia. Still working on that one (haha).
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
People that never let life get them down but also help other people achieve their goals too. It’s easy to achieve and step on other people, but to lift others up while you are moving up too…that takes a special type of person.
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
To not care what others are thinking about you. We are all on our own journeys and whether it’s page 1 of Chapter 1….or page 256 of your 3rd book, comparing yourself or worrying about others takes the fun out of training!
“Kayla is a very friendly human being, she likes inspiring other people and sharing her Martial Arts stories. What I admire about her (especially regarding her attitude to the Martial Arts) is that when it comes to her goals she one hundred percent commits into it and does whatever is necessary to get it done.” – Luke Catubig, Coach.
“It’s always so much fun to train with Kayla. She has so much passion for martial arts and her journey inspires me and a lot of people to be the best versions of themselves. She is a positive role model that shows us with hard work you can achieve your goals.” – Rebecca Cerra, training partner.
Follow Kayla’s journey at: https://www.facebook.com/fromthecouchtothecage/