Mental health

Our research showed that the second most popular reason for choosing boxing within the boxing community was the positive effect it had on women's mental health. 

Many women who walk into the boxing gym are experiencing (or have experienced) depression, anxiety, eating disorders, or other mental health challenges. Numerous fighters shared that they used boxing to relieve stress and anxiety, lift their mood, or safely express anger or frustration. 

For some boxers, participating in the sport was a way to address feelings related to trauma, this included trauma involving past violence or experience of issues like poverty or racism. 

Some boxers told us that boxing helped them manage their neurodivergence, which can include conditions such as ADHD, autism, and bipolar disorder.