Shape Your Life: Trauma Informed Boxing

Georgia interviews Cathy Van Ingen from Brock University in Toronto, Canada. Cathy is a researcher looking at gender-based violence, boxing, trauma-informed physical activity, geographies of sport and physical activity, sport media, youth culture and sport for development. 

Cathy founded Shape Your Life,  a free, non-contact boxing program for female-identified people who have experienced violence. 

In this episode we discuss: 

• The history of women in boxing 
• The difference between trauma-informed boxing and regular boxing (Choice and invitation, a safe environment, taking care of food, transport and other need, no obligation to tell your story, giving women the space to experience their emotions) 
• The outcomes of shape your life
• Stories of amazing women that have participated in Shape Your Life 
• How Cathy got government funding 
• Advice for female trauma survivors