My name is Laura Copeland and just under a year ago my life started to change for the better. It changed when I found Muay Thai. Two years ago, I was diagnosed with Complex-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which stemmed from a number of traumatic events, including rape and witnessing my best friend’s suicide. I spent a number of years in and out of psychiatric hospitals on numerous medications; mainly antidepressants and antipsychotics. None of these helped and I turned to alcohol and drugs to help me escape the life I no longer wanted to live. This carried on for a number of years until I underwent a medical detox in hospital. I’m fortunate to be receiving mental health treatment in an outpatient programme in a hospital for individuals with severe trauma which is slowly helping me confront my past and the events that led me on a path of self destruction. Then, I was introduced to Muay Thai. A sport I never thought I would enjoy as much as I do. I train three times per week and it’s become such an integral part of my daily life. It provides me with the discipline, routine and respect I could never provide for myself previously. Slowly I’m learning that not everybody is an enemy. Recently, I took part in my first interclub fight where I was able to stay in the ring taking knocks and punches like a champ. Previously, I’d panic a the slightest touch, I’d wet myself when experiencing a flashback. So to be able to fight in the ring was a major accomplishment for me. I have been sober for almost one year now and I know that when I find things tough and I’m not sure if I can carry on, I know I can find hope in this sport. In the Muay Thai gym, I am home.
