NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
Month 3 of 2024 is here and so is the summer which means it is crunch time to start those fitness goals. And it is the perfect time for us to kick off our first Q&A of the year as well. Calling L.A. home by way of the Midwest Kansas City to be exact and we get to know a young lady who isn’t afraid to take a leap in the boxing ring or life in general. With experience in boxing and Muay Thai, we introduce you to Jessica Evans!
Joe Cardoso: Growing up was sports a big part of your life like most people from the Midwest?
Jessica Evans: 100%!! I am pretty sure my parents put us in every sport imaginable to see which ones really stuck with us. I competed in cross country, track, basketball, and swimming and dabbled in some others when I was younger as well. I didn’t even get into fighting until I was in college but my foundation of sports, athleticism, and competitive drive played a huge role in how quickly I picked up martial arts.
JC: How did you discover boxing and why is that sport over all the others?
JE: I had been in a really toxic relationship when I was 19 years old that was verbally, emotionally, and one time physically abusive. After the deterioration of that relationship and after I took some time to heal, I realized I wanted to learn how to defend myself and gain the upper hand since I was so hurt emotionally. I took up boxing under Melvin Wesley out of Pound for Pound and before I knew it, they told me I should really look into competing in the sport. I was determined to learn and to learn fast. I started in December 2011 and fought in the World’s Ringside tournament, in the summer of 2012. I won two days in a row and lost in the finals but a fire had been set and I had found my new passion.
JC: How did family and friends react to the choice?
JE: To be honest, friends and family were supportive. I don’t think they really knew how seriously I was involved in it all until I invited them to my boxing tournament. But you do have to realize, I had only been training for about half a year when I decided to take the fight. Some people train for years before they even compete, but my coach thought I was ready and that confidence in me was enough. I think by seeing how much I loved it and the fact that you wear protective gear, they were excited for me to take on another competitive sport and I don’t think they were surprised also. My family came to all of my fights that were in the KC area and I really felt they had my back.
JC: At the start where did you find the strength to keep pushing through?
JE: In the beginning, my motivation wasn’t a positive one. It was fueled by the need to prove that I could fight and that I would never be put in a vulnerable position by a man again. However, eventually, that turned from pain to a passion and I realized how many other women had been through similar situations. I realized I could help these women and use my story to help show them that they were strong and powerful as well. To fight for the women who couldn’t fight for themselves. That is what began to drive me through the hard sparring, exhaustion, and more. As well as a desire to continue to grow and push myself.
JC: Can you describe how it feels when you slip on the gloves?
JE: It’s a mix of the scariest but most empowering feeling I’ve ever experienced. You know it is time to showcase all of the blood, sweat, and tears you have put in (quite literally) and you know when those gloves are on, it’s time. No turning back. I have competed in a lot of sports but nothing gives you the adrenaline rush or intensity that fighting does.
JC: Muay Thai the “Art of Eight Limbs” and moving abroad what was the experience like?
JE: Moving overseas was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I gained invaluable experience by doing that in my early 20s. If anyone were to ask me if they should live abroad, I would say 100%. It was extremely uncomfortable and it was hard, but I grew and gained so much perspective that I’m not sure I would have if I didn’t do it. My mantra is “do it scared” and that is how I approach everything in life, it was super scary but it was worth it! Funnily enough, I had only been fighting for a year when I moved to Australia and wanted to keep the momentum and get involved in a gym right away.
I contacted a gym close to where I was living and asked if I could try out a workout and potentially work with the fighters. Bulldog Gym Castle Hill, the coaches are Stu and Steve McKinnon. They took me in with open arms and all of the fighters did too. I immediately felt like I was a part of something and started fighting pretty quickly. I fought 7 amateur fights in Australia and they fought with no shin guards and no headgear, so it felt like a pro fight practically. I won a couple of New South Wales state belts in my weight division, 52kg, and had an awesome fight of the night when I spinning back fist KO’ed a girl. That was definitely a highlight for me in my fighting career. That gym and the people I trained with and taught there are really what lit my passion for fighting and for martial arts and I am so extremely grateful.
JC: You are big into people finding their passion, and positive mindset. When did that start?
JE: I’ve always been a kid with big dreams, ever since I was little. I grew up in a small town in Kansas City Missouri and just knew I wanted to get out in the world and see something, and make something of myself. I have always had this big belief that you can do anything you put your mind to. Some call it idealism, I call it being a dreamer! There’s a famous speech that Les Brown gave about how your dreams are possible, even if everyone else doubts or doesn’t understand, to pursue and chase after what you want wholeheartedly, and that is what I have always done.
JC: Why such a love for teaching?
JE: I heard someone say once that the full act of appreciation comes from sharing it with others. And I couldn’t agree more. I know how much fighting and martial arts have changed my life and I know that they can do that for others as well. Why would I not want to share that with others?! It’s like having the cure for cancer and keeping it to yourself. I know that’s dramatic but the sentiment remains. Legacy is a beautiful thing, our experiences, our findings, our thoughts– sharing those and leaving those for others. That is why I love to teach.
JC: What has Fight Camp meant to you?
JE: Fight Camp has meant a new beginning for me. When I tried out for Fight Camp, I had just been through a pretty rough couple of years, between losing my brother and being let go from my production job because of the pandemic. So Fight Camp is a big beginning for me. The job that I took a leap of faith in myself and decided to get away from being behind the camera to then being in front of the camera. I love helping people along their journey and our mission at Fight Camp is to “inspire the fighter within” and it’s pretty cool that I get to do that every day.
JC: Before the end of 2024 one goal you have is_____?
JE: My goal is to be on the cover of Women’s Health magazine (a girl can dream right :)), telling my story and doing more public speaking and working with women, helping them learn how to defend themselves and discover how strong they really are!
Bonus Questions:
JC: One thing people always “think” they know about you but are always wrong?
JE: That I am actually a really nice person and quirky as well. Haha, I know that sounds funny but I think before people first meet me or when they do, they assume that I am unapproachable or mean but I’m quite the opposite. I am bubbly and quirky and really value deep conversations. I have a lot of different layers, I used to do a lot of social issue work, so I am passionate about cultural studies and I like watching Korean dramas regularly and I jam out to jazz music and musicals in my car. I think it’s important to not judge a book by its cover, to give people a chance, and to be kind- you never know what battles people are facing or the reality they are going home to.
JC: Who is Jessica Evans?
JE: Jessica Evans is just “Jess from the Midwest”. A small-town girl, with a love for the city and the world. A dreamer, a fighter, a stroke survivor. Someone unafraid to push boundaries and take risks. She is a helper and doer who looks to empower the future generations with her story and passion. The world is her oyster!
I am calling dibs on a signed copy of that Women’s Health Magazine cover, I am not doubting her getting a cover at all. Jessica’s story is inspiring and powerful just what we need in these times of mostly doom and gloom. I want to thank her for her time and for being so raw and honest. Make sure you follow her on social media as the journey continues. Where will the spotlight shine next? Until next time.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessevansfit/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessevansfit/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessevansfit
