Mary-Kate overcame the dark disease of anorexia to become a titles-winning amateur boxer and a top wellness role model for young people. She wields a powerful voice for demonstrating the link between good mental health and physical activity.
Mary-Kate developed anorexia at the age of 10 as a result of childhood trauma and fell seriously ill but eventually recovered after years of treatment. It was through the discovery of combat sports that she found a positive route to channel her energy. Three months after beginning to train at St. Michael’s Boxing Club in Inchicore, she won her first Irish title.
She explains why boxing has been so life-changing for her:
“It gives me this ability to look at my body as worth more respect than just something that deserves to be beautiful or something that has to be presented in a certain way.”
She now describes herself as an amateur boxer and a wellness advocate and one of her roles is as ambassador for the Irish Life Health Schools’ Fitness Challenge which gives her a platform to talk to young people who are struggling with mental health. The Challenge highlights the importance of physical activity for better cardiovascular and mental health amongst young people which is so vital for their long-term physical and mental health.