Rachael Mackenzie is urging children to get active

Thai boxing's Rachael Mackenzie is championing for every child to get active after admitting sport saved her life. The 43-year-old from Bradford struggled with an eating disorder and suicidal thoughts at an early age, before finding her inner strength through sport.

Ad Now an athlete mentor for the Youth Sport Trust, Mackenzie is enthusiastic about helping young people find their place in the world through physical exercise and mental awareness. Boxing'Let's do it!' — Clarke challenges champion Wardley after cruising to win over Wach17/06/2023 AT 09:09 «I came to sport quite late as I had a quite turbulent adolescence with some really significant mental health problems,» said Mackenzie, speaking at Kensington Primary School as part of National Schools Sports Week.

«I stumbled across Thai Boxing just by accident when I was in my first year of university and it was a lightbulb moment for me. »The release that the sport gave me just totally transformed the way that I felt about myself as I had a focus and made me stronger.

«It changed my ability to cope mentally with life every day. »It's the reason that I'm so passionate for us to find a sport for every young person to give them those transformational skills." Mackenzie was the first woman to compete in Thailand under the traditional style of Thai Boxing and under the same rules as men, paving a way for women in the sport over her 23-year career, And as a mother of 14-year-old twins, the Youth Sport Trust Athlete Mentor is passionate about making sure her own family stay involved in sport, encouraging parents and carers to get out and get active with their children.