Page 158 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2019

SPORTS & OUTDOORS positive turn
Monica Medina’s journey to getting t.
story by A.J. Giardina photos courtesy of Monica Medina
Six years ago, Monica Medina had no idea that a trip to a movie theatre would change her life in a positive way. While driving past Alan Belcher MMA Club in D’Iberville, the cage inside the window caught the eye of her eight-year-old son. After the movie, they checked out the cage and the next thing Monica knew, her son signed up for kids fitness classes at the gym.
At five-foot-four and 198 pounds, Medina was not in the best of shape and decided it was time to do something about her condition. Monica started taking adult fitness classes at the MMA Club and got serious.
She said, “I decided that I wasn’t going to be that fat person any longer and I watched what I ate.” The mother of three dropped 50 pounds and began training for her first amateur Mixed Martial Arts fight. She got hooked, shaved off her long hair and posted a 10-5
record. “Once you step inside the cage, there’s no bigger adrenaline rush.”
Medina excelled and became the kick boxing instructor and manager at Alan Belcher MMA Club in D’Iberville and taught both men and women. Did the guys respect her? “I’m mean, so they had to listen,” stated Monica.
Since then, her life has taken another positive turn. “I was presented with a new opportunity and will open my own fitness club in Ocean Springs called PhenoMaFit. I want to spread my fitness, boxing and mixed arts knowledge throughout Jackson County.”
She’s eternally grateful for the support of Alan Belcher. “He had a huge impact on
my career,” said Monica. “He’s been my friend, coach and mentor. Leaving here has
been emotional and I’ve learned so much from him. That’s why I’m able to go off and do my own thing.”
Opponents beware...Medina is set to compete in Combat Jiu-Jitsu.
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