I’ve Won

I’VE WON I’VE WON I’VE WON I’VE WONI’VE WON I’VE WON

I’VE WON I’VE WON I’VE WON I’VE WON

Article by: Vanessa “Batgyrl” Sawicki Photos by: Jason Horvath

It was five years ago that I started my life over. After a 10 year marriage that had gone wrong, a few extra pounds and an empty bank account, I made the decision to start living my life for me. Most of my previous decisions were based upon what others expected of me, or what I thought I was obligated to do. Sound familiar?

When I came home I was fortunate enough to get a job with an amazing, supportive company. Frontier Wolseley has done so much to support me and my sport. My lunchroom has been converted into a training room for me, and most of my fellow employees come to my fights. I am truly honored by this. After a few months working there, I started looking into different types of martial arts, and what would appeal to me. Many different places offer an MMA style of workout where you can experience multiple styles of martial arts and get a great workout. I had found a good place close to home, and spent 4 years there. I immediately knew that I was in love with boxing, and spent every spare moment training and studying the sport. I dropped 200lbs in those first few years, gained focus and self confidence, and realized I had a lot more to offer than I realized. I will always remember one of the motivational banners at this MMA club because it inspired me:

“Hell would be if God showed me all the things I could have accomplished if only I believed in myself”.

It was in the middle of my 5th year when I met Everton McEwan. Having spent a year training with his student, Santo Chiappetta, I finally had the honor of meeting Coach Everton. Santo is to this day, one of the most amazingly gifted trainers I have worked with, and I will forever be in his debt. I realized that I needed to train in a proper boxing environment, that an MMA factory wouldn’t take me to the next level. It’s great if you want to do it for fun, but from day one I had every intention of competing. Everton invited me to come to train with him, and immediately I could see the McEwan family was where I wanted to be. McEwan’s ProStreet Gym is a place where kids, men and women train together as a family, support and work together. As a team, we work hard on conditioning and technique, but individually we each learn self confidence, focus, we create goals, sacrifice and become team players and good honorable fighters.

As an avid Batman fan I picked up the nickname Batgirl early on. I studied martial arts in my teens, was always helping others in any way I could, and tried to do the right thing in all cases. The values that Coach Everton teaches are the same core values that I live by. Men and women, young and old can

If I can inspire some kid to grow up and have the self confidence to stand up to a bully, or turn away from hanging out with bad-kids, to make good choices for their future or to be good and honorable, then I have won. If I can show another battered woman that she too can start over and be strong and independent, be beautiful and strong, and follow her dreams regardless of what anyone says, then I’ve won. Every day I try to lead by example, and hopefully my accomplishments can encourage other people. Through McEwan’s ProStreet Gym, these values are taught and encouraged, and I am truly honored to be a part of the family. I’m looking forward to the Golden Gloves as the beginning to a solid boxing career. With the continued support of my parents, my amazing boyfriend Jason Horvath, and my friends and coworkers, I know I can’t lose. BTB

Coach Everton McEwan with Vanessa

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