A well-known local advocate for LBGQTI+ young people in Tauranga, has overcome many challenges in life - including being adopted from Russia at three, attending a strict Christian school where she felt such despair as a young gay woman that she attempted suicide.

Since then, Kat Clark has fearlessly advocated for other young people in the Tauranga community.

On May 15, she is going to face one of the biggest challenges of her life - her first boxing match.

Kat is competing in Battle of the Brave - a night of corporate and professional boxing, which is raising funds for youth and amateur boxing.

Kat first took to boxing two years ago to help her mental health after severely injuring her ankle in a football game, shattering her dream of joining the police force.

She almost lost her foot - she tore three ligaments which left her foot at right angles to her leg, and at one point the doctors considered amputation.

They were able to save it but Kat was not able to walk for six months, and her mental health suffered due to the trauma of the accident.

"Boxing saved my life, it kept my mental health in check, kept me sane," says Kat.

"When I was in a cast, I would sit on a chair or something and hit the bag. It allowed me to get a sweat up without moving around. I took my frustration of not being able to walk or play soccer anymore out on the bag. From then on, I just kept going back to the boxing bag."

It wasn't until she met coach Rueben Platten at Tauranga Box, that she learned boxing wasn't just about trying to hit someone^.

^"He has taught me so much, from footwork, head movement, and how to focus on my breathing."

It's physically very challenging, but the payoff is worth it, says Kat.

"Physically, you can imagine how much stress it could have on the body, especially after sparring. I'm always sore afterwards, but I use my massage gun for recovery and take ice baths. Mentally, it's the best thing in the world.

"Endorphins run wild, stress is released and I feel on top of the world. I would encourage anyone to try boxing, even if it's just hitting a bag."

Kat will still eventually like to join the police, but for now is enjoying working at the University of Waikato campus as a student advocate and support person.

With a degree in social work, she worked as a student liaison for LBGTI+ youth at Toi Ohomai, and before that was one of the founders of Tauranga's first Rainbow youth groups.

"When I came out I felt so scared and isolated and that I didn't belong in the community, so much so I felt I wanted to die. I would never want anyone else to feel that way so I'm glad now there is much more support - but there is still work to be done."

Kat says there is a new rainbow boxing tournament happening next year in Auckland.

"A boxing tournament for LGBTQ is something I'm very interested in doing later on."

As well as her boxing, she has returned to her first love, football, as a coach.

"I am the junior coordinator at the Otumoetai Football Club. This is a new paid position which I will do after work in the week and on weekends. This allows me to stay connected to something I did since the age of five, although I can't play now after my accident."

Since January, Kat has been training hard every night with Reuben.

'He takes no shit, like if I'm tired, he just tells me to go one more, which means 100 more. He pushes me, and has taught me so much. He's always smiling when I walk into the gym, and he's one of the main reasons I love the gym so much."

She has two calendars on her wall at home, one for fitness and one for food.

"I keep track of my workouts and what I eat. I take river swims at Pori Pori every weekend, and practice breathing techniques I learnt from The Wim Hof Method.

"I meditate a lot, especially before sparring as it allows me to escape and I'm able to do what I need to in the ring without feeling bad. I don't like to punch someone in the face, and it can get emotional at times but I've found ways to deal with that emotion and that's through meditating."

Kat's partner Hannah, and her friends will be there on the night supporting her, and she is being sponsored by Stride Builders.

With just two weeks to go, she is managing her nerves.

"Meditation has allowed me to shift the nerves, I get a little nervous before I get in the ring but then once I step in, the nerves go. I'm terrified of injury, especially around my ankle, but I have good boxing boots which secure my ankle. I wear a brace everyday too so that supports me."

Now looking back on the accident, despite the trauma and how it forced her to change her direction, she is grateful for the lessons she has learned.

"My options are endless, my life is great but I absolutely take nothing for granted. I'm blessed and thankful for everyday, and everyone in my life."

It is this mental strength in handling whatever is thrown at her, in life, or in the ring, that will keep her fighting.

"I just think that if I can go through something like almost losing my foot, I can handle anything."

DETAILS

BATTLE OF THE BRAVE Corporate and Professional Boxing Match

May 15, 5PM to 11.30PM

WHERE TO GET HELP

Lifeline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 354

Depression Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 111 757

Gambling Helpline - 0800 654 655

Healthline (open 24/7) - 0800 611 116

Samaritans (open 24/7) - 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz

0800 WHATSUP children's helpline - phone 0800 9428 787 between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.

Kidsline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.