Janine Davis, 50, is a Thai Boxing and Powerlifting world champion who had a far from easy childhood prior to her major sporting success.
“There was a lot of physical and mental abuse in my house growing up,” says Davis. Her dad left when she was 6 and her mum was mentally ill throughout her childhood. With both parents not being present when she was growing up, Janine was left to be both a mum and a dad to her younger brother.
“Sport has always been inherent in me,” she says. “The only reason I went to school was to do PE.” Davis left school when she was 15 and felt that she had lost her way due to the problems she was suffering at home.
“I moved to America in my early 20s,” she says. “I got into a street fight when I was in San Jose. The next day I joined a kick-boxing club, and the rest was history.”
“Fighting humbles you very quickly. It’s been therapy for me, being in the martial arts gym. I can walk away from training feeling really good about myself.”
“After the first fight they were talking about me being British champion,” she adds. Davis made a name for herself after beating a British champion in her very first Thai Kick Boxing fight, which eventually led to a chance at the world title in 2003.
After overcoming various injuries in her fighting career, Davis eventually had her last fight in 2006.
“My first fight back from injury I took an 8 round European title fight. I was winning every round up until the fifth round. Then she caught my eye, and it blew up. The doctor had to call it; I was happy to get out of there. I didn’t want to fight anymore.”
Davis was approached by a powerlifting coach prior to her last fight. During her rehab, she started lifting to help her recovery.
“I have always enjoyed lifting heavy weights and like to feel strong, so it seemed like the perfect fit for me and an easy transition.”
Davis went on to become an English and World Powerlifting champion, as well as winning British and European Championships in Weightlifting.
Alongside her own world sporting achievements, Davis has been a personal trainer for 22 years. She teaches Thai Boxing to both children and adults, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I understand their behaviour. I try to give back as much as I can.”
Davis has now written two books and continues to look for new journeys in which she is able to help others that were in a similar position to herself.
Janine the Machine by Janine Davis is available now.
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