Life after domestic violence - a members story

7 years ago I found the courage to leave my 10 year mental, physical and emotional abusive relationship. So at almost 28 I found myself no longer a teenager but a woman, back at my mothers house beaten down with a broken soul and no idea of how to function as an adult.

6 years ago I moved to the Gold Coast for a fresh start.

5 years ago still traumatized from my past Arakan found me.
From my very first lesson I was hooked, it was exactly what I'd been searching for to rebuild myself mentally, spiritually and physically.

Little did I know at the time what it would actually do for my life. The amazing instructors pushed me to places sometimes (ok most of the time lol) I really didnt want to go or ever thought I could. Through much cursing, thousands of tears, sooo many frustrating moments and pushing myself to physical places my brain couldn't comprehend I could go.

The unexpected journey that Arakan has taken me on is beyond anything I ever imagined when I started, from the awesome seminars held through out the club which are absolutely amazing, to my own personal journey.

On the 29th of March I faced my hardest challenge, my first grading, my yellow belt grading.

In the months leading in I went through every emotion, pushed through barriers at the time didn't think I could get through and even visited some dark places I thought were gone.

On the day I was in the zone ready for the toughest fight of my life, after a physically and mentally exhausting hour being pushed harder than ever before and having to rely solely on myself I passed I stood on the other side with a sense of accomplishment I'd not really felt and a little disbelief that I had actually just done it.

What I've achieved and how far I've come in 5 years I'm super excited to see where the Arakan road takes me and where I'll be standing 5 years from now.

I'm being quite honest about my journey cause domestic violence isn't talked about enough and to show others that you can heal and rebuild a better life. Its a real privilege to be apart of such a positive culture and Arakan has changed my life beyond words.

My amazing instructor Pat has been there from the beginning and believed in me even at the times I didn't believe in myself for which I'll be forever grateful. So thank you to all involved in this amazing club :)

Ali Jones

MEMBER TESTIMONIALS

Register

for a Complimentary Private Lesson

* limited places available, subject to instructor availability

Martial Arts as a Lifelong Journey

Most people see martial arts as something you “do.” You join a class, you train for a few months, maybe a few years, and eventually, life gets in the way. For many, it becomes just another phase - like going to the gym for a while, picking up a sport, or trying out a hobby.

But true martial arts isn’t a phase. It’s not something you pick up and drop. It’s a path. A lifelong journey of growth, discipline, and discovery. And once you step onto that path, you realize there is no finish line.

Becoming the Strongest Version of Yourself

Every man wants to be strong. But strength isn’t just about how much weight you can lift or how big your arms are. Real strength goes far deeper. It’s physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual. It’s the ability to handle whatever life throws at you - with power, resilience, and clarity.
In your 20s, you’re at a crossroads. You’re setting the foundations for the man you’ll become. You can drift through these years, chasing comfort and distractions, or you can use them to build yourself into the strongest version of who you are meant to be.

READ MORE