National boxer teams up with BGCC
A Calgary national boxing champion might have hung up her gloves but she hasn’t hung up her passion.
Erin Woodrow, 29, always knew that as soon as she had enough time in her schedule she wanted to teach young women and girls the art of boxing. Last year, when Erin retired from the boxing ring she started up a program to do just that.
At the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary’s Bowness Club, Erin started her new journey to share her love of boxing and all it has to offer. Once again, Erin has partnered with Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary (BGCC).
Her program started this week at the Beltline Youth Centre downtown. The Centre, which is a part of the BGCC, offers many different programs for youth in our city. The BGCC team was delighted when Erin said she wanted to run the program again.
The participants are learning the art of boxing, but also the many mental and physical benefits the sport will give them.
Erin, who is originally from St. John’s, NL, started boxing when she was 15. After two years in the ring, she made the intermediate national team. Erin took a six-year break from boxing to get her Bachelor Commerce honors degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
When she moved to Calgary in 2008, Erin climbed back into the ring. After a few fights, she knew she wanted to compete on the world stage and poured her heart and soul into making the senior national team. Her sweat and tears paid off when she won, and held, the national title which gave her the opportunity to travel the world to represent her country in international competitions.
After more than 70 fights and two national titles Erin has stepped out of the competitive ring to focus on her career – she is finishing her Msc in Sustainable Energy Development while working at Talisman Energy. She is also focusing on balancing her life and giving back to her community.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary are proud to have such a competitor and supporter like Erin in our ring.
On top of the wonderful program she is gifting our youth, Erin also agreed to answer some questions:
Q: What first interested you to get into boxing?
A: I was a HUGE tom boy as a kid and loved contact sports. Boxing was always something that intrigued me and it turns out in was a natural fit.
Q: What about the sports has kept you passionate about it all these years?
A: The competition. Setting and working toward big goals has always kept me motivated and although the workouts generally don't change too much there are always things to learn and work on.
Q: When you talk with youth, what do you tell them about why boxing is enjoyable?
A: Boxing is a great way to stay in shape, meet people and have fun but most importantly for me, it has helped build confidence both physically and mentally and kept me focused in life.
Q: What kind of characteristics do you think you have gained from your boxing career?
A: Confidence, determination, persistence and sticktuativeness.
Q: Why did you decide to do this program with Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary?
A: I love kids and feel like I have a lot to give. I've been fortunate to have had a lot of great and supportive people in my life and if I can be that for someone else then I don' t know how I couldn't share my time, experience and knowledge for others to benefit.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: “When you have come to the edge of all light and step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of the two will happen; you'll find something solid to stand on, or you'll be taught how to fly”
Q: When you were a teenager, what did you think your life would be like now?
A: I wanted to be a goalie for the Montreal Canadians by now, but I guess I can start letting go of that dream ; ) I certainly don't have any regrets and feel very fortunate to be where I am today.
Q: What is the best thing that has ever happened to you in life?
A: Life has been made up of a series of both little and big successes which continue to define and shape who I am and who I want to be. Whether it's been in sports, school or work I have always given my best and oddly enough, in return I always seem to get the best things back.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: I have a ton of life goals, too many to list - to sum it up though, I want to find and bring happiness and positivity to wherever I am and whoever I'm with and make the world a better place because I was here.