October 2023

 

MBA Titleholder, Asia Pacific Bodybuilding Champion, CrossFit Champion, Personal Trainer

 

" You're either all in or you're not, you'll get shown up in the ring, so you have to commit to it."

 

Margot Smith is one of the MBA's most dynamic female fighters and a "massive mental health advocate". Having battled mental health issues since the age of 13, Margot says that "boxing is everything, you're either all in or you're not, you'll get shown up in the ring, so you have to commit to it." In a not unfamiliar storyline amongst masters boxers, Margot credits boxing with 'saving' her and giving her focus. "When you step in the ring, there is nothing in life to compare to it. It is one of the hardest things to do. I feel like I can take on anything, life itself, 100% it crosses over. Let’s use a female dominated sport such as Netball, for example. You can't take netball skills into everyday life (but) in the ring you learn how to be calm under so much pressure. I take that into life."

 

The Hybrid Phoenix.

 

Renowned boxing coach Fidel Tukel (FightKlub) dubbed Margot Smith The Hybrid Phoenix. 'Hybrid' because of her multi-disciplinary athletic achievements, and 'Phoenix' for her ability to rise out of the ashes of adversity. A very cool name indeed.

 

Bodybuilding to CrossFit to Boxing.

 

At 12 years old, very 'sporty' - mainly in basketball - and with a lot of rebellious energy, Margot's Mum took her to a boxing gym where she trained for a year. She had her first fight, an exhibition bout, at 15 before joining the New Zealand Army at 17. It was there that she found a love for the gym and bodybuilding. She competed in Asia Pacific competitions for two years and across six competitions was always in the top three. However, she found the diet regime strict and hard and was soon drawn away from bodybuilding and into CrossFit, which she competed in for the next 6 years and achieved at high levels within Australasia. 

 

After serving five years for her country in the Army, Margot moved to Mt Isa Queensland to start her new career working in an underground mine. In 2014, her son Xavier was born. In her seven years there she had two fights through the PCYC and won both, reigniting her journey with boxing. 

 

Fast forward to 2017 when Margot moved to the Gold Coast. A few years went by, then once again she found herself back on her boxing journey. She trained out of PCYC Gold Coast under the highly experienced coach Jay Toopes and Professional Female fighter Connie Chan. Margot fought one fight with PCYC and won, then fell pregnant with baby boy number two not long after her win. With itchy feet and five months post-baby, Margot found renowed boxing gym FiteKlub in Burleigh, and owner Fidel Tukel - an admired fixture of MBA tournaments. 

 

At the MBA Oceania Combat & Cadet Class Titles in August 2023, Margot had two bouts and came away with two wins, an outstanding result. But she also enjoyed that "everyone was there to connect, there was no ego like amateur competitions." 

 

"It's not about getting in and throwing haymakers. It's a chess game."

 

Being a self-motivated athlete, Margot Smith says she is hard on herself and advocates "be your own inspiration, at the end of the day it's up to you." She agrees that boxing is great for mental health and says "getting on the bag, letting out some energy fitness-wise is the best way to get into shape. Pad work, training, and a good diet is "very empowering”, and she wisely sums up her take on boxing with "It's not all about getting in and throwing haymakers. It's a chess game."

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With thanks to Margot Smith - the Hybrid Phoenix - for sharing her story with us. Margot also features in the MBA SuperMums article in the 2023 Courage Club Annual.