World IMMAF Silver Medalist winner gets second chance to work in the Sport industry after injury
Kaycee Blake is a World IMMAF Silver Medalist winner in Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu (BJJ) and a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) coach. She decided to come and study Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) after being badly injured during the IMMAF World Championships in 2019.
The injury resulted in a Tibial Plateau Fracture, and as a result, Kaycee had to stop competing and taking part in MMA and BJJ for a year. The injury made her think about what would she do if she was unable to participate in sport again.
She said:
“I thought having a degree could help open doors that wouldn’t necessarily be available to me, and also applying it to my own sport as I was at the very beginning of my coaching career. I thought it was a good way also to be able to stay connected within the sport and the sector itself, even if the time came where I wouldn’t be able to compete or train anymore, I could pass my knowledge on to the next generation of athletes.
“I also had at the time a very busy 1-year-old and as a single parent, I thought if I was injured even worse how would I look after her.”
Kaycee enjoyed every aspect of the course from the practical element to the theory, and she loved watching how she was able to grow her knowledge and confidence.
“It has consistently pushed me out of my comfort zones both physically, mentally and emotionally but also taught to me to believe and trust in myself and knowledge. As somebody who suffers from anxiety, it is super challenging to do this as I constantly doubt myself, however, the course has shown me that I should 100% trust myself and that I am still slowly learning to back myself more.”
She also felt that the course was well-structured and supported by her lecturers.
“The lectures on my course were amazing, especially Geraint and Dave. They supported me massively through the course at every step and had way more belief in me than I did. I would constantly be emailing them to make sure I was on the right track with assignments or just for reassurance when I would start panicking and they would also reply and give me the support I needed. So a massive thank you to them as I feel if I didn’t have their support like I did, I wouldn’t have achieved everything I have.”
Lecturer Geraint Forster said:
“It has been an absolute pleasure to see Kaycee grow and develop over the last three years. She originally enrolled onto our one-year CertHE in Personal Training and Sports Massage as she didn’t think she was the ‘University type’ or had the academic ability to do a degree. The fact that she has now graduated with a first-class honours degree and is planning to do a Masters degree is a testament to her commitment and dedication.
“As staff on the degree all we ask is for students to have the passion and commitment to want to learn – if they demonstrate that, we will do everything we can to help them fulfil their potential.”
As Kaycee looks forward to the future, she’s looking forward to continuing her studies in order to elevate her coaching ability. She’s also aiming to try and start up her own business developing massage, PT and 1-2-1 or small group striking sessions.
She would encourage others to follow in her footsteps and to enrol on the course.
“My advice would be to make sure you are 100% before applying and if you are and have a sport of recreational exercise you enjoy, try to understand how you could implement your learning and new knowledge into your sport as well as other sports. Have a clear view of where you want this course to take you but have a backup plan. Most importantly, do it and enjoy the journey.”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476