Meet The Crew - Shermin
Instagram: @caramelprata | TikTok: @caramelprata
Shermin wears Size 10 for tops and bottoms.
Shermin wears Size 10 for tops and bottoms.
Main sport
Muay Thai, Strength & Conditioning
Previous/secondary
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Pro-wrestling, Boxing, Reformer Pilates
Muay Thai, Strength & Conditioning
Previous/secondary
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Pro-wrestling, Boxing, Reformer Pilates
Competitions
Kai Muay Thai Hardsparring Event 2022
Profile
Shermin's first introduction to Muay Thai was in 2015 and began proper training in 2020, competing in the Kai Muay Thai Hardsparring Event 2022. She has tried Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), pro-wrestling and currently also does boxing and reformer pilates.
"I initially got into Muay Thai when my creative director introduced me to it as a means to adopt a healthier lifestyle. At the time, I was overweight and unsure of how to start exercising after graduating from secondary school. I made progress in terms of weight loss, but I temporarily discontinued my training when I returned to pursue my degree due to my insecurities. However, I later rekindled my dedication to Muay Thai after the COVID-19 pandemic, and I've been consistently training for fights ever since.
What motivates me to continue practicing and improving in Muay Thai, as well as in training in general, is the profound sense of self-acceptance and empowerment this sport offers. Muay Thai allows me to be my unfiltered, raw and emotional self, a stark contrast to the expectations society often place on women in terms of behavior and appearance. Despite being a larger woman and physically strong, which can be intimidating to some, I find my inner peace in the act of kicking and punching rather than in the tranquility of yoga, unlike many other women. In fact, it's worth noting that tranquility and silence scare me.
One mental hurdle I've had to confront is the pressure to lose more weight in order to increase my chances of finding suitable opponents. Through this journey, I've learned to embrace and love myself, flaws and all, and safeguard my inner peace in the face of societal norms and critical comments. I've also become attuned to my body's needs and limits, which enables me to pace myself effectively.
Furthermore, the doubts and comments I encounter online serve as a driving force to train even harder. Reflecting on my progress by watching old training videos is always a rewarding experience and reminds me of how far I've come in my journey."
"I initially got into Muay Thai when my creative director introduced me to it as a means to adopt a healthier lifestyle. At the time, I was overweight and unsure of how to start exercising after graduating from secondary school. I made progress in terms of weight loss, but I temporarily discontinued my training when I returned to pursue my degree due to my insecurities. However, I later rekindled my dedication to Muay Thai after the COVID-19 pandemic, and I've been consistently training for fights ever since.
What motivates me to continue practicing and improving in Muay Thai, as well as in training in general, is the profound sense of self-acceptance and empowerment this sport offers. Muay Thai allows me to be my unfiltered, raw and emotional self, a stark contrast to the expectations society often place on women in terms of behavior and appearance. Despite being a larger woman and physically strong, which can be intimidating to some, I find my inner peace in the act of kicking and punching rather than in the tranquility of yoga, unlike many other women. In fact, it's worth noting that tranquility and silence scare me.
One mental hurdle I've had to confront is the pressure to lose more weight in order to increase my chances of finding suitable opponents. Through this journey, I've learned to embrace and love myself, flaws and all, and safeguard my inner peace in the face of societal norms and critical comments. I've also become attuned to my body's needs and limits, which enables me to pace myself effectively.
Furthermore, the doubts and comments I encounter online serve as a driving force to train even harder. Reflecting on my progress by watching old training videos is always a rewarding experience and reminds me of how far I've come in my journey."
