Paula Gardner, 42, from Norwich faced her fears in a white-collar boxing match, raising more than £400 for charity in the process.
Having battled with low confidence and mental health challenges in recent years, she credited the experience with helping her rebuild self-belief.
Ms Gardner said: “It almost seems laughable now, to look back and think that I had been suffering such debilitating low confidence and poor mental health – but then I would say yes to the huge challenge of a white-collar match.”
A team leader at Ormiston Families based at the HMP Wayland Visitor Centre, she said the focus and accountability of training gave her a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth.
She said: “I knew I needed something to focus on, to give me a goal and to encourage me to keep showing up at the gym, getting stronger and ignoring all my demons about self-doubt and not being good enough.”
Paula Gardner, 42, had been plagued by low confidence and periods of poor mental health throughout recent years (Image: Supplied)
She trained for eight weeks at Assassins Gym in Norwich through the Ultra White Collar Boxing programme, using the event to raise funds for the charity.
Her match, held earlier this month, ended in a draw but raised more than £400 for Ormiston Families.
Bruce Leeke, CEO of Ormiston Families, praised Ms Gardner’s bravery and commitment.
Mr Leeke said: “Paula deserves huge recognition for having seen through this incredible personal challenge.
“She is so passionate about the work we do as a charity for families and young people, so we’re enormously grateful that she wanted to make us the beneficiary of the event itself.
“We’re glad to have such a determined and inspirational person among our team.”
Ms Gardner now plans to take part in another boxing event later this year.