From the Classroom to Fight Club: A Journey of Purpose

Shaped By Teaching

For 25 years, I had the privilege of being a teacher, with most of those years spent in high school classrooms. Teaching was always more than just a career for me—it was a calling. During my time in the classroom, I witnessed firsthand the joys, challenges, and incredible resilience of young people. But I also saw the shift in teens over the years. Their mental health burdens grew heavier, their struggles clearer, and their pain more heartbreaking. Tragically, I also lost far too many students to suicide—losses that left lasting scars and reinforced for me just how critical it is to support our youth. Those experiences stirred in me a deep desire to make a difference beyond the classroom.

A Personal Connection to Fight Club

My introduction to Fight Club came through one of the most personal and heartbreaking moments of my family’s life—the loss of my son’s best friend, Ryan, to suicide. In the midst of unimaginable grief, his mom showed remarkable strength by reaching out to Fight Club to start a group for Ryan’s friends and his younger brother. She wanted to make sure they had the support and space they needed to navigate their pain together. It was through her that I was introduced to Ryan Bevins, the president and founder of Fight Club. I worked closely with him on her behalf to launch this boys’ group, and during that time I began to see firsthand the heart and mission of Fight Club. The more I learned, the more I realized how powerful this work was—and how much it was exactly what these boys, my students, and really all teens, needed.

When the Pieces Came Together

When I was given the opportunity to become the Executive Director of Fight Club, I knew in my heart this was exactly what I was supposed to be doing. Just a few weeks earlier, I had even told my husband that I could see Fight Club was growing, and I wondered if there might be a role I could fill within the organization. Looking back, it feels as though everything in my journey—as a mom, through my years in the classroom, the heartbreak and my passion for helping teens—had been leading me to this moment. I feel incredibly blessed by this opportunity and, at the same time, deeply humbled to be part of something much bigger. I see it as a chance to carry on Ryan’s story and the legacy his life continues to inspire. For me, this is more than a career shift—it’s truly meant to be.

Carrying This Mission Forward

As I step into this new role with Fight Club, I am confident I made the right choice in transitioning out of the classroom. Each day, I hear personal stories from boys and parents about the profound impact Fight Club has had on their lives, and those stories affirm why this work matters so deeply. I am excited to be part of this mission and to help Fight Club grow—starting here in Kansas City and expanding to reach teens across the country.

Fight Club is a space where young adults can openly talk about the issues they’re facing, without judgment or pressure. Have questions or want to learn more about Fight Club? We’re here to help. Whether you’re looking to join, a parent seeking more information, or someone interested in supporting our mission, don’t hesitate to reach out.‍