Aurelia grew up as a tomboy, playing kickball with her cousins in the backyard. Soccer, basketball, and MMA were the three sports that stuck with her the most. As a kid, Aurelia was overweight and was constantly picked on by her older cousins, who were all boys. Her weight bothered her then and still does today. To overcome her struggle, she started changing her own diet at the age of 13. Her soccer coach helped her guide the way, and she started making salads, eating more fruits and vegetables, and drinking tons of water
Aurelia was dedicated to sports, waking up at 6:30 in the morning to attend practice before school and then again after school until 6 pm. She practiced for maybe 4 or 5 hours a day on soccer, and her coaches helped her go around and introduce herself to different coaches at different colleges. She even got a scholarship to Olivet College, but she chose to go with the full ride at MSU instead.
However, as Aurelia transitioned into adulthood, she started to spiral down because of alcohol. She became a functioning alcoholic, partying on weekends and missing games. She even lost her captain’s spot because of it. But it wasn’t until she was 21 and became a first-time mom that she found MMA, which changed everything for her.
MMA was a place where Aurelia could release all her emotions and anger out on a bag. She was dedicated, putting in 40 hours a week, and it was like a full-time job for her. She was working out an hour of boxing, an hour of conditioning, and an hour of wrestling. Aurelia was on her way to going pro, with a 6-1 record as an amateur, winning most of her fights by rear-naked chokes and arm bars. But right before her pro debut, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
However, Aurelia did not let that diagnosis stop her. Instead, she found a gym space to teach others MMA and what she knew. She called it “The Release,” as that’s what MMA did for her – it allowed her to release all her anger, anxiety, and hatred she had for her childhood. Aurelia found that sports gave her the self-discipline she needed a long time ago, and it gave her the drive to be successful in everything she decided to do.
Aurelia’s story is an inspiring one. She overcame childhood struggles, spiraled down into alcoholism, and then found a way out through sports. Aurelia’s dedication, hard work, and discipline paid off as she was on her way to becoming a pro fighter. But when life threw her a curveball with her diabetes diagnosis, she didn’t give up. Instead, she found a way to give back to others through “The Release.” Aurelia’s story shows that no matter how hard life gets, there’s always a way out, and sports can be a powerful tool to overcome life’s challenges.
Interview Originally posted: April 2021
