Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Van Soest.
Hi Tiffany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was a little girl (and a tomboy) in the Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers era. Naturally I wanted to be like my favorite crime fighting heroes so I asked my parents to put in me in karate. What started as something I just thought was cool and “totally rad” quickly became the center of my little world, one of the main pillars of my life, and my vehicle for self discovery, self realization, and transformation. Martial arts helped me feel confident, it helped me feel safe, it kept me focused on achieving goals, and it was an outlet. Little did I know or intend for it to lead to a career as a professional prize fighter. After winning multiple championships in karate I began to dabble in Muay Thai. Just wanting to have 1 fight just to see what it’s like turned into another one, and another one, then eventually an amateur career. From there I took a last minute opportunity to step up and make my professional debut and get paid to fight so for a struggling college student it was a no-brainer. Little did I know I was about to embark on a journey that would take me around the world and shape who I am today. Now I am still somewhat fresh off retirement from a 12 year professional career where I competed in multiple combat sports including MMA and became a 12-time world champion across 2 different disciplines (5 world titles in Muay Thai and 7 world titles in Kickboxing). Instructing and coaching have always been something I’ve done since I was a teenager where my first job was teaching karate. I believe in the idea of finding your gift and passing it on so now although I am no longer competing I still teach seminars, classes, and private lessons to anyone and everyone, from children to adults, beginner to professional. When I am not teaching I enjoy combining arts and selling paintings (abstractions and portraits) I make by covering my fists and shins with paint and hitting my canvas-wrapped punching bag. I like to call it “aggressive finger painting.”
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road. Professionally I was faced with the struggles you would expect to have as a woman in a sport and industry built by and intended for men such as the pressure to be sexualized and a discrepancy in pay. Personally I’ve dealt with the struggles of loss, heartbreak, depression, loss to addiction, imposter syndrome, bad relationships, poor choices, you name it! Life is full of struggle for everyone and I definitely have not be exempt from my fair share.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an instructor and personal trainer with a background in fitness/wellness specializing in Muay Thai and Kickboxing. I teach/train adults and children of all ability levels. Whether the goal is to learn martial arts, get in shape or lose weight, or for self defense or stress relief I can bespoke your training to meet your needs and goals. I am most known for being a 12- time world champion and considered one of the “G.O.A.T.s” and a pioneer for women’s Muay Thai and Kickboxing. While I am extremely proud of my accomplishments in the ring, I am even more proud of my ability to connect with my clients and help them realize the greatness that lies within themselves. I think my patience and ability to teach to all learning styles is something that sets me apart from others.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For anyone who is just starting out the best advice I can give is to love and respect yourself enough to just keep showing up and with good intention. As long as you do that, you will fuel your heart with what it needs and your body will get the memo. With consistency, patience, and resilience you’ll be able to look back from where you started and realize what you’re capable of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tiffanytimebomb.com
- Instagram: @TiffanyTimeBomb
