Nicola Barke, who fights out of Steel City gym in Sheffield said that she has always felt like ‘a woman in a man’s world’ and wants to help women become ‘authentic, natural leaders’.
She has fought for Frank Warren and Queensbury promotions but has been unable to get any bouts in recently after a brain scan revealed her benign tumour had grown.
‘’Women want to step into leadership roles but feel they don’t have a voice or don’t feel comfortable raising their voice and feel like they can’t be heard.
‘’After my benign tumour grew I focused on developing this program, helping other women step into leadership roles, helping them understand their values, and giving them tools and techniques to feel more empowered and confident to become better leaders for themselves,’’ Barke said.
The program which runs out of Wybourne, Sheffield consists of keynote talks, practical activities and future action plans tailored for women aspiring for leadership roles or wanting to develop in their current positions.
‘’For almost 12 years I’ve been in martial arts and very much a female amongst a bunch of males. Being able to find my own voice and presence using my real life experience in the corporate world as a global project manager overseeing over 170 people in once again in more of a mans world has been a great help‘’.
The information in the workshops is packed into six modules ranging from ‘shed the unauthentic’ to ‘empower your voice’ and ‘taking charge’ with a promise of feeling more aligned in your decision making, clarity and communication after attending.
Barke hasn’t fought since June 2024 but does still hold an unbeaten record of 5-0 and is hoping to get back in the ring before the end of the year.
‘’We’re working with the British Board of Control to try and get back in the ring, I should be getting signed off within the next couple of weeks and fingers crossed, win my first title this year’’ she added.
‘’It makes me happy to see women in leadership roles because they have truly deserved those roles, women can be really effective leaders, they don’t have to follow the same blueprint as men.’’