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But Sheehan instead came up with the unique idea to start Girls Who Fight — teaching MMA and self-defence to girls and women — which would lead to her finding more meaning in her life than she ever imagined.

“It was hard the first year thinking about the decision to end my career as a fighter because you think that’s all you are for so long,” Sheehan admitted in a recent interview with the Toronto Sun. “And you feel like your path is cut short before you reach your potential.”

But when you can transition effortlessly from a rear naked choke to an armbar, coming up with a new game plan for life is far less daunting.

Sheehan founded GWF early in 2018 and has been working hard to grow her vision ever since, offering one-day workshops teaching self-defence basics through MMA techniques as well as weekly classes for females who want to further their MMA training.

“Once I started looking at what else I could do with my life, it just seemed like such a natural next step for me,” Sheehan said, adding the options for girls to learn self-defence and MMA from qualified females while surrounded by other girls are limited in the city.

“The workshops are strictly for self-defence, learning how to defend against grabs, strikes and takedowns,” Sheehan said, explaining she also teaches girls to speak assertively, walk confidently and how to be aware of their surroundings.

But many young girls — some of whom may have been shy or were bullied — get a taste for MMA and want to learn more. That’s where the weekly classes come in.