Fieldwork Manager Vicky Garlick manages the ‘Fieldwork Hub’ in our Social Sciences (SSH) Faculty Office, supporting departments who take students on fieldwork as part of their studies.

As part of being a Fieldwork Manager, Vicky supports colleagues with arranging fieldwork opportunities by assisting with the health declaration process, as well as the logistics of the trips – but outside of work, Vicky has another interesting skill… kickboxing.

Kickboxing is a combat sport that combines techniques from boxing and various forms of kicking. It's a type of mixed martial arts, which can help to improve your physical fitness, coordination and strength. We spoke to Vicky, who practices several times a week and currently holds an orange belt, about getting into the sport…

Vicky Garlick

How did you first get into kickboxing?

I started kickboxing back in 2019 after a bad relationship ended. A friend had been doing it for years and suggested it as a way to help cope with the mixture of emotions I was feeling at the time.

I went to my first class and found it thoroughly enjoyable, so I kept going. Mixed Martial Arts was always something I’d been interested in trying but my anxiety and lack of confidence kept me away. Now that I’ve been doing it for a few years, I can’t imagine my life without it. I’m so glad I was given the nudge I needed to give it a go!

Why is kickboxing important to you?

Kickboxing is fantastic for several reasons, not only the fitness aspect, but it’s also helped to build my confidence, made me feel safer, because it’s also a form of self-defence, and I’ve found it’s really improved my mental health. When I’m at the gym, I tend to forget everything else that’s been going on around me, and just focus on the move combinations. It’s also fantastic for getting out stress and frustrations if you’ve had a particularly bad day!

I’ve made some really great friends at Evolution Martial Arts Academy my current gym, and we’re all very supportive of one another and our achievements.

We’re always helping one another to improve our form and technique and we celebrate each other's achievements as if they were our own. Every time one of us receives their next belt, there are claps and cheers all round.

If kickboxing is something you’ve been thinking of trying, I’d strongly recommend it.

Find out more

• Read more about Vicky’s work over on our website
• If you’d like to share your interesting or unusual hobby, get in touch with us at internal.communications@durham.ac.uk