Alum Nicola Barke was the first female ever to compete in Burmese bareknuckle boxing, a sport reserved for the fearless. She’s ranked number two in the world. Her fighting name is the Burmese Python.
Not only a high calibre athlete, Nicola also excels at her career in the male dominated field of banking. She’s Global Transformation Manager at HSBC, managing a team of 170 staff.
Nicola knows that women can do anything they put their mind to.
To inspire us to fight for our rights this International Women’s Day, Clare Willard from the Alumni Team spoke to Nicola about her sport, her battles and her mindset.
The interview
Clare: You studied Biomedical Science at UWE Bristol but ended up with careers in banking, Burmese Bareknuckle fighting and women’s leadership coaching.
How did you get into martial arts and boxing?
Nicola: I didn’t get into fighting to get myself out of trouble!
I was almost a little nerdy as a child. Like the geek at school that tries too hard.
I never had big dreams to become a world champion in martial arts, I just followed my passion.
Clare: I heard you used to do ballet but switched to martial arts and then Burmese boxing (Lethwei), widely recognised as the most brutal of the martial arts. That was a bold move.
What gave you the courage to take on such a dangerous and male dominated sport?
Nicola: For me it was the only sport that forced me, every time I stepped through the ring, to be the best version of myself – emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually.
With every fight I had, I’d step up another level. Not just in the ring, but outside of it, as a person as well.
There was always this little voice saying “Well, if you can’t deal with that, how are you going to deal with someone who actually wants to hurt you?”. I didn’t find any other sport that pushed me in that way.
Everyone sees the brutality of the fighting in the sport, there’s so much more that goes into it in terms of making sure the rest of your life is in check.
Clare: Today is International Women’s Day, and we’re thinking about the need for momentum, urgency and decisive action to address the systemic barriers and biases that women face.
What has Lethwei taught you in terms of mindset, that you use in your fight for gender equality in everyday life?
Nicola: Lethwei has shown me how to step out of my comfort zone. My first Lethwei fight was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done. It was a very brutal fight in a third world country with limited access to specialised healthcare support. There were pretty much no rules – no gloves, head butts, punches, kicks, knees, elbows.
It was a choice. I chose to grow myself. Once I had conquered my fear, the feeling of euphoria and accomplishment was like nothing I’ve ever felt before.
It’s taught me to manage my mindset.
Instead of feeling like the underdog, and seeing the male dominated environment as a negative, I just flipped it on its head.
I thought “I’m the only female and I’ve got an opportunity to represent lots of other women who are going to be coming through”. It motivates me to work to the absolute best of my ability.
It’s pushed me and encouraged me to be as fit as strong as the men and even see if I can overtake them in some areas. I’ve found that my strengths have come through. It’s given me a relentless nature.
In my banking work, I see females who want to progress on the ladder, but who just don’t ever feel like they were a valued voice or see a way to progress that’s authentic to them.
My sport has given me that courage and self-confidence. Now I coach women and help empower them.
Clare: Life has dealt you challenges. You were born with narcolepsy, survived a life-threatening car crash and have battled PTSD. Injuries in your line of work are commonplace, but in 2023 you found out that you have a brain tumour.
What advice do you have for any of our current female students who may be facing challenges in their lives, on how to overcome them?
Nicola:
If there was one piece of advice I could give anyone and everyone, it’s to talk to someone and share how you’re feeling.
I have to put my hands up to being that kind of person who didn’t have an appreciation for depression or being in a bad mental state.
I thought that by talking to others I was going to bring down their positivity, so I just shut myself away from the world. I thought you could just put a smile on your face and control what you feel. But in the end, I just knew that wasn’t really helping me.
Don’t guess how people are going to react. Make sure you go and speak to someone.
Clare : Lastly, you fight professionally, but what else in life would you put up a fight for?
Nicola: Equal opportunities. Whether that be actual opportunities or even just pay as a female athlete. I speak to a lot of male athletes, and they never have to negotiate or barter for a fair salary.
That’s why I’m passionate about empowering women through coaching. We need more inspiring and authentic leaders, fighting for change.
