THE BRAZILIAN WOMAN WHO WALKED INTO A MEN'S MUAY THAI GYM AND REFUSED TO LEAVE
Now She's Teaching Women In Forsyth County The Same Skills That Transformed Her Life... And Made Her Husband (A Former UFC Fighter) Respect Her As A Fighter
A Personal Letter From Duda Assuncao
Dear Friend,
I was 23 years old when I walked into my first Muay Thai gym in Brazil.
I was terrified.
The gym was full of men. Big men. Experienced fighters. Men who had been training since they were kids.
I didn't look like them. I didn't move like them. I had never thrown a punch in my life.
Every single person in that gym stared at me when I walked in.
I almost turned around and walked out. But something stopped me. Maybe it was pride. Maybe it was stubbornness. Or maybe... I was just tired of feeling weak.
So I stayed.
And that decision changed my life forever.
Here's What Nobody Tells You About Learning To Fight As A Woman:
It's not about the kicks and punches.
It's about what happens INSIDE you when you realize...
You're not as weak as you thought you were.
When I started training, I couldn't throw a proper punch to save my life. My kicks were weak. My technique was terrible. I got exhausted after 10 minutes.
But slowly... something changed.
Not just my body. My entire mindset.
I started walking differently. Talking differently. When someone cut me off in traffic, I didn't shrink. When a man tried to intimidate me, I didn't back down.
I felt powerful for the first time in my life.
That feeling? That's what I want to give every woman in Forsyth County.
Why I Only Teach Women
When Junior and I opened Ascension MMA, men immediately started signing up for classes.
But I noticed something: The women who wanted to try were SCARED. Not of getting hit. Not of the workout.
They were scared of looking stupid in front of men.
I remembered that feeling. Walking into that gym in Brazil. All those eyes on me. Judging me. Waiting for me to fail.
So I made a decision:
My cardio kickboxing classes would be women-only. No men allowed. Ever.
Not because men are bad. But because women need a space where they can be BEGINNERS without feeling judged.
A space where they can be AGGRESSIVE without feeling masculine.
A space where they can SWEAT and GRUNT and FAIL and get back up... surrounded by other women doing the same thing.
Meet Stephanie: The Homeschool Mom Who Thought She Could Never Do This
Stephanie has three kids. She was homeschooling all of them. She's busy. She's tired. She had never punched anything in her life.
Her husband joined Ascension for jiu jitsu. He kept telling her, "You should try Duda's kickboxing class."
So one day, she showed up.
She was nervous. She didn't know what to expect.
I could see it in her eyes. Because I'd been there.
So I took my time with her. I showed her how to wrap her hands. How to stand. How to throw a jab without hurting herself.
I didn't rush her. I didn't make her feel stupid. I just taught her the same way someone taught me years ago in Brazil.
Here's what happened next:
After 60 days, Stephanie lost over 10 pounds
She built lean muscle she didn't know she could build
She became one of the STRONGEST women in class
She now looks forward to class every single day
That's what martial arts did for me in Brazil.
That's what I want it to do for you.
Here's What Actually Happens In My Women's Cardio Kickboxing Class:
Let me be honest with you: This is NOT a typical cardio class.
You know those classes where the instructor just plays loud music and yells at you to "work harder"? Where you just flail around trying to keep up?
This is NOT that.
Here's what a typical class looks like:
Minutes 1-5: Warm-Up
We get your body ready. No jumping right into intensity. We prepare your muscles, your joints, your mind.
Minutes 5-35: Combo Training
I teach you a specific combination - a jab, a cross, a roundhouse kick.
Then I add to it. One punch at a time. One kick at a time.
You're not just "doing cardio." You're learning to FIGHT.
By the end of 30 minutes, you're throwing powerful combinations like a trained fighter. And you're dripping sweat without even realizing it.
Minutes 35-45: HIIT Workout
Now we add dumbbells and weight plates. Short bursts of intense work. This is where you build that lean muscle and burn fat like crazy.
Minutes 45-50: Cool Down
We stretch. We breathe. We recover. Your body needs this.
Total: One hour that feels like 20 minutes.
What Makes This Different From Every Other Cardio Class:
1) You're Learning Real Self-Defense
Every punch and kick I teach you is authentic Muay Thai. The same techniques I learned in Brazil. The same techniques that work in actual fights.
You're not just burning calories. You're learning how to protect yourself.
2) Women-Only Environment
No men watching you. No men judging you. No men making you feel self-conscious.
Just women supporting women. Learning together. Getting stronger together.
3) Proper Technique From Day One
Most cardio classes just let you flail around. I don't do that.
I teach you PROPER technique. How to punch without hurting your wrist. How to kick without hurting your knee.
You're not just working out. You're becoming a FIGHTER.
4) Real Community
This isn't a class where you show up, zone out, and leave.
The women here become FRIENDS. They text each other. They encourage each other. They celebrate each other's wins.
It feels like family. Because it IS family.
Who This Class Is For (And Who It's NOT For):
This class is PERFECT for you if:
You've never done martial arts before (most of my students haven't)
You're tired of boring cardio classes that don't challenge you
You want to feel POWERFUL, not just "thin"
You need an outlet for stress (punching bags is the best therapy)
You want to learn actual self-defense skills
You're intimidated by regular MMA gyms (I get it - I was too)
You want to be part of a community of strong women
This class is NOT for you if:
You want easy, low-intensity exercise (this WILL challenge you)
You're looking for a "ladies spa" atmosphere (we work HARD here)
You're not willing to be a beginner (everyone starts somewhere)
You're uncomfortable with sweat and hard work
Here's What Will Happen To You In 60 Days:
Based on what I've seen with dozens of women:
Physically:
You'll lose 5-10 pounds (some lose more)
You'll build lean muscle in your arms, shoulders, core, and legs
You'll have more energy throughout your day
You'll sleep better at night
You'll drop a dress size (maybe two)
Mentally:
You'll feel CONFIDENT in a way you haven't felt in years
You'll walk differently - head up, shoulders back
You'll stop apologizing for taking up space
You'll feel capable of handling whatever life throws at you
You'll LOOK FORWARD to working out (yes, really)
Emotionally:
You'll have an outlet for stress and frustration
You'll feel part of a community that supports you
You'll make genuine friendships with other strong women
You'll feel PROUD of yourself
"But Duda, I'm Scared I'll Look Stupid..."
I hear this all the time.
And I understand it. Because I felt the same way walking into that gym in Brazil.
Here's what I want you to know:
Every woman in my class was a beginner once.
Stephanie was a beginner. I was a beginner. Every single woman who now throws powerful kicks and punches started exactly where you are.
Nervous. Unsure. Worried about looking stupid.
But here's the secret: Everyone in class WANTS you to succeed.
We're not judging you. We're CHEERING for you.
When you throw your first real kick? We celebrate.
When you make it through your first full class? We high-five you.
When you come back for your second class? We're PROUD of you.
This is a judgment-free zone. Period.
"But I'm Too Out Of Shape To Start..."
This is the most common objection I hear.
And it makes me sad. Because it's the same lie I believed about myself before I started training.
Listen to me: You don't need to "get in shape" before you start. Getting in shape IS what happens when you start.
Stephanie was a busy homeschool mom of three. She wasn't in perfect shape. She was nervous.
But she showed up. And I worked with her. At HER pace.
You don't have to keep up with everyone. You just have to keep showing up.
Your only competition is yourself yesterday.
"What If I Get Hurt?"
I've been training women for years. We've never had a serious injury.
Why? Because I teach PROPER technique from day one.
I don't let you "power through" with bad form. I correct you. I show you the right way.
We provide the gloves. You just need workout clothes and wrist wraps.
And if something hurts? You stop. You rest. You modify.
Your safety is my #1 priority.
Here's How To Try This Risk-Free:
I know you're still scared. I know you're still unsure.
So here's what I'm going to do:
Your first class is completely FREE. No credit card required.
Show up. Try it. See if you like it.
We'll provide trial gloves
I'll teach you proper technique
You'll see what a class actually feels like
You'll meet the other women
You'll punch and kick a bag for the first time in your life
If you hate it? Walk away. No hard feelings. No sales pitch.
But I'm betting something different will happen.
I'm betting you'll leave sweaty, exhausted, and SMILING.
I'm betting you'll feel more alive than you have in years.
I'm betting you'll already be planning your next class before you walk out the door.
That's what happens when you discover you're stronger than you thought.
Here's What Happens After Your Free First Class:
If you love it (and I think you will), here's how it works:
$109 per month - unlimited classes Monday-Friday, 5:30-6:30 PM
$99 one-time entry fee - includes brand new 16oz boxing gloves (yours to keep forever)
That's it. No long-term contracts. No hidden fees.
You can cancel anytime. But I don't think you will.
Classes run Monday through Friday, 5:30-6:30 PM.
Perfect for after work. Perfect for busy moms. Perfect for YOU.
How To Book Your Free First Class:
Step 1: Click the button below
Step 2: Choose your date and time
Step 3: Show up in workout clothes
That's it.
We'll have trial gloves waiting for you.
I'll teach you everything you need to know.
The only requirement? Show up.
One Last Thing Before You Decide...
I want you to imagine something with me.
Imagine it's 60 days from now.
You're getting ready for class. You grab your gloves (the ones you own now because you joined).
You drive to Ascension MMA. You walk in. The other women smile and wave at you.
You wrap your hands without thinking about it. You've done it a hundred times now.
Class starts. Duda teaches a new combination. You pick it up quickly.
You start hitting the bag. Your punches are POWERFUL. Your kicks are SHARP.
You're dripping sweat. Your heart is pounding. Your muscles are burning.
And you feel ALIVE.
After class, you look in the mirror. You barely recognize yourself.
You've lost 8 pounds. Your arms have definition. Your shoulders are stronger.
But that's not what you notice most.
It's your EYES that look different.
There's a confidence there that wasn't there before.
You don't look away anymore. You don't shrink. You don't apologize for taking up space.
You look powerful. Because you ARE powerful.
You drive home. Your husband notices. Your kids notice. YOUR FRIENDS notice.
Something about you has changed.
And it started with one decision:
To show up for that first free class.
The Question Is: Will You Make That Decision Today?
I can't make you come.
I can't force you to be brave.
I can only tell you what I know from experience:
Walking into that Muay Thai gym in Brazil was the scariest thing I'd ever done. And it was the best decision of my life.
Maybe this is your moment.
Maybe you're tired of feeling weak.
Maybe you're tired of making excuses.
Maybe you're ready to see what you're actually capable of.
Your first class is free. You risk nothing.
Click the button below. Pick a date. Show up.
I'll be waiting for you.
And I promise you this: I'll take care of you the same way someone took care of me.
Let's do this together.
See you in class,
Duda Assuncao
Women's Cardio Kickboxing Instructor
Ascension MMA, Forsyth County
P.S. - Stephanie almost didn't show up to her first class. She was scared. She was busy. She made excuses.
But she came anyway. And now she tells me it's the best decision she's made for herself in years.
Don't let fear rob you of this. Book your free class today.
P.P.S. - Classes are Monday-Friday, 5:30-6:30 PM. Women-only. No men allowed. Ever. This is YOUR space. Come claim it.
