Empower Teens. Transform Lives.
Build a Business with Purpose.
Join a growing movement of CounterPunch facilitators using the power of boxing and performance psychology to create lasting change in their communities.
CounterPunch™ Facilitator Certification
For Combat Gym Owners
You love combat sport.
Ever since you first discovered it – whether through your first combat lesson or watching martial arts films – you've had a curiosity and interest spark within you.
And when you finally got the chance to learn and put it to practice – that's when your life changed.
You started to feel a sense of power and self-belief develop within yourself.
You didn't know how it worked. You just knew that you felt good.
And afterwards, you felt an improved sense of control over your life.
Inspired by this discovery, you sought to delve deeper. You studied it, honed it, perfected it.
And along the way, you discovered a love for helping others do the same.
That's when you opened your first combat gym.
You didn’t open your gym to be stuck behind a desk...
Most combat gym owners don’t open their doors because they dream of running a business—they do it because they’re passionate about combat sports and helping others.
But turning that passion into a thriving gym comes with unexpected challenges:
- You’re stretched thin, juggling roles as a coach, marketer, administrator, and manager—all at once.
- You feel disconnected from what originally inspired you: empowering others through combat sports.
- Attracting new clients, especially teens, feels like an uphill battle, as parents often have misconceptions about safety or the benefits of combat training.
- Standing out in a crowded market is tough, with gyms offering similar programs and competing on price or gimmicks.
- Approaching schools and organizations is hard without a structured, credible program that resonates with educators and parents.
The result? Burnout, frustration, and the sense that you’re 'stuck' in a business role you didn’t choose—managing spreadsheets, marketing plans, and an ever-growing pile of admin INSTEAD of focusing on what truly lights you up – empowering others and creating real change.
What if you could build a business that feeds your passion?
You didn’t open your gym to get bogged down in paperwork, endless marketing tasks, or the pressure of standing out in a crowded market. You did it because you’re passionate about combat sports and making a difference in people’s lives.
But what if you could grow your gym in a way that brings back that passion while tackling these challenges head-on?
Imagine this:
- Simplifying your workload, letting you focus on what you love—coaching and changing lives.
- Helping teens thrive with a structured, evidence-based program that builds resilience, confidence, and life skills.
- Maximizing your gym’s off-peak hours with a program that brings in new clients without disrupting your current schedule.
- Tapping into a new market of beginners and teens by offering a safe, approachable entry point into combat sports.
- Collaborating with schools and organizations, positioning yourself as a leader in teen mental health and development while opening doors to new opportunities.
- Boosting your revenue with at least an additional $45,000 per year by dedicating just 5 hours per week to running workshops.
- Focusing on what matters most—empowering teenagers to build resilience, confidence, and emotional strength, while creating a ripple effect of positive change in their families and communities.
That's where the CounterPunch™ Facilitator Program and License comes in.
What is CounterPunch™?
In one sentence - CounterPunch is an evidence-based program that helps teens avoid derailing their future by combining the physical intensity of boxing with the emotional growth of performance psychology, bridging the gap between the fitness focus of traditional combat gyms and the disconnected, reactive approach of traditional talk therapy to give teens the tools they need to thrive emotionally, mentally, and socially.
We call this the Performance Jigsaw™:
Traditional Combat Gyms
• Focuses primarily on physical skills and fitness.
• Lacks a structured system for teaching emotional regulation.
• Struggles to gain credibility with schools, parents, and organizations.
• Relies heavily on the instructor’s personal approach, which can vary widely.
• Focused on fitness and competition, often overlooking personal development.
Traditional Talk Therapy
• Focuses primarily on addressing emotional and mental issues.
• Uses talk-based methods that teens often find disengaging.
• Can feel stigmatizing to teens, making them resistant to participating.
• Reactive, addressing issues only after they’ve escalated.
• Doesn’t resonate with teens who feel disconnected from formal therapy settings.
CounterPunch™ Facilitators
• Combines physical fitness with emotional and mental growth.
• Engages teens with hands-on, activity-based learning.
• Builds credibility with parents, schools, and organizations through an evidence-based program.
• Preventative, equipping teens with tools to handle challenges before they escalate.
• Helps teens build resilience, confidence, and practical life skills.
How does CounterPunch™ work?
CounterPunch™ is an early intervention program designed to address the challenges teens face before they escalate. By combining the physical intensity of boxing with the emotional growth of performance psychology, CounterPunch bridges the gap left by traditional approaches. Below, you’ll see how CounterPunch offers a transformative pathway compared to the struggles of traditional methods:
The System is 'Broken' for Teenagers
Teenagers today face overwhelming emotional and social challenges as they navigate their transition into adulthood.
Unfortunately, the system designed to support them often falls short – and without the right support, they risk falling into unhealthy coping mechanisms, missed opportunities to build life skills, and mental health concerns that can follow them into adulthood.
Schools don't teach them how to address these challenges, and traditional therapy often fails to reach teens:
- It’s Reactive, Not Preventative
Most teens only see a psychologist or counselor after issues have escalated, leaving many problems unaddressed for years. - The Stigma of “Needing Help”
For teens, seeking therapy can feel embarrassing or isolating, reinforcing their struggles rather than solving them. - It Doesn’t Resonate with Teens
Face-to-face talk therapy doesn’t connect with young people. It often feels awkward, boring, or ineffective, leading to resistance or disengagement.
The CounterPunch Solution
CounterPunch was created to fill this gap and provide an evidence-based alternative that teens and their families love.
What Makes CounterPunch Different?
- A Wholistic Approach: CounterPunch combines the physical benefits of boxing with performance psychology tools to address the mind-body connection.
- Teens don’t just build physical strength—they learn practical skills to regulate emotions, build confidence, and set goals.
- Prevention Over Cure: By equipping teens with emotional resilience and communication skills, CounterPunch helps address issues before they escalate.
- Engaging and Relatable: Teens participate in workshops that are hands-on, fun, and empowering—no awkward talk therapy, just real-life tools delivered through activity-based learning.
Why CounterPunch™ Works
In my years of working with young people, I’ve found that teenagers are driven by three key needs:
- Empowerment – The feeling of strength and control over their lives.
- Significance – The belief that they matter and can make an impact.
- Competence – The ability to succeed and meet challenges.
- Connection – The deep need to feel understood, valued, and supported by those around them, including peers, family, and mentors.
CounterPunch helps teens meet these needs through structured, step-by-step workshops that blend boxing with practical tools to address emotional challenges and life skills.
Why Combat Gym Owners Are the Perfect Facilitators
Teens are most likely to feel empowered when they build strength on a physical level—and combat gyms offer the perfect environment to foster this transformation.
As a CounterPunch Facilitator, you won’t just teach boxing—you’ll:
- Equip teens with life-changing skills that go beyond the gym.
- Build credibility with parents, schools, and organizations through a proven, evidence-based program.
- Attract new clients who are looking for more than just fitness—they want holistic growth for their teens.
This isn’t just about boxing. It’s about changing lives while building a business with purpose.
“Mercedas and her program changed my son’s life completely. CounterPunch has increased his self-esteem hugely, helped him overcome anxiety and fear, now exhibiting tolerance and empathy. He has ceased all medications and counselling, obtained his driver’s license and become one of the programs young leaders."
Keith, Parent
I learnt a lot about myself in the months I was there, Merc you taught me a lot about who I could be. When I started I wasn’t trying to achieve anything but now I am. I believed in the program from the start and will use my voice to show what this program did for me”
Matt (Client, 16 years)
Is CounterPunch™ Facilitating right for you?
Who CounterPunch™ Facilitating is for
You’re a gym owner or coach passionate about helping teens grow emotionally, mentally, and physically.
You want to create a consistent and scalable revenue stream that aligns with your business values (i.e. so you can have a bigger positive impact on your community)
You’re looking for a proven program system that sets your gym apart by combining boxing and peformance psychology to create real results.
You want to build a business that’s about more than just fitness—it’s about impact.
You’re motivated to build strong community connections by addressing the teen mental health crisis.
You’re open to learning and applying a step-by-step system designed for success.
You are committed to personal growth and open to learning new tools and techniques to deliver an evidence-based program.
You’re committed to building a sustainable, long-term business that creates lasting impact.
Who CounterPunch™ Facilitating is NOT for
You’re uninterested in working with teens or helping them develop emotionally, mentally, and physically.
You’re primarily motivated by money without a genuine desire to make a positive impact on your community.
You prefer sticking to traditional combat training without adding a holistic, mind-body approach.
You’re only interested in fitness and don’t see the value in addressing mental and emotional growth.
You don’t prioritize building connections with your community or addressing the unique challenges teens face today.
You’re resistant to learning new methods or following a structured, proven curriculum.
You’re not interested in personal development or adopting new tools and techniques to improve your business.
You’re looking for a quick fix or short-term business idea.
What teenagers say about CounterPunch™
Zac Nash
“The CounterPunch program really helped me to learn how to deal with my emotions internally, and through that, it gave me a better understanding of how my emotions actually work, which led to a massive improvement on how I was feeling in just my day to day life.
And as I progressed through the CounterPunch program, I had the opportunity to work with some other kids dealing with their own problems.
And from the time I started assisting in the group sessions to when we finished, I saw a massive improvement in things like confidence, communication skills, mental resilience, resistance to negative peer pressure.
Overall, I think the CounterPunch program has helped so many people and I don't know where I'd be today without it."
Ben Reissenweber
“The CounterPunch program to me was a great way to learn a bit more about myself and gain some new skills – which have already been really handy.
One thing I particularly got out of it is improved sense of self-confidence and self-esteem, and even self-awareness. And moving forward in life I'm confident that these skills are really handy.
It feels great having those tools available. I'd highly recommend it to anyone. It's a really valuable experience."
Why combat gym owners get CounterPunch™ certified
Becoming a CounterPunch Facilitator isn’t just about adding another service to your gym—it’s about transforming your business, your community, and the lives of the teens you work with...
1. A Proven, Structured Curriculum
While boxing naturally helps teens develop discipline, emotional regulation, and mental resilience, these outcomes aren’t always guaranteed. CounterPunch takes these benefits to the next level with a structured, evidence-based curriculum that ensures every teen gains the tools they need to thrive emotionally and mentally. By following a proven system, you can fast-track teens toward becoming more balanced, level-headed, and confident.
2. Build Credibility and Trust
As a combat gym owner, you might face challenges when approaching schools, organizations, or parents who don’t fully understand the value of what you offer. CounterPunch gives you the tools and certification to overcome these barriers, positioning you as a trusted leader in youth development and mental resilience.
3. Scalable and Sustainable Growth
Combat gyms often face scheduling and resource limitations. With CounterPunch, you can run workshops during off-peak hours to maximize your facility’s potential without hiring additional staff or overburdening your schedule. This opens up a new revenue stream that’s both sustainable and flexible, with significant growth potential.
4. Make a Lasting Impact
CounterPunch is about more than just business—it’s about changing lives. As a facilitator, you’ll help teens build resilience, confidence, and life skills that will positively impact their families, their communities, and their futures. Few programs offer this level of purpose and fulfillment while aligning with your passion for combat sports.
5. Recruit New Clients Through a Safe, Accessible Program
Many parents are hesitant to enroll their teens in traditional combat sports because they worry about injuries or aggression. CounterPunch reframes boxing as a safe and empowering tool for personal development, offering parents the confidence they need to trust your gym. By introducing teens to boxing in a non-intimidating, beginner-friendly environment, CounterPunch also creates a natural pathway for teens to transition into regular gym memberships after completing the program.
6. Make Your Passion Your Purpose
If you’re driven by a desire to make a difference, CounterPunch helps you turn that passion into a meaningful mission. As a facilitator, you’ll see the direct impact of your work on teens’ lives, making your career more fulfilling and purposeful.
What our CounterPunch™ facilitators have to say...
Aine Conlon – Kickboxing Coach
“One thing I got from CounterPunch was that I was able to relate more to the children in my class and more importantly to my children at home."
Damien Barrett – CounterPunch™ Facilitator
(Para Hills CounterPunch™)
"We put through our first Counterpunch program late last year and have found that it's been very, very successful both for the business and for the individuals. Some of the success stories that we had come from it is we had a young girl who couldn't take her eyes off the ground is now in full time work.
We had one go from C's and D's to A's and B's at school. All the parents have given us very very positive results and as a result our next session which is due to start shortly is all booked out.
From a business perspective we've increased our membership... we've been able to raise another source of income into the gym, which helps us pay the bills and keep the gym open."