| Hey everybody! I’m Sandy Pembroke, one of the instructors at Nomad Kickboxing & Boxing. The pictures at the top of the page are probably a great start to a hell of a story. The traditional before and after pictures here obviously speak more than a thousand words. And to tell you the truth, the changes that have come about in my life certainly can’t be explained in these pictures OR a 1000 words - what a ride!
Whether you are looking for a cool alternative to get into/stay in shape; want to learn how to kickbox for fun; to recreationally, or seriously compete; or just to meet some fascinating people, my story will probably interest you.
Looking to try and improve my local, beginner 1 and 1 continuous kickboxing record, and DEFINITELY to try and get in better shape - I ended up at Nomad Kickboxing & Boxing.
130lbs, 4 national medals, and silver, followed by a gold medal in world championships later - I think I shattered all my expectations.
Nomad Kickboxing & Boxing changed my life. Since starting with Nomad Kickboxing & Boxing, I have stopped drinking (alcohol), became a vegetarian, and started working out 10 times a week. At my peak? I weighed in at 325 pounds. I currently fight at 195 lbs. This represents a 130 lb variation. As most people like to say, when this fact comes up in conversation: “Wow, you lost a WHOLE person?!?”
These were some radical steps I took during the preparation phase for high-level competition. And is certainly not what I would expect the average participant to undergo. I include this bit of information just so anyone reading this can know that there is a fantastic set of individuals involved in this organization, that can take you absolutely anywhere you want to go.
Growing up with a twin brother, I always loved competition, and enjoyed sports like the average Canadian boy. But from adolescence to recent years, I had always been overweight. This combination led me to trying out and making my university football team as an offensive lineman. Since this position required, strength as well as very high weight, I reinforced and created new bad eating habits. Scotch, Rum and Cokes, Dark Beers, Pizza, Big Macs and Chicken Wings… ohhhh CHICKEN WINGS, and cheesecake… mmmmmm.. cheese cake.
When I ended up in kickboxing, I wanted to make some serious changes. I had struggled with all of these negative types of eating habits, and an unhealthy lifestyle throughout my life – essentially excessive consumption of all foods, and alcohol, and lots of periods of inactivity.
Now my personal Nomad journey took a radical and serious competitive turn. But most people come to our classes just to get in shape and meet new people, or for: a) an alternative to aerobic or taeboe/cardiokickboxing classes; b) self-defense; c) to learn how to kickbox; d) and then there are a very very few people like me that came because we wanted to compete and improve through the tutelage of a world class coach.
The People
Most definitely, the best part of this whole experience has been the people. I came to Nomad Kickboxing & Boxing, because I had heard from 2 friends who had had excellent kickboxing careers, that John McMahon (Owner, and Head Instructor, also National Team Head Coach ) was the coach in the city to learn from. With this in mind, I assumed the majority of people I would meet would fit a certain ‘tough guy’ mold. Boy was I wrong. What I met was the most dynamic, interesting group of people I had ever encountered. Scientists, soccer players, child care workers, engineers, social workers, members of various volunteer and not-for-profit organizations, amateur and professional fighters, students… well, quite frankly, the most interesting group of people I have ever | 
