How I Got Here: Professional Muay Thai fighter Gabrielle de Ramos
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Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success. This week we meet professional Muay Thai fighter, coach, and content creator Gabrielle de Ramos.
With over 230 thousand followers on Instagram and an international reputation for her Muay Thai, we think Gabrielle is one Canberran you want to know about.
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Gabrielle de Ramos, a professional Muay Thai fighter, coach, and content creator. I train, compete, and share my journey with my audience, whether it’s through my fights, social media, or my coaching programs. My goal is to inspire people, whether they’re stepping into the ring for the first time or just looking to push their limits in life.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid – have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
Not exactly. I’ve always been athletic and competitive, but I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a fighter. Sports, especially combat sports, was something I was never pushed to do by my family, the dream they had for us was always to finish uni and get a secure job. It wasn’t until I found Muay Thai that everything clicked. I became obsessed with training, I felt like I’d found something I was meant to do. It challenged me in ways nothing else ever had, and I became obsessed with improving, pushing past my limits, and seeing what I was capable of.
Tell us about when you were first starting out. What set a fire in your belly to get here, and how did you do it?
When I first started, I wasn’t thinking about competing professionally – I just wanted to get better and be the best I could be at the sport, which is something I still try to do today. But the more I trained, the more I realized how much I loved it, and that love turned into a hunger to test myself in the ring. My first few fights were life-changing. The adrenaline, the discipline, the mental toughness – it was addictive. I worked my way up by staying consistent, training relentlessly, and surrounding myself with people who pushed me to be better. There were no shortcuts, just hard work, sacrifice, and a lot of lessons learned.
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Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
There have been plenty of times when I’ve questioned if it’s all worth it, especially after tough losses, injuries, or those days when my body and mind felt completely drained. But I always remind myself why I started. I don’t just fight because I want to win; I fight because I love the process. I tell myself, “This is what you signed up for. You don’t quit now.”
What was your biggest break?
I think my biggest break has come from building my brand beyond just fighting. Competing is one thing, but being able to share my journey through social media, coaching, and content creation has opened up so many opportunities. It’s allowed me to connect with a bigger audience, work with major brands, inspire other fighters and inspiring athletes, and create something that lasts beyond just my fight career.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Don’t wait until you feel ready.” If you wait for the perfect moment, whether it’s to fight or start a new sport or take a risk, you’ll never do it. You just have to start, and you’ll figure it out along the way.
What is it about your industry that you love, and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I love that fighting is real. It strips you down to who you are at your core – there’s no faking it in the ring. The discipline, the respect, and the mental toughness it builds are unmatched.
What makes me want to pull my hair out? Probably the politics in the fight world. Fighters work insanely hard, but not everyone gets the opportunities they deserve. And of course, the weight cuts…I could live without those but it’s unfortunately a pretty necessary part of the sport.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know’, what media do you consume?
I stay updated on the fight world by following fighters, promotions, and coaches on Instagram and YouTube. I also watch a lot of fights – past and present – to study different styles.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still fighting at the highest level, but also growing my brand even further – whether that’s through online coaching, my own training programs, or maybe even opening up a gym with my fiancé one day, who is also an incredible professional fighter and together help build the next generation of fighters. I want to keep inspiring people, both in and out of the ring, and build something that lasts beyond my fight career.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
I don’t think everyone should be a fighter, but I do think everyone should chase something that pushes them out of their comfort zone. My journey is proof that if you commit to something fully – whether it’s Muay Thai, fitness, or any passion – you can carve your own path and make it work for you.
What advice would you give your past self?
Don’t be afraid to take up space. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room but don’t shrink yourself either. Believe that you belong, trust in your work, and keep showing up. Everything else will fall into place.
Gabrielle coaches and trains at Canberra’s Muay U Gym in Fyshwick.
