Welcome to the official website of Gail Grandchamp
Write; don't fight. Stop Violence
Fight with your heart and mind.
No more violence
Gail was Keynote speaker on August 27, 2015 at the 5th annual Mayor's Citywide Violence Prevention Task Force Community Leadership Luncheon in Springfield, MA.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/08/professional_boxer_gail_grandc.html
SPECIALS & HOLIDAY DISCOUNTS
Train with the Champ
Grandchamp's Fitness and Boxing Personal Training Studio
Located at 141 State Street, North Adams, Massachusetts
For information, or to schedule personal training at the studio or your own home Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., call
(413) 664-0480; (413) 652-2919; or e-mail: [email protected]m
Press: call (413) 652-2919.
Grandchamp's Fitness and Boxing Personal Training Studio
Located at 141 State Street, North Adams, Massachusetts
For information, or to schedule personal training at the studio or your own home Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., call
(413) 664-0480; (413) 652-2919; or e-mail: [email protected]m
Press: call (413) 652-2919.
Your Health Is Your Greatest Wealth
The 4 F's: Faith, Family,
Friends, Fitness
Grandchamp personally draws upon each category proving it's never too late to get on a healthy spiritual, emotional and physical path in life.
A black belt in karate and former Pro-boxer earning a 12-5 record, Grandchamp also trains students in mixed martial arts and boxing; self defense for all ages; personal fitness training; and is a motivational speaker. As a matter of fact, Grandchamp is often called upon by regional educators to talk with students about making healthy and safe choices, bullying prevention, raising self esteem; and reaching their own goals.
Grandchamp promotes healthy living and denounces drug use.
At one point, Grandchamp had 50 youths off the street, taking on responsibilities at her fitness center.
Grandchamp is also the author of a self-published book with the same title of her upcoming film, and has her own product line; all of which can be purchased on e-bay. Products purchased go toward her personal foundation to assist others in need.
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Grandchamp's Fitness and Boxing Personal Training Studio
141 State Street
North Adams, Massachusetts
Boxing is considered as one of the most physically rigorous sports in the world, and boxers are among the most well-conditioned athletes. At Grandchamp's Fitness and Boxing, emphasis is placed on core strengthening as well as upper and lower-body muscular strength.Training encompasses form, agility, stamina, hand-eye
coordination,power and mental fortitude.
Grandchamp's unique program is individualized to meet your desire or need. Whether it's just for fitness or a commitment to enter the the ring, Grandchamp offer's private instruction that consists of a combined workout of cycling and weight pressing; boxing techniques, including drills, bag work and sparring; martial arts; and overall self-defence strategies.
The benefits of Grandchamp's Fitness and Boxing goes well beyond a toned body. Training is geared to improve your self-confidence, focus and motivation. Grandchamp's goal is for you to leave each class feeling empowered,
confidant, peaceful; to project that into all aspects of your life.
Call today to schedule training: (413) 664-0480.
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The hero of women's boxing
Gail Grandchamp (yes, that is her birth given surname) is a former amateur and Pro boxer turned trainer, motivational speaker and local radio personality with a host of achievements and a major project in the fire: “A Fighter with Heart Pursues an Olympic Dream.” Co-written with Producer Scott Morgan, the film is based on Grandchamp's true life story. Portraying Grandchamp, the main character is a champion who fights hard to change her own path and helps others in eliminating gender discrimination in competitive sports, while instilling in self and others health, fitness and self-esteem. ~~~ Grandchamp's greatest professional accomplishment to date has caused a ripple affect, positively impacting the lives and professions of other female boxers, including Claressa Shields who won USA's first women's boxing gold medal in the 2012 Olympics.
“If I could meet {with} Gail right now, I’d probably give her a hug, because she did a lot for women’s boxing,” said [then] 17-year-old Shields in an interview after returning home to Flint, Mich. from the games. “I wouldn’t know how to go to court for women’s boxing. I just want to box.”
...Noelle Swan, Spare Change News, 8/17/2012
Grandchamp and Shields did meet! See below.
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Grandchamp took a challenging youth that nearly landed her in a correctional facility, and with the advice of a judge, carved out a new path in life that led to legal wins that also paved the way for other women boxers.
This tough fighter with a gentle heart of gold played the largest role in the International Olympic Committee’s decision to allow women's boxing as a competitive sport in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.
You may recall headlines: Women’s Boxing to
be included in the 2012 Olympic Games.
Yet, the “historic decision” to include women’s boxing in the Games did not just surface on Aug. 4, 2009, when International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge announced the Executive Committee's decision to allow women Boxers to compete in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Rather, the foundation had been laid by Grandchamp years earlier following an eight-year court battle and victory, and firm lobbying of the Olympic Committee. (see more in Biography section).
And in this corner it's...
Let's set the WIN Straight!
Another former female boxer from the state of Washington sometimes mistakeningly gets the credit as the women’s boxing trailblazer.
In 1993, at the age of 16 and armed with attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union -- and Grandchamp’s crucial precedent-- that young athlete challenged USA Boxing’s bylaws in court -- the year after Grandchamp's court victory. During that boxer's legal filing, an attorney on her behalf consulted with Grandchamp via multiple phone calls and review of Grandchamp's legal documents graciously forwarded by Grandchamp. The fact is, that athlete already had the right to fight as a result of Grandchamp's legal victory.
The judge approved an injunction and the teen became the first woman to fight in a USA Boxing sanctioned event. That Washington athlete's lawsuit never went to federal trial. The USA Boxing continued contact during that time with Grandchamp, and Grandchamp had also been working to get the International Olympic Committee to open its doors to women boxing. Grandchamp's work dates back to 1984 when the Washington-state fighter was then about 7-years-old!
That athlete, who retired from amateur boxing just nine months after her fight in the ring, never publicly acknowledged that Grandchamp laid the groundwork for her historic fight.
Clarissa Shields admits many of her peers are unaware of what Grandchamp did for women’s boxing. “That’s like not knowing the name Ali,” referring to former heavyweight champion of the world, Muhammad Ali. “You can’t live in the past, but you have to know where you came from.”...taken from Spare Change article, 8/21/2012
“I fought for eight years for this. Nobody else fought that battle... Not even a lawyer!,” says Grandchamp.
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Gold Medalist Clarissa Shields seen sporting a Grandchamp T-Shirt, cropped photo, Essence magazine, August 2012 edition
Here's some more important facts:
The first two female registered boxers in the country both came from Grandchamp's Boxing Club were issued passbooks on July 22, 1992 making them eligible to compete anywhere in the country. Among them, Jenifer Carey.
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(Above) Grandchamp training student Christa Sprague
There's No Discrimination Here!
The Champ offers personal training to both genders, various ages and skill levels. Grandchamp's Personal Fitness and Training Studio is open 7 days a week. Call for details.
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Celebrating Victories!
Check out the Jan. 27, 2016 Bill Newman radio show featuring guest -- none other than -- Gail Grandchamp! http://whmp.com/podcasts/female-boxings-champion/
Gail Grandchamp: Massachusetts Best Kept Secret, But Not For Long!
This grand champ in 2012 was honored in front of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House Chamber for her efforts to establish women’s boxing as an Olympic sport. Although she is mostly known in her native state of Massachusetts, Grandchamp's film titled, “A Fighter with Heart Pursues an Olympic Dream,” is currently in negotiations. The film is not only expected to peak the interest of athletes and those who support women’s issues, but this "feel good" film is expected to be an inspirational project that warrants a broad audience. (see more in Biography section)
March 15, 2012. (l-R) State Senator Ben Downing; Women's Boxer and Sports Activist Gail Grandchamp; Gailanne M. Carridi, Massachusetts State Representative. Grandchamp poses with the state officials after being presented with an award during Women's History Month for her continuous fight for the rights of female athletes and tremendous impact on boxing. Awards presented on behalf of Women's History Month celebrate the efforts and contributions of remarkable women that are or were "unrelenting in producing positive changes for the betterment of society."
“Gail Grandchamp’s positive force and passion in promoting gender equality in sports is still being felt, especially as women’s boxing makes its Olympic debut,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, who grew up in North Adams. Coakley hosted Grandchamp during a visit to the Massachusetts State House in Boston. “Gail is an outstanding role model for young women, and her determination encourages women to stand up and be strong both in and out of the ring.”
...Noelle Swan, Spare Change News, 8/17/2012
Well, the fighter's not that unknown
Grandchamp is already a household name for other big name athletes. The fighter with a heart had trained in the same camp with Mike Tyson under Kevin Rooney, and was in the circles of such boxing greats as Sugar Ray Leonard, and now the late Joe Frazier—"Smokin' Joe." She has been acknowledged by USA Olympic gold medalist Clarissa Shields.
In 2012, Grandchamp trained actor
Sam Rockwell at her 141 State Street, North Adams fitness studio while he was in the area performing at the nearby Williamstown Theatre Festival.
~~~Grandchamp sat ringside at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Team Trials in Spokane, WA as she witnessed first-hand her dream become a reality. As a result of her hard work and persistance, the 2012 Summer Olympic games in London hosted the first ever U.S. Women’s Boxing Team. Competitive female boxing as an Olympic sport is here to stay!
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Taken from Advocate Weekly
Please Donate to Assist Animals
In Loving Memory of Zierra, Grandchamp's beloved long grey-haired dachshund. Zierra is the perfect mascot for Grandchamp's stewardship in which she financially assists those who need help with veterinarian costs. This joyful little girl, who battled cancer and received insulin injections each day to regulate her Diabetes, was a true fighter! Zierra crossed over on Sept. 8, 2015 at the age of 15. She was a true champion and comfort to animal lover Grandchamp.
Grandchamp's Donations for Pets
Gail Grandchamp helps members of her community facing financial hardships. She markets a variety of products with her name and logo on eBay, and accepts other monetary donations. Funds are offered as loans or gifts to Massachusetts residents who need assistance to pay veterinary or related costs as a result of hardship. Those eligible must meet certain criteria. Contact Grandchamp to inquire about assistance. To donate, send checks to: Gail Grandchamp, DBA A Fighter With Heart, 123 Beaver Street, North Adams, MA 01247.
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The Champ with her late friend, the great Smokin' Joe Frazier, heavy weight champ of the world.