Ellice Is Fighting for Open Discussion on Mental Health

Melbourne-born Ellice Whichello was a bona fide cardio bunny in her youth; it wasn’t until, to her horror, her spinclass was cancelled, and she took part in a boxing class did she step out of her regimented daily routine and open her mind and the door to an entirely new stage of her life. Boxing not only changed her physical state, it transformed her mind and helped her to grow into the intelligent, balanced #bossbabe she is today. Believe us when we say the best is yet to come for Ellice… so watch this space!

- Ellice Whichello

I grew up in Melbourne with two older brothers. We were your typical kids, wanting to play outside, to build cubby houses with whatever we could find. We moved a lot as a family, but that never fazed me. In fact, I loved starting at a new school; I liked being the new kid on the block!

I always wanted to be one of the boys. If they were playing in the mud, so was I. I remember our neighbours thinking my mum had three boys! But, I’m sure my hot pink coloured play heels gave it away that I was a girl… eventually anyway!

Growing up I was always active, but very bossy and studious. I had the typical brown bob and blunt-cut fringe in primary school (thanks Mum!), I’d always be in a matching top with matching tights and was always smiling. I was quiet most of the time, I used to watch and listen, but because of my reserved nature, my brothers would always exclude me in their fun. I hated missing out and I still do! That’s when I earnt my nickname ‘miss bossy boots’.

I was an active child and ran a lot of cross country at school, so naturally gravitated towards training and leading an active lifestyle as I grew older.

My first training session was in a local gym that was old-school and smelt of sweat. I started off doing spin classes, the active ladies classes and one morning, to my horror (typical regimented woman ha ha), our spin teacher was off sick, so the class moved to boxing instead.