Christina Rondeau knows how to fight.

But the hard-hitting blonde, who made a name for herself in kickboxing and boxing arenas across the country, knows a lot more.

She’s a mom, a life coach, an author, fitness advocate, gym owner, and passionate believer that everyone should feel good about themselves.

As 2025 approaches, Rondeau, 52, sat down in the office of her Atwood Avenue gym in Johnston, and talked about her career(s) and why she is committed to helping people take care of themselves — body, mind and spirit.

“As we age, staying fit and taking care of ourselves becomes even more important,” said Rondeau. “It doesn’t matter if someone comes to me or goes somewhere else.  They have to find a place that has the right vibe for them — a place that has the energy they’re looking for.”

Energy is in no short supply at Rondeau’s gym where students — from youths to senior citizens — sweat through fitness classes, and, if they choose, learn to hit hard and kick high. She’s been teaching martial arts and fitness classes for more than 30 years in the area, and most recently bought her current location at 1408 Atwood Ave. in Johnston.

“I just want people to learn to find their strength — to keep moving and be fit,” she said. “I don’t want anyone to ever feel victimized.”

Rondeau’s career as a kickboxer, and then a boxer, started by accident when she was in high school and struggling with being bullied by another student. A native of Woonsocket, she went to a local martial arts academy to help her feel like she could stand up for herself and fell in love with karate and other fighting arts.  At 5 feet, 4-inches tall, with a lot of spirit and stamina, she quickly made a name for herself in kickboxing, winning numerous titles and awards as an amateur and later, as a professional.

A fifth-degree black belt, her accomplishments, caused many, herself included, to turn the phrase, “Fight like a girl,” into a rallying call.  Throughout her career, she has always found time to teach and has run several gyms in the greater Johnston area. In 2019, she was inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Kickboxing Master of the Year.

Quick to smile, Rondeau is a charismatic teacher.  On a recent weeknight, she was bouncing between groups of students, encouraging them to work harder, “You can do this,” she’d say if someone started to falter. “I KNOW you can do this.” She is in constant motion and still moves like a boxer — light on her feet with her hands naturally curled in relaxed fists.

Rondeau retired from professional fighting at 35, when her son and daughter were young. Since then, she has also explored other outlets for her knowledge and creativity.  She has written about a dozen books — some of them children’s books, others instructional books on a wide-range of topics from parenting to self-defense and safety, and one novel about a female private investigator who lives on the wild side.

If that didn’t keep her busy enough, Rondeau made sure she found time to support the community by starting the charity “Knockout Wishes,” which raises funds for people going through hard times. 

Rondeau is also dedicated to sharing messages of positivity, either through her fitness classes, her books, or her charity. She says that her experiences of having been bullied and then later learning to survive in a tough sport, have led her to focus on the heart and soul of what she does.

“I learned a lot on my own and I want to inspire people,” she said.  “When I work with my students, I want them to be motivated on many levels.”

She pointed to one of the t-shirts she has designed for her gym. It features the image of a Madonna and the words Soul Fighter.

“And what is a soul fighter?” Rondeau asks pointing to the inscription around the image. “It’s a person who over comes obstacles with their mind, body and soul…That’s what I try to bring to my students.”