Extreme fighting helped Crystal conquer addiction

● Crystal van Wyk is a woman of many talents — dancer, fitness instructor, wife, mother and even chaplain. But for her, fighting is what ultimately saved her from drug addiction and depression.

“The Lovely”, as the 34-year-old is called in the mixed-martial arts (MMA) world, learned the extreme fight game in the US, although she lost her EFC debut against rookie Jessica “GI Jess” Mouneimne by submission in the second round in Johannesburg last night.

She and husband Hentie spent seven years in the US, initially going there on a religious visa to attend Bible school.

He was already an MMA coach, having learned the art from Mouneimne’s brotherin-law, Omar. Like Van Wyk, “GI Jess” is coached by her husband, Mike.

Van Wyk, who gave in to her drug addition a few times while in the US, started working out as a hobby at the UFC gym where Hentie coached. She showed an aptitude for jiu-jitsu and someone soon suggested that she fight.

“I’m just a fearless person, I’m always game for anything,” said Van Wyk, who lived in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

“I was thrown in at the deep end, but I did well. Since then I was addicted.”

MMA was a natural progression.

“Fighting has helped me a lot in my life because I was a drug addict, I struggled with a lot of depression … The discipline that goes into this is next level, it pulled me out of a dark space in my life.

“I fell into depression. I would just go party and be with friends, I fell off the wagon a couple of times and fighting’s the only thing that brought me back. God and fighting.”

She and Hentie started a gym in the US, as a non-profit venture to assist people struggling with addiction and other issues.

The one thing she had to get as a fighter in the US was a ring name. Initially she was Crystal Light, because she was light on her feet and fast, she recounted with a slight American twang. “Then my husband and a sponsor came up with the [new] name. I don’t know why?” she said, turning to Hentie. “She always laughs,” he explained. “She’s happy, she always looks feminine. She’ sa black belt in shopping as well, loves to dress up, nails, make-up, so he said ‘call her The Lovely’.”

In the cage her effervescence disappears. “It’s the most calm I ever feel. When I climb in there everything just goes silent, it’s a surreal feeling. I feel like I’m floating,” she said.

“When that gate is closed, that’s me and you, I tap into something else. I might be this friendly, bubbly person, but when I’m in there, I’m focused,” added Van Wyk, who returned to Cape Town only seven months ago.

She started out as a dancer, in hip hop and contemporary, before evolving into fitness training. Her two daughters, 16 and 13, are taking a faster route to the cage, spending much time at the gym and in church.

“They train. They don’t fight yet, but I want them to. They get nervous to watch me, but they love it. They’re both very talented.”

Both fighter and trainer admitted it can be tough switching from master-student to husband-and-wife. “It’s so hard,” said Van Wyk. “Sometimes when we’re in there training we both lose control.”

They’ve had their ups and downs, but after 14 years together they say they’re as strong as ever and are looking to launch a fight-for-marriage programme to help other couples focus on what Hentie calls “climbing the family mountain”.

“We’ve been through a lot as a couple,” said Van Wyk. “I’ve also tried getting another coach, but my husband is the best coach for me ... my husband is my best friend.”

I fell off the wagon a couple of times and fighting’s the only thing that brought me back. God and fighting Crystal van Wyk

MMA fighter