Praise for
Left Write Hook

Kellie Testimonials

“This program has literally saved my life. No one ever taught me that I have to move the trauma out of my body…I have come further in 16 sessions of Left Write Hook than what I did in 20 years. Thank you for giving me a new lease on life.”

— Kellie

“Left Write Hook felt like I untangled my trauma from its tight little ball inside my chest - and when I spoke the thread of my experience connected with the experiences of other women - I realised this thread ran through not just my body but the bodies of other survivors.”

— Erica

From survivors

  • “When I first signed up for Left Write Hook, I was so incredibly scared - of facing my past, of being vulnerable with others and of boxing. But over the eight weeks I spent in that gym, I learnt to trust myself, my writing, my feelings and my body.”

    - Alex

  • “This is a safe space to hear, to share, and to heal. Pushed forward, not down.”

    - Betty

  • “The combination of boxing and writing was really effective for me, connecting with the feelings/pain, then boxing it out is empowering.”

    - Nat

  • “Left Write Hook was the first place I shared my story openly with strangers, who became, by the end of the program, key figures in my healing journey”

    - Sall

  • “I cried, I laughed, I got angry and sad. But I had what I needed to get through it.”

    - JG

  • “I thought it was great after each session we sat quietly and reflected on what we had done. It was amazing to be with Donna and the group, each person encouraging each other through all the ups and downs.”

    - Julie

  • “The writing aspect triggered emotions but I felt supported in a safe space. The workbook handout demonstrated a researched approach to delivering this unique workshop. Boxing and writing, setting boundaries. Safety.”

    - Anonymous

  • “Of course it brought sh*t up! Kinda the point and a good thing because it was a safe space and I was empowered to see it and work it in my own way. It was safe for me.”

    - L

  • “My body’s always been the site of the trauma. Now it’s the site of my resistance.”

    - Anonymous

  • “Left Write Hook is unlike any other survivor program I have come across. After completing Left Write Hook I feel like I can see so much more opportunity and hope for connection with my body, my life, my partner, the world.”

    - Annie

  • “I found the Left Write Hook experience to be a profound learning and healing journey. I discovered that my body wasn’t weak (like I thought it was) and that I could speak my truth amongst a safe and caring community.”

    - DGJ

  • “The program was one of the hardest things I ever started and I am so incredibly upset it is finished. I found so much comfort and strength by being with other survivors and hearing how even with our different experiences we had similar feelings. I think this is an amazing program that really helped me to engage with my own emotions in a new way.”

    - Alex

  • “Burning off the excess emotion and using it constructively, shifting our focus to our bodies, changing up our energy and having fun with boxing is healing and powerful. For myself, I have always dealt with things through writing, creativity, and exercise. This was the perfect balance.”

    - Kylie

  • “Left Write Hook gave me a space where I could be believed.”

    - Anonymous

  • “The facilitators were very approachable and knowledgeable.”

    - DJ

  • “It brought up some past trauma but in a controlled and healthy way.”

    - Anonymous

  • “[The facilitators] were all very supportive, understanding and lovely to deal with each week.”

    - Alex

  • “Absolutely loved the program. Helped me more than anticipated. Having lived-experience facilitators makes a huge difference.”

    - Anonymous

  • “The facilitation was excellent, great encouragement and support.”

    - Red

  • “I'm grateful for having a space where I could just be with my trauma and not feel like I have to hide the impact and my emotions that came with that”

    - JR

  • “The physicality of the boxing helped me to shed that shame by externalising it, almost metabolising it. I feel lighter. I feel strong and proud of myself.”

    - Dianne

  • “Doing this program helped me find my voice – which has had a hugely positive impact in me, my family life, my relationships, and my work.”

    - Ruth

From professionals

“I just came across your article about your program combining boxing with writing. I very much hope you and your colleagues will continue with this work, in all its complexities to help open people’s minds to explore multiple avenues to recovery!”

- Bessel A. van der Kolk MD, Professor of psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine,#1 NYT Best Seller The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Healing of Trauma

  • “In 25+ years of working with people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, I have come to understand the need to assist people to physically move through, as well as speak about, the trauma in order to lessen the hold that the impacts that the abuse can have on one’s life – Left Write Hook does both with powerful effectiveness.”

    - Maria Vucko, (BA BSW MSW AMHSW)

  • “These programs also play a powerful role in disrupting shame and stigma, and demonstrate how trauma-informed and peer-led approaches can promote resilience and support healing.”

    - Carolyn Gillespie, Co-CEO Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing

  • “By no choice of their own, survivors of childhood sexual abuse spend the entirety of their lives ‘in the ring’, fighting. Left Write Hook offers visceral insights into survivors’ fierce, compelling, and ultimately triumphant stories.”

    - Dr Joy Townsend, Learning Consent

  • “Donna Lyon has the ability to get women to open up and reveal all, and in the process begin the journey to healing. Boxing is a violent sport, but projects like Left Write Hook take the violence out of it, so that it becomes therapeutic and gives you power.”

    - Tommy Hopkins, Fitlife Boxing Club, Master Boxing Victoria