In July and August, espnWs weekly essay series will focus on body image.Ugh. You dress like a boy, I remember my mom complaining during numerous department store visits. I felt more comfortable in jeans than in itchy tights and a skirt.Growing up, I resigned to filling the role of the bro-chick archetype and never allowed myself to explore my femininity. Now, Im more aware of my gender. Theres nothing like training in Muay Thai -- which involves striking with hands, shins, elbows and knees -- to make you realize you arent one of the guys.As a female, navigating spaces populated and designed mainly for men can be difficult. After all, fighting is heavily associated with masculinity. And long before Muay Thai was the national sport of Thailand, the physical exercise was developed for hand-to-hand combat in actual warfare. Muay Thai requires mental doggedness.We all know there is a certain challenge with being a woman in this world. Not surprising, women remain a minority of combat sport practitioners.In November 2015, I started Muay Thai. I outgrew the cardio-focused, no-contact gyms. I wanted to train to fight at a combat gym that developed professional Muay Thai fighters, as opposed to a fitness center that just offered workout classes.When I joined?New World Combat gym in Fort Worth, Texas, I knew I was entering a predominately masculine space, but what I didnt realize was how, somewhat paradoxically, doing so would ultimately allow me to fully step into my feminine energy.While training at the gym, my daily interactions constantly reminded me of my womanhood. I had to tell my male training partners to strike harder, as it was obvious they reduced their power. They didnt want to hurt me, one man once told me.Well, they did kick harder than I did, but you best believe I was able to take a strike. I can kick pretty damn high, too. I am motivated to train twice as hard as the guys.As much as I practice Muay Thai, because I love it and not for the approval of others, any athlete can tell you that there exists an underlining desire for the esteem of your coach. I am no different.While I continue to notice an ever-growing respect from my gym mates, I often cant help but feel my coach is more dedicated to the success of my training partners, for the sole reason that they are males.I have cried in my car post-training, wondering what I have to do to gain his respect. Every now and then I am overwhelmed with frustration, feeling like my technique is up to par with my male training partners tactics. Ive felt my coach was holding me back because he didnt believe I could hang with the boys.I wanted to be viewed as a fighter, but like I once held on to the tomboy label, I now welcome the title of female fighter. As one of only three women at the gym, I feel a responsibility to represent what women fighters are capable of doing in the ring.I cater my training to account for the realities of my slender body type. When I was younger, I worked to hide my feminine traits in hopes of receiving some sense of acceptance and validation in male-centric spaces. I now openly embrace my femininity in and outside the ring.Gender is fluid and not a spectrum with tomboys on one end and girly girls on the other. I love shoes, but I also love taking off my shoes and kicking people in the face.Yvonne Cruz is a freelance writer, designer, and blogger based out of Fort Worth. You can follow her Muay Thai journey and work on both Instagram and Twitter follow @TejanaMaluca. Jerseys NFL Wholesale . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Wholesale Stitched Jerseys . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No. http://www.cheapjerseysfinish.com/ ., for the next three years with the signings on Monday of Daryl Townsend and Michael Carter. NFL Jerseys Supply . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm. China NFL Jerseys . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times.Tony Pulis was full of praise for the performance of 17-year-old Jonathan Leko on his first Premier League start but was critical of U21 football following his sides 3-0 defeat to West Ham. Leko became the first player born in 1999 to make a Premier League start and he put in an impressive display despite seeing his side well beaten by an in-form West Ham team.But despite his impressive showing, Pulis warned of the challenge facing Leko and other academy prospects trying to make the breakthrough from the U21s to senior football. Tony Pulis praised the performance of 17-year-old Jonathan Leko Weve got a lot of talent in the academy and Johns got raw talent, Pulis told Sky Sports.What they need is they need to be out playing against men, learning their trade.Ive watched a lot of it and U21s football is no preparation for players, who are then going to make that step to league or Premier League football, he added. Leko made his first Premier League start in West Broms 3-0 defeat to West Ham We have to get these kids with raw talent out playing against men and playing in front of supporters are paying to see their team win.Theyll be hardened by it and work with professional people who know the game. You get taught doing it not talking about it. Phil Thompson gives his reaction to West Hams 3-0 away victory against West Brom Despite the defeat, Lekos emergence was a real positive for West Brom and Pulis was full of praise for his performance, comparing him to Crystal Palace wideman Yannick Bolasie.ddddddddddddHes got unbelievable talent Pulis said.I worked with Bolasie at Crystal Palace and he could do things that you thought were just natural.Johns the same. His balance and his change of pace are superb and hell score goals.Hes a very good talent as long as he keeps his feet on the ground. Also See: Hammers stay in Euro hunt Match in a minute Pulis: We didnt take chances Table ' ' '