About
After years of self-doubt and self-deprecation, Vickie Simos (BA (Psych) G.dip.C&PsyMCounselling) has made many discoveries about who she was and who she wants to be – a confident, strong person who considers herself worthy of all the best life has to offer. From these experiences Vickie Simos founded Thelo (Teach, Help, Elevate, Lives, Organically) with the desire to share her hard learned knowledge and help other people gain confidence in mind and body.
Vickie works with children, teenagers and adults, incorporating an unorthodox method of combining Martial Arts (MA) and the therapeutic techniques of counselling. Combining these has shown to assist with trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low self-confidence and low self-worth. Vickie is seeing great results working with neurodivergent children.
Vickie has been featured across a range of media, including ABC News Radio, 3AW, and Alive 90.5, and has appeared on multiple podcasts such as Thriving Minds, Roll with the Punches, and Off the Pitch. Her work has been profiled in Neos Kosmos and other digital publications, and she has collaborated with organisations such as the Black Dog Institute to raise awareness around mental health. As a speaker, she delivers workshops and presentations across schools, businesses, and community groups, and has presented to large student audiences on the topics of resilience, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.
Over twos decades Vickie has been involved in working with children, with various programs including Melbourne Kids Developmental Services, and the Active After School communities program, as well as mentoring and volunteering at various schools and organisations such as Anglicare. She has also worked and volunteered at Pronia as a case manager/counsellor, working with different nationalities. Vickie completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English 2013 and a Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling 2014 at the University of Adelaide and received a Master of Counselling 2016 and current Alum at Monash University.
Vickie's ongoing struggle to find her identity persisted from adolescence into adulthood, until she encountered martial arts, particularly boxing, which brought about a transformative shift in her life. The journey was far from effortless, yet with the guidance of a committed instructor who recognised her potential, the camaraderie of friends, and unwavering family support, particularly from her siblings, Vickie gleaned a profound insight. She discovered that perseverance and self-belief can lead to remarkable accomplishments. Reaching this juncture was undoubtedly challenging, and it continues to be a battle, but it's marked by numerous small victories achieved along the way.
Vickie has since trained in Martial Arts for 30 years and been a Personal Trainer for 20 years. With two black belts in different disciplines – 2nd Degree in Arjukanpo Karate and a 4th Degree in Doce Pares Eskrima. Has competed in numerous tournaments nationally and internationally in the USA, Philippines and New Zealand, which include two World Championships for Stick Fighting, receiving 2 silvers and 1 bronze medal, as well as a Gold in the Pan Pacific’s held in New Zealand. Vickie trained at the International Combative Martial Arts Academy with instructor Senior Grandmaster Vince Palumbo, in the Philippines with the founder of Cacoy Canete Doce Pares Eskrima, Supreme Grand Master Ciriaco Cacoy Canete, and America at House of Champions Academy of Martial Arts with Master Mark Parra, which is frequented by many celebrities. In 2009 Vickie also travelled to New Zealand to train with Master Leigh Jenkins.
In her memoir 'The Boxer Within', Vickie shares her journey to find the passion within, not only a story about boxing; it’s about finding something that moves you when all seems lost. It’s about what lies beneath, beyond a person’s heart and soul.
Visit The Boxer Within website to read her story and purchase the book.
