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- Tandi Suitter, a former Utah MMA fighter, is now instructing in Idaho.
- Suitter will teach a women's self-defense class at Team Lionheart MMA in Idaho Falls.
- Her classes aim to empower women through Muay Thai, offering physical and mental benefits.
IDAHO FALLS — Team Lionheart MMA, a mixed martial arts gym at 510 2nd Street in Idaho Falls, is hosting a self-defense class for women.
Gym owner Weston Barnes tells EastIdahoNews.com it's happening Saturday, March 8, at 10 a.m. Participants will learn a combination of kickboxing and Muay Thai, a full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps and various clinching techniques.
Tandi Suitter, a longtime Muay Thai instructor and gym owner in Utah County who recently moved to Firth, Idaho, will be the instructor.
Barnes says Suitter contacted him last month about teaching a self-defense class for women. He's excited for the community to meet her.
"She's a really talented coach and fighter," Barnes says.
Suitter moved to Firth with her husband, Blake Suitter, and their children about a month ago. He has family ties to the area and wanted to be closer to them and live a slower lifestyle.
Suitter was on board with that idea and sold her gym several years ago. For the first time in 20 years, she stepped away from the fighting scene to focus on being a mom and raising her kids.
After moving here, she realized how much she missed it. Barnes was thrilled with the idea of having a class for women when Suitter pitched the idea to him.
"We have women come into our gym, but I think it's kind of intimidating for them because it's all men. When she asked if she could teach a women's class, I said, 'Absolutely!'" says Barnes.
Suitter was introduced to Muay Thai during a turbulent time in her life. She became a mom of a child with cerebral palsy at age 16 and had been in several abusive relationships.
"My son's biological dad was really abusive psychologically, physically and in all the ways you can be abusive. After being in a vulnerable situation with him, I always wanted to learn how to defend myself. I was really quiet and insecure at that time," Suitter told KSL.com in 2017.
Muay Thai initially appealed to her because it was a good workout, but she quickly discovered how much skill was involved and it empowered her.
She competed and won numerous fights. A pending neck surgery — which she put off for several years — eventually forced her to quit fighting. That's when she devoted her efforts to instructing full-time.
She opened Wasatch Combat Sports in 2016, according to KSL.com.
Teaching Muay Thai has been a rewarding part of her life and she's excited to get back into it in eastern Idaho.
Suitter says Muay Thai is not just a good physical workout, it also provides mental conditioning that gives participants more confidence in daily life. For women who choose to participate, Suitter says it'll be a decision they won't regret.
"It's a good way for women to learn self-defense and get in shape without feeling intimidated," says Barnes.
The class is open to women of all ages. Boxing gloves and other equipment will be provided.
The goal is to make it a weekly class that meets every Saturday and Suitter is hoping to teach a class during the week as well.
