Inside Apex: The Fighter’s Journey with Kelli Wiechmann

Inside Apex: The Fighter’s Journey with Kelli Wiechmann

What does it take to fight at the highest level? For Kelli Wiechmann, it’s a combination of discipline, resilience, and an unrelenting passion for Muay Thai. In this Apex Insider exclusive, Kelli shares her journey, training routine, and how she balances family, competition, and the pursuit of greatness inside the ring.

🔥 Life Inside Apex Fight League

For Kelli, Apex Fight League stands out because of its genuine care for fighters:

🗣 "Honestly, it’s so refreshing to be a part of an organization that truly puts the fighters first. I know a lot of people say that, but I saw it firsthand with Apex. I unfortunately broke my foot in my fight, and they followed up with me during the healing process to make sure that I was doing okay. That meant a ton to me."

The energy at Apex events is electric from start to finish:

🗣 "The energy is fantastic! The fans are loud and so excited to be there from the very first fight all the way through the main event. Backstage is also really high energy, and the fellow fighters are really fun to be around."

Kelli’s favorite moment in Apex wasn’t her own fight—it was watching her teammates succeed:

🗣 "Seeing two of my teammates make their debuts and get their first big wins on the same night. I can’t describe how pumped I was for them. That’s the best feeling."

🧠 The Fighter’s Journey

Unlike many fighters who have a lifelong dream of stepping into the ring, Kelli’s journey started unexpectedly:

🗣 "This question is always funny to me because I have a pretty lame origin story. I’ve always been into sports and competitive. I was a CrossFit coach for about 8 years, and a friend invited me to Legion. I saw my now coach, Mario, holding pads for someone, and it looked like a lot of fun. I asked for a session, and that session turned into a million more. A few months in, he said there was a Muay Thai tournament (USMTO) and that I should try it. I had no hopes of fighting at the time but said sure. I ended up winning both fights by TKO and was hooked from there!"

Her first tournament changed everything:

🗣 "My first fight in USMTO was a game-changer. I realized that I might actually be pretty good at this. Stepping into that ring and realizing it’s just me in there was a crazy feeling. I’ve never experienced anything like it before."

Balancing family, marriage, and training was Kelli’s biggest challenge:

🗣 "The balance of being in a camp, training, and also maintaining a family and a marriage is not an easy thing. I got married shortly after my first tournament and became a stepmother. I had to compromise to take care of my family while still getting my work in. I had to make the tough choice to stop doing MMA and focus on Muay Thai because an MMA camp was just becoming too much for my family. My husband and my son are so supportive of me, and I love Muay Thai so much that it wasn’t too tough of a decision."

🥊 Behind the Scenes: Training & Mindset

Kelli takes her fight camps seriously, ensuring she is in peak condition when fight night arrives:

🗣 "I like to have a longer camp, 8-10 weeks, so I can hammer out my diet and get my training and lifting figured out. I have a phenomenal nutritionist, Tucker at North Valley Med Spa, who keeps my nutrition on point. I pride myself in both my strength and my gas tank when I fight, so my cardio and intensity get amplified during camp."

She is surrounded by an amazing team at Legion:

🗣 "I’m fortunate to be in a gym surrounded by the best group of coaches and training partners. I consider everyone in there my brother (and sister, Z!), and they make sure that I’m ready. They all get to beat me up for 8 weeks, so I think to myself, ‘What’s a girl my size going to do that a bunch of giant men haven’t done in sparring?’ Haha!"

The hardest part of preparation for Kelli isn’t the sparring or conditioning—it’s the weight cut:

🗣 "I don’t think people realize how tough it is for women to cut weight. I always joke when the guys say, ‘I’ll cut 15 pounds the week of.’ I wish! I start dieting the second I sign that contract. Our bodies are literally designed to retain water and fat, so there’s so much discipline that goes into it. There are hard days when I just want a single Oreo, or I don’t want to go run up the mountain, but I snap myself out of it and remember that it’ll all be worth it so I can put on a show."

Her training is highly structured and focused:

🗣 "I’m a very task-oriented person, and my coach is fantastic about tailoring my training towards that. I have a list of things I need to do in each session, and that keeps me focused."

💡 Looking Ahead

Kelli has big goals for the future:

🗣 "I want to turn pro in Muay Thai/kickboxing, and Apex is incredibly helpful in getting me there. They have lots of well-run events that stay on schedule, and I appreciate that so much. I know Apex can help me get to that next level with more ring time."

For young fighters, Kelli’s advice is simple but powerful:

🗣 "Do the work that no one sees. Do what’s hard. Run with a group where you’re the slowest person. Work with people who are better than you. You’re never too good to learn. I still feel like I’m brand new, and I have to remind myself that I’ve been doing this for almost six years. Be a student, and don’t focus on a persona—be yourself and fight like yourself."

She also sees herself giving back to the next generation of fighters:

🗣 "I see myself turning pro and helping out at Legion as much as I can. When I’m not in camp, I love helping our guys who are. We may not fight as a team, but it takes a team to make it to the ring, and I want to help as much as I can."

🚀 What’s Next for Kelli Wiechman?

Kelli Wiechmann’s journey is one of dedication, resilience, and an unwavering passion for Muay Thai. From balancing family and training to preparing for a professional career, her story is a testament to hard work paying off. With Apex Fight League, she is on the path to greatness.

Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories—only on Apex Insider.

🔥 Want to see Kelli Wiechmann in action? Follow Apex Fight League to witness her journey firsthand! 💪🥊