Trauma Informed Podcast
Counter Punch with Mercedes Taaffe-Cooper
This was an interview for the Trauma Informed Podcast where Jeffrey spoke with Mercedes about her CounterPunch program, a structured approach using boxing and sports to work with adolescents. Mercedes explained how she developed the program over 15 years, starting as a combat sports coach with 43 years of experience before transitioning to psychology and creating a curriculum that combines reality therapy with physical movement to help teens deal with life's challenges during adolescence. The program operates in three phases, beginning with skill development and movement patterns, then progressing to teaching tools around value goal setting and internal control, all while using boxing as a medium without any contact between participants. Mercedes discussed how the program addresses common adolescent issues including suicide prevention, social development, and behavioral challenges, with particular success in helping high-functioning teens who might otherwise go undiagnosed. She described the physical exercises, including boxing fundamentals, footwork, and skipping, while emphasizing that the program is gender-specific and focuses on prevention rather than treating high-end trauma or mental health issues. Mercedes shared her personal background in combat sports, including representing Australia in Masters Boxing, and discussed plans to expand the program both within Australia and internationally, including presentations in Ireland and potential expansion to America.
