Help Paige Represent Team USA in Italy

Hi, I’m Paige, and I’ve been given the opportunity to represent Team USA at the World Championships in Italy this June 25th-29th.

It still feels surreal to say that. I wasn’t supposed to make it here. My journey hasn’t been easy, polished, or handed to me—it’s been fought for, every step of the way.

Growing up, I battled with severe mental health problems. I survived multiple suicide attempts, a great deal of loss in my personal life, and the consistent feeling of not being able to find a way out of the place I was in. For a long time I carried the shame of feeling like I was not enough, and would not amount to much. Through consistent, daily, and yearly effort, I found a way out. Or rather, I fought my way out. Through discipline. Through movement. Through Muay Thai, and the amazing community I am grateful to be surrounded by.

Muay Thai didn’t just change my life—it saved it. It gave me structure, purpose, and the ability to express and transmute a lot of pain I was holding in a healthy, focused way. It gave me a path to rebuild myself—not as a victim of my past, but as a warrior with something to prove, and even more to give, in the ring and on the mats.

I now train and coach full-time, compete regularly, and pour my heart into helping others—especially those individuals who have a similar story to my own— reclaim their power through discipline and consistency.

Making Team USA wasn’t luck. It was the result of years of hard work, not just by myself, but with my coach and team—early mornings, late nights, a torn ACL, setbacks, sacrifices, and relentless dedication. But to compete at this level, especially internationally, comes with a cost.

That’s why I’m asking for support.

I’m raising funds to cover participation fees, travel, lodging, food, gear, and all the necessary expenses for this trip to Italy. Every dollar helps me step into that ring not just for myself, but for every person who’s ever felt like giving up—and chose to fight instead.

If you’ve followed my journey, been inspired by my story, or believe in what I stand for, I’d be deeply grateful for your support—whether that’s through a donation or by sharing this page.

I’m not going to Italy to take selfies and say I was there.

I’m going to win.

To represent Team USA.

To honor my community that helped build me.

And to show the world what’s possible when you don’t quit.

Thank you for believing in me.

— Paige Jurado Burns