Catalina Reyes was born a fighter she had to be. Growing up in Ciudad Juárez without a father, she watched her mother struggle with illness and financial hardship. To put food on the table and save for her mother’s surgery, she stepped into the ring, fighting not just for survival but for something greater.

When her mother found a job in California, Catalina followed, knowing life there would be better. Still, leaving her home wasn’t easy. Fighting was her passion, and soon she joined a highly-rated martial arts club. She was a nice girl she just had a bit of an attitude. She also joined school and made some friends along the way, she also worked some side jobs to keep the money up, she entered the club, which was mostly Muay Thai and kick boxing.