"Thanks to Merc and her CounterPunch program, our teen has come so far over the past couple of years! Anxiety has always been their biggest challenge, but the strategies they've learned have been a game changer. By tuning into their thoughts and what's physically happening in their body, they can use the CounterPunch techniques to refocus and channel those feelings into physical movements. They finally understand why they feel the way they do, and that alone has been huge. They've genuinely taken back a sense of control over their life, which isn't easy as a teenager. And honestly, our whole family has grown through this too. Love your work Merc!"

"The change in Angus is hard to put into words. I say this, and I don't say it lightly, I think Merc saved his life. The path he was going down was really unhealthy. And he's a great kid, he's a great person and really smart. But he was still going down that path and we have none of that anymore. He has this self-belief in himself. He knows he's got a great future ahead of him. It just doesn't come into question anymore, him making those really poor choices. Absolutely recommend it to everybody every chance I get. I will be eternally grateful that I found this program. The difference in our family is just amazing."

"An amazing experience for us as a family. He's just got this effervescence for life and he's really looking after himself. What we saw as an improvement vastly, and probably the most important one for us, was his relationships with his parents. We're actually communicating. He wants to spend time with us. He doesn't hide in his room. He actually wants to spend time with people and start communicating with them much more, like he was when he was younger. He's realising now that there's just this whole world out there for him, and anything's achievable. My husband and I would highly, highly recommend this program."

"We can drop him off in a foul mood and you pick up a completely different child. He couldn't describe his emotions at all. And he couldn't cool down from his emotions. And that meant that our household was very much on edge. CounterPunch has enabled him to understand what his emotions are. He's able to regulate himself, and he's able to do it much faster. And he's also able to recognise before he's going to get to that point, so he can say to us, 'I can't.' There's a lot less friction, and our house is a lot calmer."

"Just a complete new attitude. He does his own thing now. He's not trying to impress other people by doing the wrong things. Just improved his work ethic tenfold. He doesn't hide in his bedroom anymore. He's always out helping around the house without even having to ask him. Doing his own washing now. He plays with his little brother a lot more. He's just a lot happier and he's got direction. Couldn't have asked for anything better."

"Right from the get-go, in the first couple of weeks, I actually noticed a difference in him. He became more communicative at home. He felt that he could articulate feelings and emotions a whole lot better. He learned skills that I think as a parent I would have actually found really hard to teach him. He just seemed to have a sense of peace and calm and happiness about him."

"His attitude as well towards school, having a mentor has helped him with school."

"Not all the teenagers know how to voice, know how to put into words, to stick up for themselves if they're feeling alienated. CounterPunch really brings that out in them."

"My youngest son started CounterPunch and it was the best thing we could have done for him. We had spent years and thousands of dollars on psychiatrists which did not work. He struggled at school with his behaviour and had been suspended and excluded because of it. Our son is not the type of kid to sit and talk about his feelings. He loved being active and developing the relationships with the mentors who had also gone through similar experiences. He has now made a good group of friends but has also had a very successful school year, where he had no suspensions!! This program works and we are forever grateful to Merc and the mentors for all of their support."

"My son has been part of the CounterPunch program and we honestly can't speak highly enough of the impact it's had on him. The support, guidance and positive environment have helped him build confidence, resilience and a real sense of purpose. Watching his growth has been incredible. Not only has he developed stronger skills and healthier ways to manage challenges, but he's now stepping up to train as a mentor for the younger youth, which speaks volumes about the leadership and values this program fosters. CounterPunch creates a safe, empowering space where young people feel seen, supported and encouraged to be their best."

"CounterPunch is allowing kids to have a safe place to speak and get fit all in one. My son had been bullied and would say he felt like he didn't belong in this world and that no one wanted him here. To hear my 10 year old say that broke my heart. That's when I found CounterPunch and what a difference it has made. My son feels like he belongs, he feels safe and is smiling again."

"The CounterPunch program provides a holistic approach to the well-being of adolescents and their families. So impressive! Definitely looking forward to the program being rolled out here in Queensland. I think it will make a massive difference to the lives of many."

"Thanks Merc for sharing your experience and knowledge in so many areas. I have never been one for parent workshops or self-help books so it was a pleasant surprise to hear some fantastic information that I really think can help with some of the tricky parts of my parenting. It's great to find ways forward with these kids we care about when we feel a bit lost."

"The CounterPunch program that is run by Mercedes is fantastic. The professionalism and skill is second to none. It has given our child not just skills in boxing but also self-respect, respect of others, self-confidence and self-discipline."