This Boxer Turned Model Will Change The Fashion Industry

Baumgardner is known as Boxer Turned Model. She became professional in 2017 and currently owns a 9-1 record, is a familiar face to sports fans, but she’s also been making waves in the fashion world recently. Baumgardner, who was signed to Ford Models in May, has been featured prominently in Adidas advertisements as one of the sportswear brand’s official ambassadors and is set for crossover success. That is not, however, distracting her. “Everything I do is for the future because I am aware that the future me is waiting,” she explained over the phone from Florida. “I’ve learned that if you work hard enough, you can do anything, and I’ve built my life around that concept.”

Baumgardner, like many other sportsmen, has encountered difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns, which have forced the cancellation of several athletic events throughout 2020. She was also battling with a damaged anterior cruciate ligament in her knee at the time, which necessitated surgery, further impeding her training progress. “I took a year and a half off, and now it’s back to the drawing board,” Baumgardner explains. “[Normally] in boxing, there are no breaks. Because it is year-round, lockdown provided me with an opportunity to work on myself. I’m sure everyone suffered from bouts of sadness and anxiety during that time period, given how isolated we were. On that level, I had to dig deep since I enjoy being outside, being in the sun, going on runs, or reading outdoors. I needed to maintain an active lifestyle since it is an integral part of who I am.”

Baumgardner developed an early interest in athletics. Baumgardner’s athleticism runs in the family—her cousin is Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde—and her parents spotted her inherent athletic skills well before she entered elementary school. Baumgardner began wrestling at the age of five in her hometown of Freemont, Ohio, where she was one of the few female participants. Having the opportunity to compete with the lads boosted my confidence. “There was no such thing as a separation. I was certain that I could compete with the males and be just as excellent as they were,” she explains. “When I was around eight years old, they asked if I wanted to try boxing. I said, ‘sure, why not? ‘” Having having demonstrated her ability in combat sports, she swiftly adjusted to boxing. “It was the ideal transition because I had previously been active in a male-dominated sport, and those experiences formed who I am as an athlete,” she explains. “I fell in love with the sport and have continued to participate in it ever since.”

Baumgardner was also immersing herself in high fashion through publications, films, and her ever-evolving personal style, which leans toward the athletic yet unabashedly feminine. “I was labeled a tomboy because I was a female who participated in boy’s sports, but I’m a feminine person at heart,” she explains. “I’ve always enjoyed dressing up, doing makeup, having my nails done, and generally demonstrating my feminine side. Some people may just see Alycia the boxer, or they will perceive me as a lovely face, but knowing that I am capable of being a beast in the ring and a beauty outside of it is powerful.” There are also practical benefits to remaining current with trends. “Boxing is an entertainment business; your image is critical,” Baumgardner adds, referencing theatrical performers like Deontay Wilder. “People pay attention to your entrance, and your uniform communicates a narrative from the time you come out. Clothes are a means to express yourself; whether it’s a sparkly ensemble, rhinestones, or sequins, the fashion statement may highlight your abilities.”

Baumgardner exhibits this concept on social media. Her Instagram is brimming with images of her practicing in leopard print cycling shorts and posing in multicolored crop tops and leggings that highlight her chiseled figure. Though Baumgardner openly flaunts her muscles now, she acknowledges that confidence took time to develop. “I consider my body as an artwork; my muscles speak for themselves,” she explains. “I used to feel quite self-conscious about them; as a little girl, I would inquire as to why I possessed them since muscles were [classified] as masculine. I needed to grow out of that attitude and learn to be comfortable in my own flesh. That is something I aim to instill in the fashion world: an understanding that muscles are feminine and womanly; you can embrace your natural appearance and flaunt it rather than adhering to a mold.”

While the concept of a boxer fronting a campaign is not novel. Laila Ali, Oscar de la Hoya, and Zeina Nassar are among the celebrities who have appeared for Vogue Italia, Puma, and Nike, respectively. However, Baumgardner could not have anticipated her future path. “I’d always wanted to be a model, but what’s crazy is that I never dreamed the chance would present itself now,” she explains. “When Ford approached me, I thought, ‘Okay, this is significant, but it’s also another path and an opportunity to show that other part of myself.'” Modeling’s ups and downs need a different sort of mindset than boxing, but Baumgardner is excited for what lies ahead. “I’m open to everything, including the runway,” she says. “As an athlete and a woman, I thrive on the challenge of experimenting and learning new things. As with boxing, modeling is a learned skill; you must practice being at ease in front of the camera and posing.”

Fashion month is approaching, but This Boxer Turned Model is now focused on re-entering the ring. August’s bout will be her first since undergoing ACL surgery in 2020, as well as her first since losing her mentor, Ali Salaam, in COVID-19 that same year. Baumgardner maintains her optimism despite injuries and personal sorrow in the last year. “All of my disappointments propelled me forward,” she explains. “This experience is unique in that regardless of the storms I have weathered, I will emerge stronger, and being the warrior that I am, I will continue pushing forward. This struggle will demonstrate the true value of patience. ‘Patience develops into character, and character develops into hope. And this optimism will never let us down.'”