NPPF

Marielle Carlos practices defensive drills with Heaven Mendez, 6, on Thursday, Dec. 2, at Hullet House Gym, a multi-purpose MMA and boxing gym. After following her around that evening, Heaven asked Marielle to help her put on boxing gloves and teach her some moves. "I'm protective of them," Marielle says about the girls in her life. "I want them to see me and know that whatever they wanna be is possible too and that people are actually cheering for them."