12/04/2025
We are crushed and have been without words to describe how we have felt these past few days since hearing of Adrienne’s journey from this world.
We first met Adrienne when she joined our classes at Siam. She was enthusiastic, fun, and just so gracious and kind. In those early days, we never would have imagined that she would transform from a teacher and musician into one of our most dedicated students. She became a talented athlete and a fierce member of our fight team and a huge part of what we called our Siam family. One of many favorite memories was having Adrienne join us on a training trip to Thailand as she brought so much fun being so enthusiastic, dedicated to her training, adventurous, and always laughing.
Seeing pictures now of Adrienne laughing, we can still hear that infectious, wonderful laughter. She was incredibly easy to be around and so authentically kind. She had a way of boosting everyone around her, and to be in her presence, you couldn’t help but feel good. She inspired so many to laugh, to embrace life, to be kind, and to follow their dreams no matter the obstacles in front of them. And having had that personality larger than life, she will continue to inspire.
To know her was to love her.
Adrienne wasn’t just loved in our combat sports community her kindness and fire made her deeply loved across the music community as well. Her bandmates and brothers from Kelevra, her students and fellow teachers, her family and friends and truly everyone who crossed her path carry stories of her warmth, her talent, her humour, and her beautiful soul.
She gave so much to the world and left it better than she found it.
To know her was to love her.
Adrienne's own words about medical challenges say so much about who she was and how she chose to live:
“I spent a year and a half training my body in preparation for the day I may get a call for a heart transplant. I needed to be ready for another battle. I needed it to not be all in vain….”
And in saying goodbye to many things she loved in life, she still offered such a thoughtful and positive perspective:
“Yet these self-indulgent and woeful goodbyes all pale in comparison to what I have gained. Strange how this tiny machine inside of me would teach me the most valuable lesson anyone can learn: all we have in this world is the love we give and the love we receive. Every other certainty we cling to of importance is an illusion.
I want people to know that I am not limited by my medical story. It is an important part of my journey, but I don’t want to be defined by these narrow parameters. I want to live life to the fullest and take my donor’s heart with me on this beautiful and joy-fuelled ride, honouring their legacy in every action.”
Adrienne, you could never be defined by your medical story. You were always so much more than what you went through. You embodied such an authentic spirit of love and joy through an incredibly tough journey. You will live on in our memories, in our hearts, and in the way you continue to inspire us to live fully, love deeply, and be kind.
For anyone wanting to read her beautiful article in her own words, I’ve shared the link in the comments.
