Over the past two years Bree Johnson, 17, found her health, education and job prospects hampered by pancreatitis.

“I weighed about 37 kilos, had really bad sharp pains, couldn't walk sometimes,” the North Albury teenager recalled.

One day in Fredericks Park, often known as the turtle park, she decided to join a session run by Extreme Combined Arts and its sifu (master) Jason Wornes.

“I just got into training, I loved kicking and punching,” she said.

“Then I started getting into doing sit-ups and squats, started eating healthy foods, not long after I started.”

Bree believes her martial arts training has improved her health and outlook.

“I was a bit troubled when I was younger,”  she said.  “I was naughty, just an attitude.”

But family and others have noticed a difference during her nine months of sessions three days a week.

“I’m a lot more sensible and mature now, apparently,” Bree laughed.

“I’ve never stuck to something for this long as well, you learn discipline.” 

On Saturday at Noreuil Park, Bree and another Extreme Combined Arts student Donna Elliott will be graded for their green and yellow ribbons respectively by Master El Da Costa, a visiting Chow Wing Kung Fu grand master.

The pair will complete a series of kata (movement patterns) and sparring rounds.

Mr Wornes said Extreme Combined Arts aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle and martial arts as a whole, not just one particular style.

“Some people come and I let them have a run on the field, so to speak, because it’s not for everyone,” he said. 

“They come, then they go, then when they need me they come back."

Mr Wornes admitted he thought Bree would last maybe three lessons when she first turned up to train.

“It just goes to show me you never know and Bree kept coming back and coming back and coming back and look where it’s got her,” he said.

“It’s a credit to her.”