Poppy Lancey

Miss Poppy Lancey began her martial arts journey in 2007 at just nine years old, inspired by the original Karate Kid and driven by a determination to master the iconic jumping front snap kick. What started as a confidence-building activity quickly became her passion, shaping her into the martial artist and instructor she is today.

With foundations in Taekwondo and Kickboxing, alongside years of training in mixed martial arts, Poppy has developed a broad and versatile skill set. Her experience across striking, self-defence, conditioning, and practical application allows her to coach students of all ages with both depth and precision.

One of her proudest achievements is earning her 1st Degree Black Belt — a milestone that tested her physically and mentally and represents years of hard work, resilience, and personal growth.

At YAMA, Poppy thrives in the academy’s positive, family-focused atmosphere. She loves the energy of the students, the dedication of the instructor team, and the sense of community that makes every class feel like home. For Poppy, the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing students progress — whether it's nailing a technique they've struggled with or achieving a major milestone like passing their grading. Watching their confidence grow is what fuels her passion to teach.

Poppy believes YAMA stands out because it blends traditional values, real-life self-defence, modern MMA training, and a genuinely supportive community. Here, students don’t just learn martial arts — they build confidence, discipline, and life skills that stay with them far beyond the mats.

A fun fact many students don’t know: Poppy has a tattoo dedicated to her MMA journey, a personal reminder of the confidence, discipline, and resilience martial arts has given her.

Looking ahead, Poppy’s goal is to share MMA with as many people as possible. She wants to inspire the next generation, support students in discovering their potential, and give others the same life-changing opportunities she received.

In addition to their teaching role, Mis Lancey is also a member of the YAMA Examiners Panel and regularly conducts both in-club gradings and YAMA panel gradings, helping to uphold the high technical standards, consistency, and professionalism across the academy.

YAMA is proud to have Miss Lancey as part of the team — a dedicated instructor, a positive role model, and a lifelong martial artist.