In 2021, whilst completing a bachelors degree in Psychology, Psychotherapy, and counselling, Tish Allsopp, a mom of 2, began using Muay Thai and X-fit to manage post natal depression and severe poor mental health. When September of 2021 rolled around, it was clear through numerous conversations with other parents, that this martial arts discipline seemed to be having a significant positive effect on their children and thus the idea of MALS was born. 

Then in 2024, with Tish finishing a Masters Degree in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, she was able to use her dissertation to produce a research paper on whether Muay Thai could help children develop life skills and use this as the bases for a new approach to positive youth development by using martial arts. With this complete, she was able to finally set up the project and bring to life an idea that was born 3 years prior.

Tish, now a training sport and exercise psychologist, trains recreationally in Muay Thai herself whilst her husband Ben Allsopp, another director of the Charitable Company, trains and coaches in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA.