True North Leah McCourt: Mother, Sister, Fighter (BBC One NI 2023-01-11)

Today 2023-01-11, there is a new episode of True North.

Leah McCourt: Mother, Sister, Fighter Coming off the tail of a loss in her last fight, Northern Ireland’s premier mixed martial artist Leah McCourt goes on a tough training camp in a quest to return to winning ways.

This documentary follows Leah from the outset of fight-camp, as she manages the pressures of a tough training regime, media engagements, and the physical and mental components of competing at the top level of mixed martial arts.

We also get a first-hand view into Leah’s life on the road and the hardships that entails whilst juggling her duties of being mum to daughter, Isabella. We meet Leah’s family and comrades, including ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann, who gives us an insight into her life, both in and out of the Bellator cage.

Leah describes what the world of mixed martial arts means to her, the highs and lows of being a high-profile fighter, her plans for the future and how it feels to be an inspiration, not only to her daughter Isabella, but for every young girl seeking to fulfil their ambitions.

The documentary culminates in Leah’s comeback to the cage for a high-profile contest against Dayana Silva at Bellator 285 in Dublin’s 3Arena.

With behind-the-scenes access, viewers experience the demands placed upon Leah during fight camp, from making weight to media appearances, and to the dramatic moments backstage in the seconds before stepping into a crowded arena full of fight fans cheering her on.

Airdate: 2023-01-11 at 22:40 on BBC One NI

Season 14 Episode 7

Series of documentaries looking at life in modern-day Northern Ireland.

Featured image credit: BBC One NI

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• Spotlight: 23/05/2023 (BBC One NI Tuesday 23 May 2023)

• The Peninsula Nurses: Episode 1 (BBC One NI Monday 22 May 2023)

• Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland: It Wasn’t Like a Movie Anymore (BBC One NI Monday 22 May 2023)

• Bikes!: North West 200 Part 3 (BBC One NI Friday 19 May 2023)

• Bikes!: North West 200 Part 1 (BBC One NI Friday 12 May 2023)

• Murder In Paradise Series Premiere (BBC One NI Monday 10 April 2023)

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• Mysteries From Above: Military Mysteries (SBS Viceland HD Sunday 1 October 2023)

• Empires Of New York: Crossing The Line Without Consequences (SBS Sunday 1 October 2023)

• Rebel with A Cause: Series Premiere (SBS Sunday 1 October 2023)

• My Kitchen Rules: (Channel 7 Sunday 1 October 2023)

• Landline: This Week (ABC TV Sunday 1 October 2023)

• The Newsreader: Series 2 Episode 4 (ABC TV Sunday 1 October 2023)