Florida woman fends off attackers in empty gym: ‘Never give up

A 24-year-old woman in Tampa, Fla., was recently assaulted at the gym and the disturbing ordeal was caught on camera.

She made her attacker give up: “Keep fighting”

The ordeal took place on January 22 while Nashali Alma was completing a workout at her apartment complex’s gym.

While she was training in the empty facility, a man approached the door and tried to get in. Nashali then proceeded to answer the door as she had previously seen him at the gym. ABC Action News reports.

“Usually people forget their keychains and key fobs. We let them in, so I let the Lord in. I didn’t think twice about letting him in. I was in the middle of my training.”

However, after she returned to her set, the man approached and tried to grab Nashali. In response, she tried to escape and – after he caught her – she fought back with all her might.

“After wrestling on the ground for a bit, I walked ahead and tugged at his whiskers. I started spinning, spinning, spinning. I could see on his face that it hurt a lot.”

Nashali was found unable to contact law enforcement during the fight, although she was able to tire him out thanks to her tireless efforts. As a result, he finally gave up.

“I would tell every woman to keep fighting and never give up. As long as you fight back and show him you’re strong and not giving up, I believe it’s possible to escape.”

A woman shares her experience after fighting off a man who physically assaulted her at her apartment complex’s gym.

Nashali Alma wanted to share her experiences to encourage other women who have dealt with similar incidents to speak up. pic.twitter.com/hyTeO3quRA

— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) February 15, 2023

The suspect was tracked down and arrested the next day

On January 23, the suspect, identified as Xavier Thomas-Jones, was taken into custody after entering another woman’s home and asking to “hang out”.

However, he was driven out by the woman’s partner. Upon arrest, Xavier reportedly admitted to wanting to have sexual relations with both women he had approached.

𝘼𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙: Xavier Thomas-Jones, 25, faces charges of sexual harassment, kidnapping and false imprisonment. pic.twitter.com/HTIv9NS1iU

— Chad Chronister (@ChadChronister) February 15, 2023

The video came amid a polarizing discourse about “gym creeps”

We should note that this video broke after various women took to the internet to “gym sneak” videos – these are clips highlighting men who are said to be watching them while they work out.

Faced with these videos, many men — including content creator Joey Swoll — went online to take a stand against the narrative.

Women are being harassed in gyms and it needs to stop, but you’re not one of them. A friendly gesture or a look doesn’t make you a victim. pic.twitter.com/34g9265KXb

— Joey Swoll (@TheJoeySwoll) January 21, 2023

I think we all agree @Jessicafrndz changed the world. #gym #gymnastic girl #wild #gym pic.twitter.com/q6qa1feKzt

— Frank Diaz (@TheFrankDiaz) February 15, 2023

You never know a person’s story or what they’re going through. Stop doing that. Be friendly. pic.twitter.com/udkDQ1kZ8l

— Joey Swoll (@TheJoeySwoll) February 3, 2023

#gym pic.twitter.com/93vMJwyVJQ

— Simon (@Honest_Sy1) February 15, 2023

As a result, people are urging past critics to take note of the Tampa situation, as it highlights the very situation many women in the gym fear.

where is joey swoll’s guy now? Oh ok

— (zee-or-uh)🍒 (@stillnotziora) February 16, 2023

and that’s why the collective mass hysteria about women being uncomfortable around men in the gym is bullshit.

Men’s fear of being labeled a creep is not synonymous with our fear of sexual violence.

— bri (@spicedrumcake) February 16, 2023

Now suddenly everyone thinks that’s what’s happening when you bothered women on Tiktok 2 weeks ago because they were fed up with men in the gym

— chi | something ia because of exams 🫶🏾 (@heavxensentchi) February 16, 2023

How do you assess the overall situation?