A 24-year-old woman in Tampa, Florida, was recently attacked at the gym and this troublesome challenge was caught on camera.
She made her attacker give up: ‘Keep fighting’
The challenge started back on January 22nd and it came as Nashali Alma was finishing a workout at the gym in her apartment complex.
While exercising in the empty facility, a man approached the door and tried to get in. Nashali then kept opening the door, as she had seen him around the gym before, ABC Action News report.
“Usually, people forget keycards and keychains. We let them in, so I let the man in. I didn’t think twice about letting him in. I was practicing at the time.”
However, after she returned to the set, this man approached and tried to grab Nashali. In response, she tried to run away, and—after he caught her—she fought back with all her might.
“After we struggled on the ground for a while, I went over and pulled his beard. I started twisting, twisting, twisting. I can see from his face that it really hurts.”
Nashali was noted that she was unable to contact law enforcement during the struggle, although she was able to tire him out thanks to her relentless efforts. As a result, he eventually gave up.
“I want to tell every woman to always fight, never give up. As long as you fight back, show him that you are strong and won’t give up, I believe you can escape.”
A woman shares her experience after fending off a man who assaulted her in an apartment complex’s gym.
Nashali Alma wants to speak out about her experience to encourage other women who have had a similar incident 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 “go out.”
However, he was chased away by the woman’s partner. When arrested, Xavier is said to have admitted to wanting to have sex with both women he knew.
𝘼𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙: Xavier Thomas-Jones, 25, faces charges of sexual assault, kidnapping and unlawful detention. pic.twitter.com/HTIv9NS1iU
– Chad Chronister (@ChadChronister) February 15, 2023
Video emerges amid polarizing discussion about ‘gym creeps’
We should note that this video started going viral after many women took to the internet to share “gym creeps” videos — clips highlighting men who allegedly watched them during their workouts. .
In the wake of these videos, many men — including content creator Joey Swoll — took to the internet to refute the story.
Women are harassed in the gym and it needs to stop, but you’re not one of them. An act of kindness or a glance doesn’t make you a victim. pic.twitter.com/34g9265KXb
– Joey Swoll (@TheJoeySwoll) January 21, 2023
I think we can all agree @Jessicafrndz change the world. #gym #gymgirls #wild #gymcreep pic.twitter.com/q6qa1feKzt
– Frank Diaz (@TheFrankDiaz) February 15, 2023
You never know someone’s story or what they’re going through. Stop this. Kind. pic.twitter.com/udkDQ1kZ8l
– Joey Swoll (@TheJoeySwoll) February 3, 2023
#gymcreep pic.twitter.com/93vMJwyVJQ
— Simon (@Honest_Sy1) February 15, 2023
As a result, people are calling on former detractors to take note of the situation in Tampa, as it highlights the exact situation many women in the gym fear.
Where is that swollen joey guy now? oh okay https://t.co/V4EkWpjFxJ
– (zee-or-uh)🍒 (@stillnotziora) February 16, 2023
and this is why the collective hysteria about women feeling uncomfortable around men at the gym is bullshit.
Men’s fear of being called scary is not equal to our fear of sexual violence. https://t.co/uKjgRv7txc
– bri (@spicedrumcake) February 16, 2023
now suddenly everyone finally believes this is happening when 2 weeks ago you guys harassed women on tiktok for getting bored with men at the gym https://t.co/3lC57CQo0d
— chi | slightly ia because of the exam (@heavxensentchi) February 16, 2023
What do you think about the overall situation?
