When was the last time you did something for the first time? For me it was last night. Not only did I step into a boxing ring to fight my very first match but I also captured the WIN. I originally said this fight would be a “one and done” but now that it’s done…I want to fight again! Like who am I right now? Maybe I’m still on a boxer’s high or maybe all my adrenaline hasn’t quite left my body. Who knows but I’m going to ride this high for as long as I can.
You’re probably wondering why on earth would I ever want to get into a boxing ring just so I can get punched in the face. Maybe 6 or 7 years ago it was just an idea that me and my boxing partner in crime Helene had discussed after class. Maybe we should fight? I attended boxing classes and had been to watch several club fights and tournaments. I also got to work alongside the National level fighters at tournaments across Canada. I was providing Massage Therapy treatments for Team Ontario athletes. Every time I left a boxing event I always said “Oh my God I want to do this” but I say a lot of of things in life and back then I wasn’t ready.
It wasn’t until last November 2018 when I decided it was time to actually…really for real…step into the ring and fight. My very good friend Katie had competed in her first fight and was a total champ. Watching her fight got me so hype and all I wanted was to get back into boxing ASAP. I then saw an advertisement on social media about a fight in March 2019. It was right then and there I said “I’m doing this fight”. Once I get my mind set upon something nothing stops me from achieving that goal. This was my fight it was a perfect event for me. I would be turning 40 years old in March…so this event was my “Birthday Bucket List Beat Down” that’s what I called it from the get go.
After ironing out a few minor details it was decided that I would fight in this event. To make things even better Helene was also going to fight as well. So something that was just a spoken idea was now manifesting. It was manifesting hard and fast. In order for me to achieve my goal I needed to be trained by the best.
I honestly couldn’t be happier with my coaches. Even though Kevin my boxing coach and Drew my strength & conditioning coach did not know each other they were always aligned to what they were teaching me. Both coaches had a way of keeping me calm, yet finding a way to push me beyond my limits when I thought I wasn’t capable. I am so grateful to not only have one, but two sensational coaches. If it weren’t for them and their guidance I probably would have quit long before I even started. So big shout out to both of my coaches Kevin and Drew for helping me to achieve this very special birthday milestone goal.
I wouldn’t say my boxing journey was walk in the park. It definitely wasn’t all sunshine, rainbows and lollipops. There were some days where I was depleted and completely destroyed. Boxing is not just about the physical training it’s about mental mindset and going through the emotions. I felt anger like serious rage and frustration. Whereas Helene felt emotional suffering. She often cried after training sessions and had feelings of unworthiness. I had fits rage, frustration, jealousy and disappointment. After one training session I left so pissed off that I went straight to the gym. I ran hard sprints just to sweat out the angry emotion. So everyone is different and how they experience training camp. I wouldn’t trade it in for anything in the world. I am happy with how training went. Even with all the emotional release.
Throughout the training I found myself doing more frequent meditations and visualizations. I wanted to be in the right mindset. I didn’t want anger to take over me. I started meditating daily especially after the outburst of anger episode. I made myself a mantra that I recited everyday. I would say it in the mirror looking at my myself so I could believe it. I would say it while driving. I would say it at work. I would say it before I went to bed. I would say this mantra before all sparring sessions. This is the mantra I would say to myself…
I am FEARLESS
I am UNSTOPPABLE
I am a CHAMPION
Everything is going to work out in my favour because I am a FIGHTER!
Ek Ong Kar Sat Gur Prasad Sat Gur Prasad Ek Ong Kar
The last phrase is something that I read in a book that signifies whatever you’re thinking while listening or singing this mantra will manifest in your life. I couldn’t always remember the bottom mantra because it was so long and difficult. But I recited the top mantra daily. Practice makes perfect.
Practice is right. Let’s talk about sparring. I was very fortunate to be able to spar with a multitude of women and at all levels. There were women who were beginners all the way up to women who fought at the national level. Preparing for my very first sparring session was very methodical. I watched a lot of YouTube videos on sparring, visualization and thinking like a fighter. I practiced meditations to help me get in right mindset to help me stay calm and relaxed. I practiced shadowboxing everyday. In training I tried to stay focused on what I needed to work on. I trained with intensity and determination.
Finally when my first sparring session happened, I was very zen and was ready for the experience. I knew good or bad everything I needed to learn would be from sparring. I had to remember to not make judgements about myself. I made sure to listen to my coach. Some things I had to keep in mind were keeping my eyes on my opponent. Keeping my breath under control and remembering to defend after throwing punches. It was a lot to think about! Coach Kevin would often say to me during sparring sessions “You need to settle down”. Some sparring sessions were definitely a great learning experiences and hard work. But as long as I could take something away after each session either technical or tactical it was necessary training.
I was determined to not only win but to put in the work to make it happen. I went from doing boxing classes maybe once every 2 weeks to training boxing 5-6 days a week, 2 days of strength & conditioning and 3-4 days of running sprints. Being in tip top physical condition consisted of being on top of self care for injury prevention. I went for regular massage therapy treatments, chiropractor adjustments and acupuncture. I also had regular Epsom salt baths. I used a heating pad or applied ice packs for sore muscles and joints. For all the abuse I was inflicting on my body I made sure to balance out pain with recovery.
Fast forward to fight night. I cannot explain in words how I felt during the whole process from start to finish. All I know it’s like nothing I’ve ever done before. To say I trained hard for this fight and I put in the work is truly an understatement. Nothing can prepare you for how you feel for when you actually step into the ring. This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. To come out on top and being victorious is a moment I will never forget. To have so many friends and family supporting me and cheering me on was a tremendous feeling. To hear my name being chanting through the entire venue gave me energy of love and strength. I could have not asked for a better way to celebrate my birthday. This truly was an incredible experience that I will cherish forever in my heart. Thank You to my coaches, friends, family and anyone who supported me and believed in me. Happy early Birthday to me and making this day go down for one of the best moments in my life.
The Champ is here.
Memoirs of an Emotional Fish 