I got into kickboxing when my girl Tanya was a year and a half. Partly because I worried that I lacked the skills to save her when danger strikes, and partly because then I could get an hour-long break from her demands three times a week!!
I still remember feeling pretty timid and small walking into the mean looking Titan Fitness which was lovable for its high energy and general mess and chaos. I can also clearly recall the shock I felt when I got punched and kicked for the first time, and the pride from learning how to master (somewhat!) the moves and survive the classes.
Little did I know that I was preparing myself for the toughest battle so far in my life. It came silently one morning, when I woke up paralysed from some rare illness called Guillian Barre. All the training of my body and mind suddenly had a new meaning, because it helped my fight this terrifying illness. Thanks to my training, I could calm my mind when I was scared or uncomfortable, and push myself into rehab when I felt discouraged.
The training paid off when I recovered within 20 days enough to return home, and within a month after that to resume my job which required 3 hours of commute.
That summer I returned to Titan Fitness against all predictions that I couldn't, with a renewed sense of love and respect for the sport.
To all you sporting enthusiasts, I urge you to look into this extreme form of exercise, which is not violent as it appears. It is a way to strenghten your body and mind to tap into potentials you never knew you had. A training session is like a vacation (a difficult one!), because for the hour you cannot have any other worries. All your mind and body is totally focussed at what you are doing.
I hope to get Tanya into the sport as soon as she is old enough, and learn to "Absorb what is useful" (Bruce Lee).
I buy my MMA gear at EliteMMA.com
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