Things generally come pretty easily to me. I worked hard enough to get it done, about 80%, but never felt what it feels like to give something 100%. In fact, I have a pattern of being highly motivated for a very short period of time. If I want to get in shape for an upcoming wedding I will eat strictly and exercise intensely until the week before the wedding and then I'd blow it....every single time. Can you relate? It's as if I was afraid to give something 100% ...until training for Haymakers for Hope at Fitness Advantage.
When I started my boxing training, the motivation was very personal. I just wanted to do something exciting and new but I secretly worried that I wouldn't be able to maintain my level of commitment for 4 whole months until the charity fight.
It wasn't until about half way through training that I realized that those fun people in the gym with me every day...my trainer, gym owner, fellow Haymakers, and general gym friends, were actually part of a team...and I was on it!
It was my first exhibition when I really felt I wasn't alone. I saw how all the trainers chatted before the bouts. "Who's your fighter?" they asked each other. They watched how each other's fighters performed. I watched how my gym owner told her longtime trainer that she had a fighter tonight. My performance reflected on my trainer and my gym.
Every time I sparred with my fellow Haymakers and they beat me, they were not separating themselves from me. They were pushing me past my 80%.
I knew they deserved more than my usual effort and I wanted to give it to them. My trainer and Fitness Advantage both have a winning Haymakers record (6-0 in 2013) and I wasn't about to be the one to ruin that. I had people depending on me. This time I didn't have the option of "blowing it" at the end. I gave it all that I had for the team.
The night of the event my 2 team mates won their fights and I was the only one left to go. I knew losing was really not an option. We needed to celebrate as a team. If one of us lost it would feel as if we all had lost.
There were moments during my fight that I remembered thinking (in a split second) that I was too tired to go on (this was me wanting to blow it as usual), and I'm certain that if I weren't part of a team I would have given in, convincing myself that I worked hard, raised a lot of money, gave a good fight and I'd still be able to hold my head high...but this time, this was not enough. I had a whole gym counting on me and I was not going to let them down. I was forced to dig deeper than I wanted to, and find a way... and I did! The victory did not feel like luck, or that I had scraped by with my usual amount of effort. I claimed that win knowing with all my heart that I did everything in my power to earn it, both in training and in the fight. I finished strong and did not quit, even when I wanted to.
I'll never, ever, ever forget the feeling of being pushed to 100% and winning for the team. It was an amazing gift. This picture captures it to perfection. Look at my face. I'm as happy as I can be, and I'm looking right at my team because I did it for them and they made it possible.
I am so thankful to have had a team that could push me to this new height, where there are no regrets. I now have this experience under my belt that I can recreate and more importantly share to help others get there.
As we approach the new year I reflect on last year at this time. I had no idea in 2013 I was going to join the Haymakers' and Fitness Advantage families and become a boxer. I had no idea I was going to make such important friends, how much I was going to learn about myself, and how much "living" I was going to do. I am endlessly grateful I found the courage to step out of my comfort zone. It has changed who I am, and I believe the gift was given to me to encourage others to find something that scares and excites them...to feel what 100% is like.
In 2014 I encourage you to seek out or create your own opportunity, find your own team...or join ours! Come learn how to box. It's an amazing and fun workout. Join our Muckfest team! We'll be training together for 10 weeks and will compete together in April in this fun obstacle course event. Make a fitness commitment to yourself and let our trainers push you to your 100% in personal training sessions. Join friends in our boot camp classes. There is something at Fitness Advantage for everyone!
Happy New Year! Make it one of your best ever!
Written by Amy Fielding
http://lipstickonmygloves.blogspot.com
Fielding vs Lang