100%

Things generally come pretty easily to me.  I work 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.  It's as if I was afraid to give something 100% ...until Haymakers for Hope.

When I started training for the Haymakers for Hope's Belles of the Brawl event, the motivation was very personal.  I just wanted to do something exciting and new.  I loved the idea that it was for charity, but really, it was all about me.  I secretly worried that I'd be able to maintain my level of commitment for 4 whole months.

It wasn't until about half way through training that I realized that those 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 in the ring 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 gym.  The way they wrapped my hands, warmed me up, coached me between rounds...they were working too.  They weren't just there to watch me.

Every time I sparred with my fellow Haymakers, Anne and Katie, and they beat me up, 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.  When my trainer, Sione, said to us in a joking manner  "Don't come back to the corner if you lose." I believed him.  He pushed me. He and my gym both have a winning Haymakers record 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, even to the point of eating beef every day because Sione told me to, when I had been a vegetarian for the past 4 years!  

The night of the event my 2 team mates, Anne and Katie, 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.

My opponent had been boxing for a lot longer than I had, and she knew what she was doing.  She gave me a battle.  There were moments during the 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 team 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.

When I watch the video I see a boxer (Andrea) and a fighter (me).  I don't keep my hands up.  I don't bob and weave.  I got admonished twice for pushing.  I throw the most ridiculous hooks you've ever seen.  I feel a little badly that I don't showcase the skills my trainer has taught me, but I'm proud that I do leave it all in the ring.  Any time she hits me I come back stronger.   It was truly will over skill and I'll never, ever, ever forget the feeling.  It was an amazing gift.  This picture captures it to perfection.  Look at my face.  I'm the most surprised person in the room, 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.

If my boxing journey inspires you, you may apply here to fight cancer in the next Boston Haymakers for Hope event.  If boxing is not your thing, please seek out or create your own opportunity, find your own team!  You won't regret it!

Happy New Year!   Make it one of your best ever!

Fight Night - Behind the Scenes

All the hard work was over.  We had done everything possible to prepare in the past 4 months. It was now show time.  

I woke up and had a very normal morning...making breakfasts and lunches, packing snacks, walking the kids to the bus and then I started packing my boxing and overnight bags.  

As I drove John to my Mom's house in JP, I stopped to pick up some diapers, and went to the Dominican restaurant to get my old favorite for lunch...arroz con pollo, frijoles negros y platanos maduros.  

I saw my family from Florida for the first time since they arrived on Wednesday.  My Aunts Kathy and Maureen and Uncles Jet and Chip, along with 2nd cousin Kael Michael, came all the way up to see my fight. I can't adequately express how much it means to me that they came.  It shows that they understand how important this was to me, and how important I am to them.  I feel very loved and blessed to have a family like this.  

My Mom drove me to Forest Hills with all my bags and I took the Orange Line for the first time in quite a while.  It still felt like home.  It was the best way to get to the fight so that we'd only have one car in town, but it turned out to be much more significant for me.  It brought me mentally back to my roots and to a state of calm, strength and pride.  It started the whole "this is your life" feel of the evening to come.  

For the weeks leading up to the fight I was confused and concerned why I wasn't nervous, and it was the same this day.  I had no nerves or butterflies.  It was only when I checked into the hotel room alone and I started thinking about my kids and how proud they are of me (look at the belt they presented me with the night before!) that I started to choke up a bit.  I kept wanting to cry but I wouldn't let it out.  Luckily Dave surprised me at the hotel and distracted me with some food and a beautiful letter.  

It was quickly time to meet at The Royale.  I met my girls, Katie and Annie, in the lobby and we walked over together and met up with Kathy, the owner of Fitness Advantage.  The Royale looked fantastic in pink!

 

We checked in, got our badges and found the very tiny green room, packed with the 17 other fighters, their trainers and lots of gear.  

I was 124 lbs the day before so Kathy told me to weigh in in my street clothes just to be sure I made it to 126 and I actually made 127 so that was a relief.  All of the Belles made weight so the Haymakers were very happy.  I also got the okay from the doctor after a quick check of my eyes, heart, and abdomen.  This was another relief because I have an umbilical hernia that I was afraid they'd find.  I'm getting surgery to repair it this week.  I signed my official USA Boxing passbook and changed into my fight clothes.  

I was going to be in the blue corner, which meant that I was wearing a white shirt and black trunks.  

I don't know why I assumed the shirt would be black (maybe because the one I tried on at Lululemon was black) so I only had a black sports bra with me.  Oh well.  That was the least of the wardrobe problems. We laughed for a long time about how ridiculous the shorts were. It was great comic relief.  There is nothing cute about boxing shorts, especially when the rule is that your shirt must be tucked into them! 

We got over the outfit, Sione showed up, and started wrapping us up.  I didn't realize that not only would we not be using our usual hand wraps but we wouldn't even be using our own gloves.  Sione carefully wrapped each of us in gauze and tape and we had to have them checked before we were issued our 10oz gloves...lighter than we were used to.  

The doors opened at 6:30 and people started arriving.  Some of the first were my Mother-in-law and Dave's Aunts and Cousin.  I was so happy to see them.  

Soon after I saw Emily and her Dad, Brendan.  Emily is the little girl who lost her Mother to breast cancer. She is such inspiration to me and I have dedicated my fight to her.  She was here to participate in the night as a "ring girl", announcing the round numbers.  She was an incredible reminder of what the night was really about.  I was so happy that she could be there and she did a great job! 

The night was about to begin.  Annie "Cassius" Clay was warming up with Sione.  Katie and I watched from the balcony.  It was finally time for fight 2.  Annie was up.  Annie has only been boxing for 2 months and her opponent is the wife of the owner of Nonantum Boxing Club.  She's been boxing for years.  What we knew, that she didn't, was how hard Annie has been training and how tough she is...trust me...we knew all too well how unyielding she is in the ring.  We were so excited for Annie's fight because we knew it would surprise everyone how relentless she is, and knew for sure that it would be a great match.  We were right.  As Annie fought her way to victory Katie and I were focused, intense and emotionally right there in the ring with her, throwing punches and cheers from the balcony. One down.  Two more to go.  

Soon it was time for Katie "Braveheart" Sullivan and I to start warming up.  We went downstairs into the kitchen and hit the pads with Sione, Kathy and Dan.  Now it was Katie's turn (fight 7).  Even though I should have been warming up I could not miss Katie's fight.  Katie was fighting my old opponent and I knew Katie would win.  I just didn't know how quickly.  Katie dominated and the fight was ended in 1 minute and 55 seconds! The only one round fight of the night!  Katie's first opponent quit the competition after sparring Katie in August.  She's like the Terminator.  The crowd went wild!  I was so happy for Katie and just as happy for Sione because he's spent the past 4 months telling us he wanted first round knock outs and he actually got one!  

Now the pressure was really on for me.  I had to win for the team.  We needed a clean sweep.  My pink sledgehammer slamming entrance video played and I followed Sione and Kathy into the ring for fight number 9.  As the Seminole Warchant played I soaked in the moment, waving to family, friends and my gym gathered in the corner.  Sione kept telling me to focus but I was all Hollywood, loving the crowd.  

My posse.

I love this shot.  I'd call it Boxing Ballerina.  I think the way my hair is reminds me of my dancing days.  I had the same feeling getting on stage for both boxing and ballet.  I love the lights and the crowd, confident in my abilities and training.

I had never met or sparred my opponent, Andrea, before so I didn't know what to expect.  I just knew that Dave Myerson of Haymakers said that it would be a "blood bath".  

Andrea was a great match for me.  We both like to just stand in the middle of the ring and throw punches and that is what we did.  Back and forth all three rounds.  

Look at this reach advantage!  If I were smarter I wouldn't have let her get near me.  Of course, look where my right hand is...where I always leave it.  Down!  Ugh.

There was never a moment of panic like there can be sometimes.  It was all very smooth.  I hit her, she hit me and I never felt a thing except exhaustion.  Until you do this you will never understand how tiring 2 minutes can be.  

The rounds went by fairly quickly since we had always trained for longer than 2 minutes, but the minute rest between each round felt like an eternity. Sione never gave us a minute rest between rounds so it felt very long.  I don't remember much of what he said to me in between...something about throwing a hook.  I knew that the fight was very close.  I couldn't tell who would win and we knew I needed to take round 3 to have a chance.  I remember feeling tired but determined, energized by the wild "Amy" and "JP" chants from the crowd and then I faintly heard Sione yell "Do it for Little John John!" and it gave me the fire I needed to just keep throwing punches. 

I've only seen a very blurry video so far and in it I feel badly that I am not doing many of the great things that Sione has taught me. I'm not really following the game plan, but I threw punches.  A lot of them.  I didn't ever connect my 2 like I needed to.  My secret weapon is my power.  Apparently I "hit like a dude".  She was excellent at keeping her hands up and I never got in a clean shot.  Nevertheless, we both gave it everything we had and it was such a great battle that we couldn't help but to hug at the end.  

We still didn't know who would be the winner.  We went and thanked each other's corners, checked in at ours, and met in the middle for the decision.  

I had my fingers crossed.  They announced the scores (30-27, 30-26, 30-27 ).  It was a unanimous decision for the BLUE corner!!!!   I won!!!  

Wow.  What a feeling!  As you can see in the picture, I looked right at Sione and Kathy.  It was for them - to thank them for all of the dedication and time they have given me.  I wanted it for Fitness Advantage. I remember pointing to my gym crowd, knowing that it was their victory too.  I wanted it for my kids and husband who rode this ride with me to the very end and deserved a happy ending.  I wanted it for myself too.  The perfect ending to a really amazing journey. As Sione told us...we will have this experience in our back pockets forever.  It has changed who we are. We have endured what most people have never attempted. We have trained like professional athletes for 4 straight months, all while juggling kids, husbands, jobs, fundraising, housework, family, injuries, obstacles, life.  We have kept going when we didn't want to, and we didn't have to. Some girls did quit, but we didn't.  We are the Belles of the Brawl!  

I'm glad it was so hard - the training and the fight.  It made the victory so much sweeter.  To top off the whole thing Andrea and I won "fight of the night"!  I guess we get a professional picture from our fight blown up as a prize.  Completely amazing ending to this fairy tale but the night was not over yet!

The celebration was just beginning.  I walked out of the ring, got checked quickly by the doctor and grabbed my passbook with a "W" inscribed in it, right into the crowd and didn't find my way back to my corner or green room.  Dave met me with a glass of wine and I hugged friend after friend (as sweaty and gross as I was), thanking them for supporting me.  (The "JP" chants were AMAZING!!!)  I had friends there from all parts of my life...early childhood, high school, college, all of my bridesmaids, half the town of Dover, Dave's friends, family from near and far.  This night could never be recreated.  

We took the party to the W hotel in our robes given to us by the ladies of Dover! 

Cheers to never punching each other in the face again! 

Look who else was there!  Seth Myers! 

Some Boston Latin Academy kids.

The Lanni Girls.  Check out the shirts they made!  "You can take the girl out of JP but you can't take the JP out of the girl"...complete with bedazzles.  Are you kidding me?!?!   I love them.

One of my very best friends, Sheri! 

 Dave putting on my belt!

My love...who went above and beyond to make this an extra special experience for me. 

 I didn't sleep all night trying to remember every perfect detail.  It's been days and I'm still on a high.  

Did I mention that we raised $16,730 (and counting...donations are still coming in!) for breast cancer research and survivorship?!?  Our event raised over $130K (haven't gotten the final number yet).  

Amazing - all around.  I am so blessed to have been a part of this.  Thank you all for being a part of this.  I look forward to supporting you in your endeavors, and to see what's next for me.  Thank you from the deepest part of my heart.   

(I'll post my reflections on the whole experience separately.)  

2 days til fight

2 days til fight.

Here is a recent newspaper article about my team:  http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/topstories/x511635056/Dover-women-step-into-the-ring-for-Haymakers-for-Hope?zc_p=0

Here is a newstory on channel 5: http://www.wcvb.com/health/22-women-prepare-to-box-to-fight-cancer/-/9848730/22399950/-/11v77y9z/-/index.html

Nothing makes me feel more like a local celebrity though than football practice being moved from Thursday to Friday so that the coaches could come to my fight!  Now that's cool.  ;)

Training has not lightened up like Sione promised.  :)  That's okay, only one day of training left - 3 workouts tomorrow.  Right now I am giddy about training ending, but I know I'll miss it so much.

I feel great mentally and physically.  Emotionally I'm extremely calm.  Denial maybe!  I know it will set in on Thursday so I'm just enjoying this peace. It comes from knowing that I have done absolutely everything in my power to prepare.  I held back nothing.  I have the best trainer and team.  I'm just going to do what I've been trained to do and we'll see what happens.  I'll be proud no matter what...I mean, unless I get knocked out or something ridiculous!  That would be embarrassing.

My family from Florida comes tomorrow and sets everything in motion.  I'm starting to pack my fight bag and my post-fight bag.  I have run out of time and don't have the fabulous after party outfit that I've always imagined, but look what the amazing ladies of Dover have given me (and my team)!  I'm just going to rock this all night anyway...

Speaking of after-party...please join us for a celebratory drink (I'm celebrating win or lose) at the W hotel lounge.  Right next to Royale at 100 Stuart St.  If you can't find us call my cell: 617-818-1029.

I won't be able to see any of you until then because unfortunately my fight is next to last.  I'm fight number 10 of 11.  Almost the main event ;).   I expect that my crowd will be pretty rowdy by then.  I want to hear you all!  Start practicing your Tomahawk Chop!  I want it to look as good as this.  ;)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlgfs7bIhys

Here is the fight card.  Doors open at 6:30. First fight starts at 7:30 and each fight will take approximately 15 minutes:  entrances, 3 two min rounds with a min break in between, announcing winner, etc...

Fight 1	Karen Areyzaga
	Jess Gerber
Fight 2	Shannon Gargaro
	Annie Clay
Fight 3	Keryn Connolly
	Jess Smith
Fight 4	Margie Kelley
	Mary Rubenis
Fight 5	Felicia O'Brien
	Jackie Haidar
Fight 6	Tina Capello
	Nikki Chu
Fight 7	Katie Sullivan
	Kristen Mercier
Fight 8	Jaimee Steiner
	Becca Laders
Fight 9	Steph Mctighe
	Zoe Rich
Fight 10	Amy Fielding
	Andrea Lang
Fight 11	Leigh-Ann French
	Marisa Hoffman

Please pay extra attention to fights 2 and 7. They're my team mates... Annie and Katie.  Please cheer loudly for them.  They're going to kill it.  I love those girls.  

If you haven't gotten your tickets yet the online ticketing closes at 3:00 on Thursday.  After that you can get them at the door if there are any left.  The big man has warned us that there are very few left.  Also, I'm not sure we get fundraising credit for them at the door so please get yours here now!  

While you're there check out how much money we have raised to help knock out breast cancer...as of right now just about $14K!!!!!   The event total is over $100K!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the support.  This fundraising total exceeds my wildest expectations, and I am forever grateful.  It brings this experience to another level for me.  Thank you.  

See you at the fight!  XOXO

 - JP

2 weeks from tonight!

It's officially breast cancer awareness month!  I cannot believe it is October.  The date felt so far away for so long, but now the fight is in 14 days!  I am so proud to have already raised over $7,000 for breast cancer research.  I remember when I started and $3,000 seemed like so much.  I can't stop thanking you all for helping me knock out my fundraising goals.  I keep raising the bar because you keep pushing it.  It really feels like we're all one big team.   I am going to aim high and would love to raise $10,000! (That would make this the best midlife crisis ever!!!)   Please consider buying a ticket or donating if you haven't already. Every little bit helps!  No amount is too small.   Please donate here.

When I first began my training I just wanted to get into the ring and do something a little scary.  It was a very personal goal to grow.  As time progressed and I learned more, my goal was to make it a good fight for all of you who are coming to watch.  As more time progressed I decided that I REALLY wanted to win for me, my team, my gym and my trainer.  I never thought too much about the fundraising to be honest until you all got behind me.  I knew I'd meet my minimum but I didn't expect that I'd more than double it.  Now I feel like I've already done something great...without even stepping into the ring yet. No matter the outcome on the 17th I will be proud of our contribution toward breast cancer research, surviving the grueling training, facing fears, setting an example for my kids, and making life-long friends. The fight is only 6 minutes of my life and this process has been 4 blessed months.  But yes, I still do plan on winning.  ;)

I have very mixed emotions about this journey ending in 2 weeks.  Part of me is excited for the fight and can't wait to do it and have it behind me...to be able to wake up every day knowing that I don't have to go get punched in the face later and to have workouts be fun again and not a job.  Part of me understands that this special time will be over though and I will miss it dearly.  I will miss the energy that our fight brings to the gym, and my life, every day.  I will miss all of the support from family and friends, but I will be happy to have the time to see you all again.  It will surely be an interesting transition back to "normal".

I had a minor set-back in training last week and "ain't nobody got time for that" at this point.  It came at the worst possible time, but it's just one more thing that I will have overcome. I was so frustrated to have to take a few days off at crunch time.  The first two days were rough.  I wondered if I would be able to finish this journey, or do it at the level I can be proud of. I freaked out because I thought there was a possibility that the fight would not happen and I knew that would be devastating...for both me and my opponent.  I didn't want to let either of us down.  I was so frustrated.  I found myself remembering the Arnold Schwarzenegger quote from "Anonymous" and it fired me up enough to not feel bad for myself and to accept it and use it as fuel.  I feel nearly 100% now but what I noticed in my short time off is that an amazing calm washed over me.  Any nerves about fight night are gone.  This short break was indeed a gift. I think it also allowed me to gain the weight I need to!   Sione has this vegetarian girl eating beef every day!

Another gift in this incredible experience is that the little girl that I've dedicated my fight to, Emily, who lost her Mother to breast cancer, may be a part of the big night as a "ring kid".  I will be so happy to see her between rounds, and hope she enjoys this moment to shine for her bravery and strength.

That's about it for now.  I'm off to spar and practice what I was working on this morning.  The countdown is on!  Thanks for your support.

PS - Here is a great post from a former Haymakers' fighter.  It really lets you in on the experience!  Maybe one of you will be a future Haymaker!  I'd love that.
http://haymakersforhope.org/blog/how-to-become-a-boxer-in-8-not-so-easy-steps/

Anonymous.

Less than a month til fight!

Due to one belle dropping out and another breaking her wrist, they have had to change a few matches and I now have a new opponent (no longer the girl pictured with me above).  The good news is that I'll now be fighting a righty, and not a southpaw.  This makes training simpler.  But she is anonymous.  I don't know anything about her, and I won't spar her before the fight so it will all be a surprise. Come and see what happens!

I feel great.  Physically, I'm healthy and working hard.  Mentally, I'm ready.  Emotionally, I had no idea how intense the fundraising would be. Reading all of the names that the donations are honoring is humbling, and I'll do my best to honor them by giving this fight 100%.  You guys are making me soft though!  I'm supposed to be tough and the other day I started bawling at the bus stop because an anonymous donor gave a very generous $295 to my page to get me to exactly my goal of $5,000!!!   If that weren't enough to make me cry then here's the message that came with it...

"Strength does not come from winning.  Your struggles develop your strengths.  When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength."  

Are you kidding me?  I'm crying again writing this.  Anonymous, I can't send you a thank you note so I hope that you are reading and know how deeply your generous act of kindness touched me.  Your message dwells within me.  Thank you.  

I have received donations from strangers, people from my past who I haven't seen in years, and of course my very best friends and family who are always in my corner.  Because of you, we have raised nearly $6,000 so far to fight breast cancer.  Double my original goal!  I appreciate that you could donate many places for this cause, and it means so much to me that you have chosen to do it by supporting me as well. Now, if you could just start leaving much meaner messages for me it would be helpful.  Boxers don't cry at bus stops. Stop making me so soft.  :)  

38 days til fight

38 days until fight.   I've come a long way.  You do, indeed, get used to getting punched in the face (but there are still some that make you swear).  My black eye has finally gone away after a month (do I have some sort of healing problem or something?)  I've managed not to get another one.  That's no small victory. In fact, it is pretty huge because defense was very challenging for me at first.  Offense has always been my thing.  From the very first time my trainer saw me in the ring he said "You may live in Dover, but you're all JP in the ring."  (It's where I'm from.) That has stuck, and my boxing nickname is officially "JP".  It's because I can tend to look like a street fighter rather than a boxer.  We've had some good laughs about my gut instincts when I'm behind.  I lift my leg to kick and start throwing wild schoolyard punches...but hey, whatever it takes.  :)

So many emotions.  I am definitely on a roller coaster.  One week I'm on top, feeling unbeatable mentally and physically -  already starting to think about training for the Golden Gloves.  The next week, I can't wait for October 18th so I can curl up on my couch and never think about boxing again.  It's all mental. Juggling this training schedule/intensity and 4 kids with all of their activities, unending requests to eat and have clean laundry is sometimes overwhelming (and sometimes it doesn't all get done...smell my son's football practice pants.).  What I've noticed though is when I go through these short periods of feeling overwhelmed I come back stronger than before.  I come back with a renewed sense of energy and confidence.  I'm giddy in the gym again.  I think they're growing pains from being pushed outside of my comfort zone.

Through these down times our trainer, Sione, has carried me through...knowing exactly how hard to press, and when to give me a day off.  He's shown me my strengths and helped me define my style.  He's taught me about my weaknesses and is training them away.  I have surrendered this process to him and I trust him entirely.  I know first hand how talented he is as a trainer, and although he's humble and quiet about his boxing career, I have learned that he used to be in Holyfield's camp, training with him, preparing him for a big fight.  I know he knows what he's doing, so it's easy to trust him.  Training 3 women for a fight must emotionally exhaust him though, especially when there are tears (and there are sometimes), but he doesn't show it.  He's our big, bad, Tongan teddy bear...or Charlie, as he's been called in the gym, with us as his Angels.  :)  

Anyone in the world could do this if it were easy,  so I embrace some struggle.  The struggle also bonds my team together, and this makes us stronger.  Each of us fighters understands one another like no one else does, and this creates unity.  We support one another but fight each other as hard as we can so that fighting our opponents will then be easy.  We punch without mercy out of love, and want 3 victories (and a crazy after-party!).  There has been some blood and bruises but never hard feelings.

The other night I was lying in bed with a heating pad on my back and ice on my face (surrounded by laundry waiting to be folded), wondering why I was doing this, and I saw a few donations come into my inbox from friends and neighbors, and I smiled.  Just knowing that there are so many of you thinking of me and supporting me through this process energizes me to go back at it again tomorrow, and knowing that your support is helping to raise money for such a great cause puts it all into perspective.  This is a very special and unique time of my life that I'll never forget, and all of your support will be etched into my heart forever.  I'll always remember...my first donation, my family from Florida who are all coming up to cheer me on, my neighbor who brought my family dinner because she knew I didn't have time to prepare anything, my long, lost, old friends who I haven't seen in many years who cared enough to donate, my college room mate offering to make Team Amy t-shirts, a stranger who gave a very generous donation, another neighbor who met me at the bus stop with croissants so I'd have breakfast before training, a gym friend who courageously encouraged me to skip a workout to go to Mass to get my head straight, my whole town that seems to be arranging party buses to the fight to support Katie and me, a former Haymaker who works the night shift and comes right to training and then stays late to spar with us - on no sleep...just because others did it for him while he was training,  those of you who have followed my crazy blog and have reached out to me, those who have shared my story with your friends, everyone who has bought a ticket, my faithful mother-in-law who understands me and wholeheartedly supports me, my amazing Husband and kids...for loving this crazy girl.   I will not forget any of this.

  

Thank each and every one of you for carrying me through this, and helping me to reach my minimum fundraising goal.  This alone is a huge relief for me.  It takes away a lot of stress.  Of course, because it is for charity, I'd like to do my very best so I'm setting my personal goal to at least $5K.  If you haven't gotten your tickets yet (they will sell out) please come.  It will be a fun night.  My team went to the Royale this weekend to watch some pro boxing and to check out the venue and it is going to be great.  A real intimate, club setting.  And if you can't come, please consider a donation, large or small.   XOXO http://donate.haymakersforhope.org/fundraise?fcid=252741

 - "JP"

Media Day

Last Sunday all the Haymakers' Belles met at Nonantum Boxing Club in Newton for media and sparring day. It was the big day where we got to spar our actual opponent for two 2 minute rounds to get comfortable with each other and make sure it was a good match.   It was also the day where we filmed our entrance videos for fight night.

Our Haymakers FA Boxing team (Katie, Annie, Sione, Kathy and me) met and headed over together.  We had to go wearing dress clothes so we could take our "before" picture.  It was strange seeing each other in anything other than sweaty, stinky Lululemon.

When we arrived we took a few photos and quickly changed into our workout clothes and began warming up.  I had met some of the other Belles before so spent some time catching up and meeting new ones.  It is a bit of an awkward feeling when you're in a room filled with opponents...who are all working together for a common charity goal...who are all really good people...who you then have to go punch in the face.  Do you become friendly with your opponent?  Do you keep your distance so you can mentally fight her later?  Does she want to talk to you?   Is it okay to be friendly with two Belles who are fighting each other?  All of these things ran through my head, but ultimately decided that we were all part of the same team, experiencing very similar journeys, and there shouldn't be any reason for awkwardness.  After all, my FA Team and I punch each other in the face nearly every day and we are great friends.  In fact, training so hard together has bonded us very quickly and firmly.  I am so thankful to have this experience with them.

Katie (on the right in the above picture) is from my town and church, also has 4 kids, and works full-time at her own company.  She has been training with me since the beginning. She is so focused.  She is the type of person who doesn't do anything half way and sets high expectations for herself and meets them.  I admire her, love her humor that lightens the pressure, and am so proud of her.  When I am feeling overwhelmed she gets it, and that is often all I need...someone who really understands what I'm going through.

Annie (in middle in orange above) is a trainer at Fitness Advantage.  About a week and a half before media day she got a call asking if she would like to jump into Haymakers (1/2 way through training) to replace a fighter who was injured or dropped out.  It was funny because literally the night before we were running and we asked her if she would consider doing it and her answer was "probably someday".  She didn't hesitate when she was asked, and completely threw herself into training, as she is not a boxer.  I have never seen anyone work so hard and improve so much in a week and a half.  She's truly amazing and I can't wait to see how good she is going to be in October.  She's also a Mom and funny enough...we share the exact same birthday!   She never, ever stops smiling and her positive attitude is infectious.  She keeps me going even when I am exhausted.

Both of these ladies are such a blessing, and they'll always be very special to me.  We have formed a solid team and we stood strong together on media/sparring day watching as each one of us faced our opponents and giggling as we posed for pictures.

The three of us were lucky enough to spar first, getting it out of the way.  Katie began, followed by Annie and then me.  I was calm and confident in the ring.  We all did very well. Now we know a little something about our opponents and our trainer, Sione, knows a lot about them.  He's able to use this information to tailor our training to our specific opponents.  This is huge.  One enormous thing we learned about my opponent is that she is a lefty, a southpaw.  This changes some things for me.

After sparring we transformed into stars.  We were posing for still pictures, doing interviews, and taping all sorts of segments for our entrance video...complete with smoke machines, people spritzing us with water, fans blowing our hair, and sledgehammers.  Yes, pink sledgehammers.  You'll just have to come to the fight in order to see it!  (BTW...tickets are selling fast.  Don't miss out.  Get yours here:  http://donate.haymakersforhope.org/fundraise?fcid=252741)

In my video I dedicated my fight to 3 people...my friend Denise, a Mom of 4 young children, who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.  She wasn't given very much hope but has won the fight!  When I am overwhelmed or tired all I have to do is image the fight she fought and it inspires me.

I also dedicate my fight to a beautiful little girl named Emily, whose Mother lost her battle to breast cancer.  I see her every week and wish I could change fate for her.  I am inspired by her power to overcome such a great loss, and her incredibly strong father who is raising her alone, and doing it so very well.

Finally, to Dave's family in memory of "Jammy" who lost her very long fight to breast and other cancers.  She battled cancer over and over again and smiled and laughed through it all, truly making each day with her family count.  A lesson to keep close to my heart.

Sadly, I could dedicate my fight to so many more friends who have or are battling breast (and other) cancer. If I weren't so shy to speak on film I would have kept going.  :)   You are all in my heart as I fundraise for this very important cause. Thank you to all of my supporters!

So media/sparring day was a success.  (I can't wait to see the video.) It was more comfortable sparring then posing and filming.  It felt silly and we laughed a lot, but I also took moments to absorb the fun of it because after these 4 months are over I go back to laundry, dishes and carpool...or do I? ...

1st Exhibition

I had my first exhibition match on Saturday night, August 3rd.  This was not a sanctioned fight, but an event where fighters who are in training for a match can come in front of a small crowd and see what they've got.

Let me set the scene...it was hosted by Boston Boxing in Brighton - the gym that trained one of my trainers, Kathy McLean.  When you picture a boxing gym in your head,  Boston Boxing is it.  It is big and tough, with a huge ring in the middle that looks like it has seen its share of some really great fights.

There was a cash bar, live music, babies, women dolled up in sequins, some really tough looking guys, political signs, fighters and their trainers.  I felt like I was in a Dennis Lehane novel and sh!t could go down any minute.  If either Marky Mark or Whitey took a front row seat, I wouldn't have blinked an eye. It was just perfect.  Absolutely perfect - everything you'd want your first fight to be.  It was...Boston Strong.


I got there with my trainers, Kathy and Sione and found out that I'd be the first fight and that I'd be up against another Haymakers fighter (not my opponent in October).  I met her and chatted for a few minutes. She was young, beautiful, and very, very sweet....so sweet that I thought there was no way she'd have any fight in her.  I was confident even though she was much taller than I am and outweighed me as well. I was strangely very calm and not nervous about the crowd.  I think my dancing background - being onstage- helps me here.  My Husband, Dave, and my good friend, Tom, were there to watch and I was excited about that.

Finally, after the band played a set, they announced our fight and we got into the ring.  She came out strong, which surprised me.  (Lesson #1 from the night:  never underestimate your opponent, which I should have already known.)  The crowd and noise faded away from me.  All I was focused on was her, and the voices of our trainers.  It felt just like sparring night back at Fitness Advantage (where I recently got my first black eye and fat lip).  I was mentally a little down on myself after round 1 because she was coming harder than I expected her to and I wanted to make Sione and Kathy proud. Looking back at the video I did better than I felt I did at the time.  Sione tells me this is normal.  I guess whenever you're actively getting punched it doesn't feel like things are going well.  :) It turns out I was throwing tons of punches myself.  I just don't remember doing it.  

In round 2 she got a hold of me for a little bit and I couldn't get out of it.  I thought for a moment that she was actually going to knock me out.  I was dizzy.  (In addition to getting punched like crazy, I hadn't eaten breakfast or dinner so lesson #2 of the night is to eat.)  Round 3 is a bit of a blur for me now but videos show that it went pretty well.  After only a month of training I'm not a technical masterpiece but I had a couple of crowd pleasing moments, some power, and a lot of fight in me.  I wasn't tired.  We've been training for longer and more rounds than the fight actually is, so 3 two minute rounds was easy physically but was mentally draining. They don't score these exhibitions so I don't know who won, but the experience of putting my first fight behind me was the goal.  I'll be so much more prepared for October.  


It was very fun to go back to my corner after each round and get the game plan and spit bucket from Sione and Kathy.  I felt like a champ.  :)   I love them even more than I did before because I saw how much they are investing in me, and how I reflect on them.  We are a team even though I'm in that ring alone.

The whole Haymakers family is a team as well.  We are all working toward one common goal...to knock out cancer by funding research.  They have already raised over $1 million.  They are making a difference.  The donations from our all-women's Belles of the Brawl event in October will directly benefit breast cancer research at Dana Farber.  Please consider a donation.  I have committed to raising at least $3,000, and I need your help.  Any amount is very much appreciated!

http://donate.haymakersforhope.org/fundraise?fcid=252741