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"
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