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!
