The Boxing Boost

How Long Have I Been Doing Martial Arts For?

I started last year but didn’t go consistently due to finances.

Now I’ve been at it relatively consistently.

How many times per week?

Nothing crazy 1 or 2/3 times per week.

And even then!

It’s had a huge difference to me in many ways.

Bond Building Similar To Dancing 🫂

Nothing builds a stronger bond between two people like padwork does.

Performing a set routine on pads is similar to dancing with someone

What do I mean by set routine?

I mean a specific combination over & over again.

E.g. jab, cross, hook, roll, hook, cross etc

And how is it similar to dancing? 💃

Because they both build chemistry between the two people.

They need to be on the same wavelength to perform the dance routine or the pad routine.

And getting to that wavelength builds chemistry.

I don’t have the bravado to start dance school.

And so boxing padwork is perfect + plus more suitable for me for the time being.

Intensity 📶

Different gyms tend to have very different intensities with their classes.

I’ve been to quite a few.

Some have told us to go easy.

Some have literally got someone to punch us all in the abs with force.

So it really does depend on the leader of the class!

Ideally of course we want the intensity to feel moderately unbearable.

This is what will push our mind past its own perceived limits.

And that is invaluable.

Gives you so much self-confidence & belief.

If you can push through a super challenging martial arts session-

You can make it through your hard times!

Mental Sharpness 🗣️

How do I stay focused?

Everyone wonders.

Increase your focus.

A way to increase your focus?

Martial Arts!!

It’s not a good idea to lose focus during a martial arts session.

Especially not during sparring or even during challenging pad work.

In this way

Martial arts build up your ability to stay focused & switched on for long periods of time.

Sparring 🥊

A boxing coach I met had this phrase -

When you go swimming you expect to get wet.

And when you go boxing you expect to get hurt.

That kinda stuck with me.

The nature of boxing & martial arts is to experience a lil bit of discomfort.

Again as cheesy as it sounds that discomfort does genuinely grow our minds.

Sparring is almost always a step out of your comfort zone.

Especially if it’s with a better opponent.

And the more often you spar (within reason) the more you live out your comfort zone.

The more you live beyond your edge!

Heavy sparring is a test of character & heart.

The more you heavy spar the more character & heart you’ll develop.

Gotta fight against that thought in your mind telling you to ease off the gas during the spar.

Mental Health Boost 🧠

➵ Release your frustrations on the bag

➵ Release them on the shadows (shadowboxing)

➵ Even just release them on your pillowcases on your bed.

Anything will do!

It’s so important to have an outlet for your frustration.

What happens otherwise?

You may release your (subconscious) resentment onto your loved ones, your family and those you interact with day-to-day.

Martial arts provides such a great avenue to release frustration.

It explains why all the super dodgy areas in your city (filled with frustrated people) are loaded with boxing gyms.

(or at least they should be)

Right, hope you enjoyed this e-mail.

If you found value in this reply back with the word “Boxing” and let me know what you found valuable about it

Love

Jay.