📷: Nspired Brands
📍: Memphis Fitness Kickboxing
You ever climb a flight of stairs and find yourself breathing hard? I mean embarrassingly HARD? Happens each time I take the stairs with co-workers (which is everyday). So I decided it was time to rev up some cardio. I’ve always been interested in boxing and admired the spirit of the fighter, the mindset it takes to be a champion in the sport, and of course the saucy swagger of the greats like Ali, Leonard, and Tyson.
When I arrived at the Memphis Fitness Kickboxing gym, a class was in session and trainer/teacher Harry had everyone in the zone, focused on the bag, and dripping sweat. The intensity in their eyes let me know I was in the right place. I don’t know what that bag represented to them evidenced by the squinted gaze they gave it. Perhaps they were visualizing an opponent, or an enemy. But, it brought me back to the moment that lead me here. Those stairs. Conquering each step breathless, I realized my only opponent was myself, my weight, my ability to endure and persevere until I reached the top.
Here's how kickboxing can increase your "beastmode":
Mental Toughness: If you can be mentally tough you are ready for anything life throws at you. Mental toughness is achieved by directly facing your fears, staring them down and believing in yourself. I can’t even describe that feeling when you have finally figured out a punching combo or landed a kick.
Quick Decision Making: When you have arms and legs flying everywhere you and a big heavy bag coming at you, you learn how to think fast. You learn excellent hand, eye, and body coordination. Thinking quick is beneficial for making important on your feet decisions.
Conquering Fears: I was scared to death at my first class but I realized, OK this isn’t so bad. I’m tougher than I thought I was! Conquering the fear of getting hit translates into real life where you now are more willing to try new things because you aren’t afraid of anything!
Self Esteem: A balance of self esteem is the holy grail of being a human. Some have too much some don’t have enough. Kickboxing teaches you to believe in yourself and your abilities through hard work.
Stress Release: Had a bad day at work? Did sitting in traffic make you super cranky today? Instead of internalizing it or taking it out on others kickboxing is THE perfect outlet for letting out any anger or stress from the day.
Go punch a bag 👊