Last Updated on December 19, 2014.
In May 2013 something hit me like a ton of bricks. Something everyone goes through in life. But nothing like the fairytales parents read their children at night; more like a nightmare that no one has really prepared you for. I was turning 30!!!
Growing up I had always been involved in sports. And I enjoyed playing them. What I didn’t enjoy was sneaking up the back stairs of the gym, into the dark movie room to run on a treadmill watching the same P!nk concert video three times a week. Don’t get me wrong, she was great motivation (who wouldn’t want her rock hard athletic physique) but the challenge was motivating myself. About once a week I would come up with an excuse as to why I could skip the gym that day, too cold outside, it’s raining, I should spend more time with my dog, catch up on Breaking Bad episodes, you name it! I needed something that could motivate me, captivate my attention and be something I enjoyed doing.
If you don’t know this by now, let me the first to tell you. Something happens when you turn, oh about 25 years old. You can’t eat like you use to. No more fast food, no more late night pizza, and no more cupcakes…your metabolism just slows down to a screeching halt.
So not only was I finding it hard to motivate myself to go to the gym, I was packing on pounds like never before AND I was single and turning 30! Oh no! This wasn’t happening!?
Later that week I reached out to a co-worker who had one of those white circular bumper stickers that said something about MMA or Kickboxing. I didn’t really know much about it, but I use to play soccer, I liked kicking things. But there were so many kickboxing schools out there, where do I begin/which one do I try? She told me the bumper sticker was for Tiger Schumann’s Mixed Martial Arts (TSMMA). I thought ok, it’s somewhere to start. So I looked them up online and filled out the free trial form. Much to my surprise, I received a call the very same day. The man on the other end of the phone asked when I could come in for a free class, how about today he said?! I really didn’t want too, it was too soon and I had Breaking Bad episodes to watch. But I looked at the calendar, and the big 3-0 was coming up fast, so I agreed to attend class that night.
Now, almost 2 years later, I realized that was one of the best decisions I ever made. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t easy! That first week (or two) I struggled to get out of bed every morning, I was so sore! But soon the soreness went away and I started to see the results I had hoped were possible. Now, I’ll be clear, it didn’t happen over night. It took a lot of hard work! I attended classes 3-4 nights a week and also attended a nutrition seminar that was given after class. I realized it wasn’t just kickboxing for 3-4 hours per week that was going to get me the results I desired, eating right was a big part of it too. The other big part of it for me was the motivation and family atmosphere that was present at the school. It made showing up each night much easier and more rewarding. Not only was it motivating to see other students at all different age and fitness levels doing the same drills and learning the same techniques, but my Joshu motivated me to get to class and give it my all when I was there.
Attending TSMMA, and being a member, has really helped me tap into my inner athlete. I feel great, I look great and I’m not afraid to say I’m 30 (something). It has given me confidence and motivated me to live a healthy lifestyle. That is something running on a treadmill in a gym could never ever do. In addition to that, I have gained some life long friends! Having only lived on the East Coast for 5 years, it was hard meeting new people. One thing that I found at TSMMA was truly genuine people. And not just at my school. I have attended other TSMMA schools while traveling for work, and I have felt the same warm family welcome at each and every location. I also love attending live MMA bouts with TSMMA members competing. A sense of pride is felt when TSMMA shirts and cheers are are seen and heard in the crowd.
So if you are at a crossroads in your life, feeling like dragging yourself into the gym just isn’t cutting it, or just need some motivation and confidence. Take a chance. Try kickboxing. Go online, call or stop by your local TSMMA school…then get ready to change your life in one of the most positive ways possible.
To come in for a FREE Trial Class give us a call
732-490-7726
