Hi. Well, it looks like I’ve done it again. For the second week running, I appear to have beaten procrastination. This week, as I anticipated, has been a little lighter on the ground training wise but hey, from next week onwards I’m training 6 times a week again and of course, that’s always a good thing.

Although it feels like I’m picking the ball up where it was effectively dropped towards the end of 2019 it’s good to know that  I can find the time to train and put the work in that I need to. Even when I train a little less than I’d like to its always time well spent.

Of course, I’ve got my sights firmly set on fighting later this year but as I’ve said before there’s a lot of work to do between now and then. I’d like to fight over spring and summer, it’s good to have something to work towards.

Today I read this article by Under the ropes on British Trans Fighter Tara Wolf whom I gave a mention to a couple of weeks back. Fighting brings out the best in people and not giving up can be a lot harder than you think.  Learning something positive like a martial art can change your perspective on a lot of things and it’s great to see someone gaining a lot from it.

Today, I’ve been thinking about comfort zones and why it’s best to avoid them. like Geoff Thompson says there’s no growth in comfort.  I’ve always been someone who’s been bold enough to take a plunge into the unknown and even if I’ve sunk before I’ve finally swum I’ve got to see what it is I want up close and personal.

By taking this approach I’ve learned to know my fear. What it is, what it sometimes looks like and the lies it tells me to prevent me from doing things I’ve always wanted to do. When I’ve come out the other side victorious or not I’ve been able to decide if what I wanted is really for me.

After a three year break from fighting and after losing my last few fights for my current gym it’s safe to say competing is something  I still want to do this year onwards. I need to get better at it. And ok I didn’t like the home truths my trainers gave me but I’ve done my best to take it in and listen without letting my feelings get hurt and my pride flare-up…  I stretch more, I focus on my technique more. Some days I’m fast but I get sloppy quick.. Like all things, martial  It’s a work in progress.

You know being honest, I feel out my comfort zone sparring with some of the guys at my camp. Some days I look for easy options especially if I have a hard time the round before. The tough part is making sure I’m always training with people that I know will always give me a hard time. If anything there’s only ever growth in discomfort

With anything you want to achieve in life, it’s important to give it a shot when your ready to do so. You learn a lot from failure but you learn nothing from repeating the same mistakes time and time again, although sometimes that’s what needs to happen to truly find your way. If you jump in at the deep end you’ll usually find the waters warm and you’ll want to stay there, and even if you don’t the main thing is that you took the plunge. Have a good week, train hard and just like the last time.. I’ll see you on that road.