I (Sarah) took a short hiatus from eating out, drinking and blogging to train for 12 weeks in a boxing program called Corporate Fighter.
I had been seeing pics and posts pop up on Instagram and Facebook for a while now about Corporate Fighter, possibly because it is the internet’s way of connecting you randomly to things that would potentially interest you based on what you follow. Given I’ve been in the boxing and Muay Thai world for a while, I’m not surprised. Or the universe was telling me to get on board. Whatever the case, I entered one of their competitions stating in 25 words or less why I’d want to join. Amazingly, I was selected as a winner to join the 12 week program as part of Corporate Fighter 31. I was pumped to start!
When you join, they request you to explain why you are choosing to participate. For many people, it’s about a personal challenge, they want to lose weight or get on the straight and narrow. For me, it was about wanting to set a good example of perseverance and determination to achieve a goal. I’d long been wanting to put boxing training into action.
The concept is, that, any individual can apply and, once accepted, sign up at rough cost of $795 for a 12 week training program that includes 4 training sessions a week, headgear, gloves, shirt and a bag and at the end of the 12 weeks, participate in a boxing bout vs someone else in the program. It is also a charity fundraiser – for this program, it was raising funds for Team Rubicon (supporting war veterans). The charity part of it really appealed to me.
The idea is that most people are inexperienced and have never fought before and over the 12 weeks you learn basic technique, footwork and eventually sparring, incrementally increasing the intensity as the weeks go on.
Wednesday’s were a minor form of punishment for me; this was cardio evening – think mountain climbers, planks, sit-down/stand ups and those dreaded burpees. These sessions were to make you fit for fight night and whilst you might hate it at the time, it really is fun and extremely beneficial.
The trainers; Florian, Danilo, Andrea, Jemma, Tanya and Kurt are wonderful, extremely passionate and organised great routines each night and also available for extra personal training sessions. The gym also has other classes you can join like shadow fighter, technique and sparring sessions.
A special thanks to Jemma – she is an outstanding individual who is so dedicated to the sport, and offered in her own time to have “girly fight club” or special sparring sessions for the women from CF 30 and 31 to get more experience. This, we are truly grateful for.
Fight night is incredible – 14 bouts of fights on our night, in front of over 500 people, held at the Hyatt Regency, Sydney. We warmed up, came out to an entrance song and fought our hearts out.
Winners are chosen and trophies awarded. Throughout the night there are auctions and further fundraisers to generate more money for the charity. Afterwards, we change and party with our support crew.
Fighters are expected to sell two tables of supporters, and they get to watch the event with a two course dinner and unlimited alcohol. There’s photobooths for fun with your friends! It’s a top night out for all. I’d like to thank my friends, family, workmates and blogging crew for coming along! Special thanks to Kurt for putting up with my boxing talk all the time and giving me endless encouragement.
Although I didn’t win, and I was extremely disappointed, I need to remember that winning is not what it’s about. It’s a charity fundraiser and most people wouldn’t dare step in the ring at all, and I did it. I also said I wanted to participate to prove determination and perseverance and that I did, fighting 1 week after recovering from a neck injury and with bronchitis. I completed the fight, fought respectfully, and with good technique. I desperately want to give it another go at full fitness to prove my real capabilities.
Along the way, we made a new bunch of friends, made possible by the community environment it is, Facebook groups to discuss advice and the group catch ups to the Commonwealth Games trials, rock climbing and post the event; the pub! I’ve made some lifelong friends from this, which is amazing given the competitive nature of the sport and the fact we punch each other’s face at the end of it all. I must also thank my lovely opponent Jess for a great job in the ring.
From the word go, this is one of the best organised events I’ve been involved in – lots of briefings, emails with reminders, help with nutrition, supplements and advice. Trainers were on hand to respond to our many questions. Thanks to Josh King – it’s an amazing concept that does so many things for so many people.
It also wouldn’t be what it is, without Carla Kassab. She is an A *** organiser, support network and friend to all. Her tireless work and care for everyone certainly didn’t go unnoticed and she made it all run so smoothly. It’s a tough job and one we admire.
I would like to say it’s an incredible experience, that I can’t speak highly enough of. I miss my weekly CF training, FB notifications and words of encouragement from the group. Whilst it’s over for me for now, hopefully you’ll see me again in the future.
Thanks to all involved. If you’re interested in signing up, see Corporate Fighter on the link below.