It's Time!!!

I took July off as my family was visiting the US for the first time. With them leaving at the end of july and taking the Ph.D Candidacy Exam out of the way, I have now more time to focus on training. I've been training nonstop this month and took me only a week to get back in shape. Training 6 days a week divided between Cross-fit, TRX, API, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Conditioning (bag class), I feel just great!

Coach Buck Grant got back from Thailand as he was filming "Tuff Girls" with Master Toddy. Two nights ago after sparring, he asked me if I still want to fight and if I am ready. My answer was "Anytime!". I just wanted to do it... He scheduled me for Modern Gladiators on September 25th. Closer than I thought, but no more excuses, I got almost a month to train for it.

With Master Toddy



I reached last month 165lbs by simply cutting drinking and eating healthy. I didn't like the way my body looked but this is just temporary. However, this month I was lifting weights and eating anything that has protein which put me back to 178lbs. In other words, I got to lose 18 lbs by Sept 25th since i'll be fighting at 160lbs. I love fighting but definitely HATE dieting...

I shot a video of me sparring with one of the fighters in our academy (Tom):



Doing the TRX workout:



I am still in the beginning of my 3 weeks training camp and gotta admit, I can already feel the chills. It's not that i'm scared or anything. I just don't want to let my academy down (1) and I have NO IDEA who am I fighting (2). The training changes dramatically if the opponent is tall/skinny or short/muscular, and I simply have no clue. Again, "Competing" is not something that I particularly enjoy. I like the sport, and competing is taking it to the next level, making it more realistic. I like challenging myself, and this is simply just another challenge...

What pushes me to train harder every day are the members of HTC. If I had to describe this academy in one phrase, it would be: "It's not a place where you train to be good but a place to get better". Whether you were an amateur, pro, skilled, or maybe super naturally talented, you can always get better in this academy. The limit is the sky. The conditioning drills are always changing. The techniques are always modified depending on UFC fights to make sure we're using what is PROVEN to work in real situations.

It's September 4th, and the training camp is still at the beginning. Monday, Wednesday, Friday = Conditioning (1 hr), sparring (1 hr), then a workout they call "Fighter's workout" (which takes also around 45min). Tuesday, Thursday = pad work followed by API or Crossfit or TRX. Saturday lift weights and sprint on and off for around 30mn. Sunday = rest!

I am forcing myself to do something before going to bed as I started having the fighting dreams, again. I just wake up kicking or clinching with the pillows. Yeah it's day 4 and I already started losing it...