Boxing

From football injuries to finding a new passion

Boxing isn't something that I thought I would ever get into if I'm honest. I have always been fairly in shape growing up playing football, but as I started to get injured more and more – particularly with recurring injuries – I noticed I was struggling to keep up on the pitch. It became clear I needed to find something else to get me back to my previous fitness level without aggravating those nagging injuries.

For about a year prior to discovering boxing, I went to a normal gym and tried weight lifting like most people do. I followed a pretty standard routine – chest and triceps one day, back and biceps another, threw in some leg days when I could convince myself. But after about 8 months of going 3/4 times a week, I started to get very bored with the repetitive nature of it all.

While I was seeing decent results, I realised it wasn't going to be sustainable for me in the long run. Sure, it got me to a good level of fitness, but I really didn't enjoy the solitary nature of just lifting weights and counting reps.

Group photo at the boxing gym with training equipment and boxing-themed murals in the background
Training at the Hangar

I decided to give it a shot, and honestly, I haven't looked back since. The combination of cardio, strength work, and learning actual skills keeps every session interesting. I thoroughly enjoy it as a sport and have so much respect for the fighters – watching them train and seeing the dedication they put into their craft is incredible. While I personally have no plans to fight myself (my mum would have a heart attack!), the training and sparring aspects right now are the only things that interest me.

What I've Gained from Boxing

Beyond the physical benefits, boxing has given me a sense of community that I didn't get from traditional gym workouts. The people you see in the photo above have become more than just training partners - they're a supportive network that pushes me to improve every session.

The mental discipline required for boxing has also transferred to other areas of my life. Learning to stay focused under pressure, developing strategy, and pushing through when you're exhausted are skills that have proven valuable both in and out of the ring.