The She Wolf that Boxes

SO… As a dancer, sometimes ballet class and teaching dance can only do so much. I used to feel that I was at my best performance levels and self empowerment state of mind when I was cross-training. I did HIIT Training at OrangeTheory Fitness and I boxed at Title Boxing Club, along with teaching dance and taking my own classes. Unfortunately I had to quit due to a really bad ankle injury.

After seeing 4 doctors over a period of over 5 years or so, my 5th doctor finally diagnosed the problem. Years of abuse, sprains, strains, wear and tear caused a bone spur and a cyst to form on the front of my right ankle. In may of 2018, I had the best doctor in the world, Dr. Harvey Montijo Jr., remove my bone spur, my cyst that was on my major nerve and shave down a few millimeters of my tibia bone.

After 2 weeks of sitting on the couch and doing my own rehab, I got to move around in a boot and start slowly getting into things. About 8 weeks or so after surgery, I was able to get back to some sort of dance class. Since it was the summer time now, I didn’t have much to teach so I was able to focus on myself finally. (Although I did hobble on and off the stage in my giant, black klunky boot during my kids recital in the beginning of June and worked doing AV Production in the shop lifting heavy lights in it too.)

In the summer I found a local, adult beginners ballet class and I went back to the basics. My ankle was extremely sore and not as flexible anymore because of the scar tissue and such. It was difficult at first because I wasn’t used to doing so little, but it was also exciting because it was the 1st time in over 5 years that I was able to dance with absolutely no pain at all, with no ankle brace, tape or wrap on. IT WAS A MIRACLE.

It is now January 2019 and I have decided to get back to my cross-training. Dancing full time with my ballet company, Ballet Florida, teaching 5-7 days a week and taking 3 ballet classes of my own weekly, I felt the need to balance my training out. I feel strong enough to do even more and get back to where I used to be.

I have a lot of anger and frustration now-a-days so I started thinking about either joining a CrossFit or going back to boxing. Feeling that I could injure myself more with CrossFit and ballet at the same time, I decided I want to hit things. So boxing it was!

I was previously with Title Boxing Club but I didn’t really like it. The location I was at didn’t offer classes when I was available with my crazy schedule, no one seemed like they were having fun and it wasn’t too encouraging. Plus, it really started to hurt my hands, even in the gloves, and my shins because no one taught me how to jab and kick properly. They also gave me a hard time when I had to cancel my membership due to my injuries so I refused to go back there.

In my Google searches and Instagram feeds I came across ILoveKickboxing! (ILKB). I found a promo code on Instagram for 3 classes and a free pair of gloves for $9.99, so I decided to give it a try again.

Why the heck I decided to take a 7:00am class, I have no idea, but I got my butt up at 5:30 and made it to ILKB at 6:45. And I am so glad I went!

As I walked through the glass door, two cheery people greeted me, Kathleen and Phil, “GOOOOODDDD MORNING!! How are you??” All I could say was, “it’s too early for this crap,” and they both giggled, noticing that I am not a morning person, AT ALL. I still had my old Title, pink heart-printed wraps, but they gave me a pair of black gloves to write my name on and gave me the grand tour. Upon sitting me down to get my general information, they asked what my reasons were for wanting to box again or to join. With all the candor I could muster I said, “I wanna hit shit.” Phil and Kathleen busted out laughing, jokingly asked if I had anger issues and said they loved me already. I couldn’t help but laugh as well. My sarcasm is extreme when I’m tired and not fully awake yet, I think ILKB is okay with that. But I did also mention how I wanted to do this to cross-train as well so don’t worry, I’m not there because I have anger issues or something extreme. Although, this would be a great outlet if you do!

The work-out isn’t just boxing a swinging bag that you have to chase around, which I hated at Title. But this included HIIT training with jogging around the mat, ab workouts, burpees, jumping-jacks, push-ups, stretching, hitting a sliding bag and more. Then Phil personally coached me on how to properly hit, jab, punch and kick without injuring myself. He showed me how each set was working every individual muscle for each round that the hour consisted of too.

Both Kathleen and Phil encouraged me and watched me carefully to make sure I was having fun while executing everything properly and with the right technique. They loved the fact that I was a dancer because when I kick, I can’t help pointing my toes. Plus, the music playlist was motivating to listen to while I hit the crap out of my bag. We laughed, joked and got a killer workout. I felt so out of shape! This isn’t easy stuff. But enjoying my workout with encouraging and fun people made waking up early worth it.

I couldn’t help it. I only bought three classes as a trial but I ended up getting new wraps, (since mine were from the competition, Title Boxing Club), and signing up for unlimited classes monthly. It was cheap too! They took a Boomerang for their social media with me as a new member and I walked out smiling, stronger, empowered and head held high as a she wolf that boxes again.