In life, I often seek out new challenges to push myself beyond my comfort zone. This time, I signed up for something completely different—a 3-month boxing trajectory, culminating in a recreational fight in a cage. It was an opportunity to not only test my physical limits but also to explore how mindset plays a critical role in achieving goals, whether in boxing or in business.
Starting the Challenge: All or Nothing
I’m the type of person who goes all in when I commit to something, and this challenge was no different. The idea of boxing for 12 weeks, with no alcohol and a disciplined lifestyle, appealed to my need for structure and focus. It wasn’t just about the physical challenge; I was curious to learn how the mental aspect would unfold during such an intense trajectory.
Training 4 times a week for 3 months would certainly have an impact on my daily routine. The group I trained with in Amsterdam consisted of 18 people, but on fight day, over 200 fighters from around the country would show up. It was real, and the stakes were high. Each fighter would be matched based on weight and experience, making it both fair and competitive.
From the start, our trainer Mo, a seasoned fighter, made it clear that we’d need to throw out our bad habits. He said something that stuck with me: “Most of you have built habits through boxing, not experience. Let’s throw those habits out the window and start from the basics. That’s how you develop a winning style.”
This resonated deeply. It’s similar to business—sometimes, the routines and habits we’ve built aren’t enough to succeed at the next level. You need to strip things back to their core and rebuild the fundamentals. This is how sustainable growth happens, both in the ring and in the world of entrepreneurship.
From the beginning, I made it a point to enjoy every step of the process. It’s easy to focus solely on the end goal, but I knew that celebrating only at the end would be a mistake. I often tell entrepreneurs that success is not just about reaching a final destination but about embracing the journey along the way. In boxing, this was no different.
The Training: It’s All in Your Head
Another training session done, and this one was particularly tough. We were all exhausted, but our trainer made us push even harder. After a grueling workout, we were told to line up and do push-ups, with the catch that no one could let their knees touch the ground. If one person failed, the entire group would start over. On the sixth attempt, we finally made it.
The lesson here was clear: It’s a mental game. We all had the physical capacity to do it from the start, but our minds needed to be pushed to believe it. This is a lesson that applies to entrepreneurship as well—sometimes, it’s not about having the resources or the skills but about having the mental toughness to keep going when things get hard.
During training, I often found myself helping those who were struggling to keep up, which felt natural. However, one day the trainer pulled me aside after a tough run. He said, “In the ring, no one will be there to support you physically. It’s all on you.” This hit home for me. While support systems are valuable, there are moments in life and in business when you need to rely on yourself completely. You have to be your own motivator, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me both in and outside the ring.
In the first month, we focused on defense and conditioning. The second month introduced more sparring, and by the third month, the mental aspect became our main focus. Every session, we were reminded that physical endurance wasn’t enough; mental toughness was the key to lasting success.
Facing the Opponent: The Challenge Becomes Real
After weeks of intense training, I received the news I had been waiting for—I would finally learn who my opponent was. When I saw his picture, I was taken aback. This guy was somewhat intimidating, and it was clear that he had some experience. It was a moment of doubt. I thought I had signed up to fight someone at a similar level, but it felt like I had been paired with someone far more advanced.
This is a moment many entrepreneurs face when their challenges suddenly become real. It’s easy to set goals and make plans, but when the reality of the situation hits, doubt creeps in. However, in both boxing and business, you have to trust in your preparation and adapt. I discussed strategies with my trainer, and we came up with a game plan.
A week later, I found out that I’d actually be fighting someone from my own group, a French fighter named Loic. He and I had trained together a lot, which made it an interesting match-up. I had the advantage in weight and punching power, while he was quicker on his feet. It was going to be a challenging fight, but I felt confident that we’d put on a good show.
The lesson here was simple but profound: You’re never truly prepared until your challenge is right in front of you. Whether it’s facing an opponent in the ring or launching a new business venture, there’s always that moment when theory meets reality. The key is to stay flexible, trust in your preparation, and be ready to adapt when the situation demands it.
Another plot twist! A couple days before the fight I’m being informed my opponent has changed again.
The Fight – A Day of Unforgettable Lessons
What an incredible experience! The energy on fight day was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. Surrounded by an amazing crowd of friends and the other fighters from my gym (most of whom were still waiting for their turn), I was the first one up. The atmosphere was absolutely electric, and I could feel the adrenaline surging through me as I prepared to step into the cage.
In the lead-up to the fight, I had played out so many different scenarios in my mind. But ironically, the one that ended up unfolding was the scenario I hadn’t fully prepared for—yet it was probably the most likely one. As soon as the fight started, I realised I was being completely overwhelmed by my opponent’s power and aggression. He was simply better prepared than me, and despite all the hours of training, I found myself slipping back into old habits, struggling to keep up.
The lesson learned is that sometimes, no matter how much you train and prepare, when the pressure is on, your mind can pull you back into your comfort zone. Staying focused and sticking to the plan when things aren’t going as expected is the real challenge.
Our trainer had reminded us before the fight: “Give it your all, and make sure you don’t leave with any regrets.” And while there’s a part of me that wishes I could go back and fight again with a different approach, I’m also incredibly proud of what I did. It’s not just about winning; it’s about having the courage to take on a challenge and push yourself beyond your limits, physically and mentally.
One thing that truly stuck with me from the entire experience was the level of respect among all the fighters. It wasn’t just about the fight itself—it was about mutual respect, camaraderie, and supporting each other. Win or lose, every fighter stood together, and that’s something that will stay with me long after the fight.
The event was massive, with several title fights, competitors flying in from Spain, and an electric crowd of about 2,000 people. It was an unforgettable day, filled with lessons I never expected to learn.
Another lessons I got to learn is that you win some, you learn some. In this case, the learning was far more important than the result. It sounds cliché but it’s certainly true.
Looking back at this three-month journey, I see how much I’ve grown—not just as a boxer, but as a person. This experience has taught me invaluable lessons about mindset, resilience, and staying true to the process, whether in the ring or in life. I’m ready for whatever comes next, both in the ring and in my entrepreneurial journey.
