Author: Admin12Rounds

Getting in the ring for a white collar boxing bout is extremely challenging both mentally and physically. it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Courage, determination and a strong chin are just some the essentials you’ll need to compete in a fight

Sebastian Grayson started boxing with us in November last year and very quickly decided to sign himself up for the challenge

With a house move and a new baby on the way and working long hours as an estate agent, we asked him why on earth would you put yourself through that?

In the interview below, Sebastian tells us about his motivation and journey to get fit and get in the ring. How since starting boxing, he has more energy, has lost over a stone in weight and feels more confident than ever before

What motivated you to start boxing?
Originally I was looking for a new way to get fit and lose some weight. I’d been going to the gym 3 x a week and was bored and not really seeing the results I wanted

What do you like about training at 12RB?
You always feel like you are pushed at every workout. You leave feeling like you’ve achieved something when you leave here and learned something new. I love the community and that the staff are really welcoming.

Why did you decide to fight?
I thought having the goal ahead of me would make me push myself harder. It’s really motivated me knowing that there’s something at the end of all the hard training

What’s been your biggest achievement so far?
Definitely the stone I’ve lost in weight! And learning how to defend myself and throw a punch properly. I feel like I’m achieving new things every day

Biggest challenges?
Burpees, tuck jumps, bear crawls! i think the biggest challenge is actually getting here when you’re tired, after a long day at work. It’s easy to listen to that voice in your head that wants to talk you out of coming. But actually the more you do it, the more energy you actually get. Even on those days you don’t feel up for it, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve accomplished something

What have you learned about yourself?
When you put your mind to something you can actually achieve it. Just when you think you can’t be pushed any further, one of the trainers will push you that extra mile and you’ll realise you CAN do it

What’s you’re advice to anyone thinking of having a fight?
Do it! It’s an amazing experience Putting yourself in for a fight takes a bit of courage but what you’ll find is that once you get involved in the training you’ll feel more confident all round. You’ll feel like you can handle any situation. Whatever life throws you, you can deal with it

Boxing makes you better because?
It gives you self confidence determination and self belief

Check out Sebastian’s full interview here on our youtube channel

If you think you’ve got what it takes and want to get involved in our next fight skool intake – head over here and apply

https://12rounds.wufoo.eu/forms/x166hyyo11l4uc2/

Training starts 17th May to fight at Clapham Grand on 22nd July

When I discovered boxing, I knew I’d found something special. Previously I had a love hate relationship with exercise. I’d jump into every new fad then quit when I didn’t see instant results. I was miserable about my weight and my lack of commitment for quite some time!

Boxing was different. From the first punch I was literally hooked. I didn’t get bored, my attention didn’t wander. For the first time ever I really enjoyed exercise. So much so I couldn’t wait for the next session

I’ve been coaching now for over 10 years and it still makes me smile from ear to ear hearing my clients tell me their stories about what boxing has done for them. Not only do they see physical changes but they talk about how their lives have just got better overall. They are calmer and more confident, they prioritise themselves and look after themselves better. As a result relationships improve, work life balance improves and of course health and fitness improves.

I decided this needed some investigating. I mean can your whole life change just from throwing a punch?

I believe it can

In the 10 points below I explain why I believe boxing makes you better at life

1. Its effective. Ok so this is an obvious one. Boxing is renowned for being one of the most effective workouts around. Burning up to 900 calories an hour and working core and legs as well as upper body, you’ll be fitter than you’ve ever been. Changing your physical body is empowering and I believe that its also one of the most effective ways to change your mental state.

2. It will make you more confident 
Wanna be more confident? Confidence comes from taking action and doing. As you progress your boxing and fitness levels and see your body change, you automatically become more confident.  Working on your body also helps you get to know yourself, understand your strengths and weaknesses.  Committing to the process and achieving the goals you set yourself builds self esteem as you’ve kept the promise you made ti yourself.   With boxing, the fact that you’ll enjoy the process makes it easier to get into a consistent exercise routine.  It’s that consistency that will get you results.

3. It’s fun 
Don’t like exercise? No problem. I have rarely met anyone who hasn’t enjoyed boxing. It’s such a fun way to get moving. Learning the technique keeps your mind focused. You’re so busy trying to get it right and hear the satisfying snap on the pads that you’ll forget you’re even exercising. The social element of group sessions also helps create a fun and motivating atmosphere.

4. It encourages connection
Although competitive boxing requires you to face your opponent alone in the ring, boxing training is very much done as a team. That takes me on to my brain science forte.  Our mammalian brain is wired for connection. When we feel connected to those around us it tells the brain we are safe and reduces stress, worry and anxiety.  Boxing communities are know for being very supportive. Members end up like one big family where they are encouraged to work together and support each other. Most boxing coaches I’ve met or had the pleasure of working with are incredibly passionate about their sport and seeing their members progress.  They provide motivation, support and encouragement to keep everyone progressing and pushing themselves to the very best of their ability.

5. It will massively reduce stress
It’s no secret that boxing is an amazing form of stress relief. When we are stressed or anxious we are in our head worrying about what ‘could’ happen. Boxing brings you back to the present. Learning technique makes you focus on the here and now. You can’t possibly be worrying about your bills or tomorrows business meeting while you’re trying to learn a complex punch and defence combination. It gives you some temporary relief from whatever’s going on in your head and provides an opportunity to reset your brain. I call it ‘getting human again’ because it quite literally takes you out of the reactive animal brain back to the rational human one.

6. It will improve your relationships
When you are feeling less stressed, fit and healthy, confident and good about your body, there’s no doubt your going to be a nicer person. Imagine managing your moods through exercise and NOT taking out your stress on your partner or family?
Leave your stress on the bag and your loved ones will get the best version of you – not the grumpy one!

7. Mental clarity and focus 
Again this goes back to brain training and changing your brain set. When I get stressed my brain goes into overwhelm and I have difficulty focusing on tasks. Boxing helps train your brain to focus. With so many distractions in today’s world many of us have trouble focusing for more than a few minutes. Every single thing we do in life is a skill. To get good at any skill you have to practice.  Training your brain to focus is no different. Learning focus as part of boxing helps you develop the pathway in the brain that helps you to stay present and focus on tasks.This will also therefore make you you better at focusing on tasks in other areas of your life.

8.  Unlock your creativity In order to be creative you must be in your human brain. Another brain science fact that most people don’t know about!  When we’re stressed, worried and reactive we are walking around in our animal brain. This part of the brain is only concerned about survival and reacts in fight, flight or freeze. It doesn’t care about your goals, hopes and dreams and it certainly doesn’t care about helping you be creative. Movement, particularly complex movement where you have to focus, literally shakes up the brain and allows you to reset  and get human again.  Ever noticed how after a workout you suddenly feel inspired and have lots of ideas and things seem easy again?  Yep, that’s your pre-frontal cortex at work.  Meet your human!

9. Meditation for those who can’t meditate
Learning boxing technique is like a form of meditation. It brings you back to the here and now. Repeating movement patterns helps bring the brain into a meditative state; having a calming effect and helping you focus. For anyone who struggles with slowing down and is terrified of traditional meditation, I believe this is a great alternative.

10. Increased energy
When you feel lethargic and tired, the best thing for it is to get up and move. Boxing training involves high intensity exercise. This will switch on your sympathetic nervous system causing your body to release your get up and go hormones which will give you a boost of energy. I see this every night in the gym. Members come in tired but because they love it, they push themselves to turn up. After the session they are literally buzzing with energy. It is however also important get out of this ‘wired’ state and also allow yourself to unwind too.  We need to access both branches of the nervous system to stay balanced or you will literally burn yourself out!  Something I encourage is the right ‘mix’ of exercise to balance the nervous system, but that’s another blog post!

I hope this has given you food for thought. If you live in the Clapham area and fancy giving boxing a go, please do come along and join us for a taster session or check out our monthly workshops and events such as punch and brunch and self love and boxing gloves (see eventbrite or email info@12roundsboxing.co.uk)

Join our boxing family and let boxing make you better!

Kat x