I have am overweight, socially awkward, I was humiliated all my life in various gym/sport activities. I have been diagnosed with 2 neurological disabilities that affect my ability to communicate within the brain different movements, I grew up always believing I was incapable of many things and feeling helplessly uncoordinated. I was in occupational therapy for year. I have had 4 knee surgeries, and have spent all my life trying to combat against low muscle tone which regularly causes me deep physical muscle pain or causes exercise to be ineffective because I can’t get my muscles to interact. As someone who is very insecure about my body, about my physical abilities, about my self image in general it was the last sport I pictured myself participating in. I can’t explain how foreign it is to me that I can confidently say I participate regularly in boxing. That I can confidently say I enjoy exercising in a group setting. People always ask me what is it that keeps me going back, why do I participate in something like that, and it’s quite literally the people. When you cross the threshold of the gym doors you are welcome. It doesn’t matter where you come from who you are, what your story is you belong. And it’s very hard to find that in the world today. I have seen a change happening in my body in one year of boxing than I have in years and years of trying other programs, trying to do it my way, trying to stay in comfort level. I feel at home at the gym because I’m surrounded by family. When I’m there I’m at my second home. And I’m so thankful for the people there. I have also seen a personal change in my mindset, my mental health, and my feelings towards my body image. (All for the good of course) when I don’t box I miss it. And I can’t recommend it enough to other people. There’s so much misconception about what boxing actually is, and what people think. It’s a great sport to be a part of but event more importantly, at the bulldog academy it’s a great community to be a part of.