Frenchy from the Centre of France (best area in the world in the Loire Valley with red wines and castles), I came to Eastbourne with my partner in September 2015 to work. The UK was our little America – our Auntie Sam if you prefer- it took a bit of time for us to settle but we finally got there. I knew a few people in the area because I lived here for five years before going back to France. Though, I wanted to meet new personalities and I knew that practising a sport was a great way to socialise.
Why boxing?
I searched for a few month which activity to do, I used to play basket-ball for 10 years but I wanted something new, something fresh, something active…
Then I remembered that I once tried boxing at University of Brighton (and it was with the Eastbourne Boxing Club coach Adam Haniver). I went to the boxing class one Tuesday evening, I actually loved it but never got to do more lessons because I did not have much time. However, I kept this memory in the back of my mind… and *Flash* I googled ‘boxing Eastbourne’ and went to my first ever boxing lesson at EBC women with Adrianne on Tuesday 17th September.
No – I did not want to compete!
My aim was not to compete at first, I was even saying “Oh no I don’t want to get punched, I will just do boxing for the fitness”. I wanted to get fit, meet people and have fun. This was possible with Adrianne because with the women she had a fitness approach to boxing.
However, the more I went there, the more I pushed myself. I remember aching – nicely – after each sessions and I loved it because it meant that it worked. I discovered muscles I never knew I could feel. When I was coming back home, I would talk on and on about the session I had and I would fall asleep so quickly. Basically, I loved boxing.
One day, the ladies had a choice to spare if they wanted to. I tried and I was surprised by how ‘non-violent’ it was. It actually does not really hurt – especially at our level – but I was not expecting that it requires a high fitness level. This is the intensity and adrenaline that I actually liked in that first spare.
I love the challenge
I wanted to push myself harder and to push my limits. I kept going and eventually decided that I could go to the ‘Seniors’ with the Eastbourne Boxing Club. Through times, my body started to change, my fitness level as well, I am still surprised by the things that I can do now that I would have never been able to do before. When I talked to Adrianne about the possibility of competing she was over-excited. This is when I realised that with the right coach, the right mindset and the desire, it may be possible for me to be on the ring one day in my life.
People often wonder why I like boxing and I always tell them it is the challenge of the mind and the body. It is always about going further and knowing that everything is possible if you work hard enough for it.
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