It was a tough work out today.  I did the Kettle bell class and then the cardio boxing.   Joe and Sean are going to be pushing me because there is only 8 weeks left until the fight.  I have to really work hard and not quit.
   I am understanding what Joe and Sean mean when they say everyone wants to box, but not everyone wants to do the training.  It sounds fun to get into the ring and pretend to be Rocky, but to really get ready to box means hard work and not giving up when your body wants to quit.
  I got my butt kicked a bit today, but it reminded me of  why I am doing this. I am doing this to help families that are going through rough times.  They are trying to change their lives and it will take work on their part.  It is  easy to say that you want to make a change in  your life, but it takes drive, starting good habits and perseverance to really make it happen.
   So yes, it was tough tonight, but life can be tough.  I am going to keep going and keep my eye on my goal and work hard.  It's about going the distance and  that's what I'm going to do. The woman of Marguerite's Place can do it and so can I.




   

Hi Everyone,

     It has been a while since my last post.  I have been fighting a nasty cold that has been running through our family. I haven't had the energy to get to the gym. I am feeling better and I should be back on track Monday.  We all run into obstacles when we set goals, but we have to keep moving forward.
     I know the woman of Marguerite's Place run into obstacles, while they are working their program, but they have to keep on track as well.
 I will be back and working hard.  I can't believe how fast the fight is coming.
   Stay tuned for Press Releases that should be coming out soon.

  I have some fun ideas for future video posts so keep watching for those as well.

  Thanks everyone.

Hello everyone.

Below is a video of some of the Boxing Blast class at Fist Fitness.  It is an intense half hour workout where you are constantly punching and moving. It is a hard workout, but one I need to get ready for the fight.

 

  You also get to see Joe Bellone and Sean Eklund the owners of the gym and the guys nice enough to help me with this endeavor.
    
  As you watch, remember going to the Marguerite's Place website and making a donation is WAY easier than doing the class.   If I can push myself during class, you can push yourself to make a small donation.
  
 I hope you like the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OooqtmGIxa8&feature=youtu.be

 

 

Today's workout

Hello all.

It was a great workout this morning.  Joe lead us through a great class and I got to do a few rounds with Tommy. 

Tommy, thank you for working with me and I especially thank you for not hurting the old guy.
 
I have a lot of work too do, but it was good to practice today.

 
   

Important Links

Hi everyone.

You will want to save these links. They are important. 

First, Marguerite's Place website is http://www.margueritesplace.org/

I encourage you to go to the website and learn a little more about the organization. They are amazing!


The link to donate is http://www.margueritesplace.org/you-can-help/

You will need this link when I challenge you to donate. Remember any amount helps. 

Second, you will need the Fist Fitness website.

http://www.fistfitnessgym.com/

I encourage you to check them out as well and I can't thank them enough for supporting me and being a part of this.  I look forward to introducing Joe and Sean in future videos so keep visiting the site.

So, the big question.  Why?

 

So why does a 44 year old man decide to go three rounds with a super heavy weight boxer?

There is no trophy to win and no money at stake.  Well, no money for me.  Hopefully I will make some money for my charity.   Sure.  Craziness is a part of it, but only a small part.  

     Yes.  I am doing this to raise money for Marguerite’s Place.  Marguerite’s Place is a nonprofit in Nashua NH that helps women with children with transitional housing.   I am a board member so I try to help however I can. The mission of Marguerite’s Place has special meaning to me because of the stories my father told me of his childhood. 

      My father died several years ago, but if he was alive today and you asked him about his childhood he would admit to you that he grew up as “poor white trash.”  His father disappeared shortly after the children were born. To this day no one knows what happened to him or where he went.  My grandmother was left to raise my father and his younger brother alone.  They were fortunate that my father’s grandfather had a family house that they were able to live in.  If it wasn’t for that, my father admits they probably would have been homeless.  They were grateful to have a place to live, however even though my great grandfather had a successful building wrecking business back in the thirties; he was apparently a very mean drunk.  He lost a lot of his money to alcohol and it was a very uncomfortable environment.    I can’t help but think that my grandmother would have been happier if they had had a place of their own to stay.  The type of place that Marguerite’s place provides for its residents.

     Okay, let’s skip to the happy ending.

 My father worked hard growing up. His grandfather passed away and they were still able to stay in the family house, but now they had no money.  My father supported his mother and brother for a lot of his young life.  In the end, my father grew up to start a business and become a successful business man himself. He ran a company called Pipe Line Testing Service in Winchester, MA.   His hard work and struggles paid off.  Not only did he run a successful company for a number of years, but he learned to pay it forward.  He was able to purchase a two family house that he rented out as section 8 low income housing.  He became a selectman of Winchester and championed for low income housing. He was also appointed to the state housing authority.   He overcame difficult odds.

   So hopefully you can see from my family history why I might be attached to an organization that helps women with children overcome difficult situations. 

So again, why box.  Well, to me boxing symbolizes overcoming difficult odds.  Boxing is not about being the toughest guy in the room or hurting someone else.  It is about pushing yourself and believing in yourself.   As I train for this fight, I know there will be times I will want to quit.  My arms will be tired and I’ll be gasping for breath and I’ll be faced with the choice that we all have when we face something difficult.   Quit and be done or push myself just a little further.   If I quit, okay no loss.  As I said nothing is at stake so why not just quit.   But, I won’t quit because I don’t want the women of Marguerite’ Place to quit.  They are going to run into difficulties when they go to school, raise their families and pay their bills.  But they will need to believe that they can make it and they will be so much prouder of themselves when they do make it.

     Yes.  I can quit this fight when the training gets hard, but what message does that send to my children.   Ten years from now I won’t remember how the fight turned out, but I’ll know that I took on a difficult challenge and saw it through.   

  So, why box?  To show what can happen when we push and make the decision to go the distance.

I hope you enjoy going on this journey with me and maybe it will inspire you with your New Year’s resolutions.   I will be challenging you readers to donate as I take on my physical challenges.  I hope you will give what you can.  I also hope some of you in the area will donate to see the fight, which is tentatively scheduled for March. 

         As we saw from Face book’s ice bucket challenge, small amounts from a lot of people can add up.  You can go to margueritesplace.org to donate.   Push yourself to give what you can.  Great things will happen from it and you’ll be amazed how great it makes you feel. 

 

Thanks and keep visiting for more posts.

 

Eric

 

 

Link to my fight intro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-9QUZ4cVdE