Gym picnic

 I just had to blog about this. We were all at the gym and my mom decided she would go home and make some lunches. Each of us had a banana with lunch and I don't remember who started it - it wasn't me! - but someone got the boys and Bella talking on banana phones. Yes, all our picnics are weird, but they are never the same way twice.

return to Indy

This coming week, Rock Steady Boxing Austin celebrates our one year anniversary.  When I first traveled to Indy last fall I thought I had some background knowledge on Parkinson's and a little experience with boxing through some kickboxing classes I had taken.  But, after over the past year I realized that my first three days in Indy were just barely scratching the surface.  So many questions have come up and not to mention I just needed a fresh jolt of adrenaline from my coaches.
I was so fortunate to travel when I did, because I was able to attend RSB's biggest fundraiser and even meet the founder of Rock Steady, Scott Newman.  He is like Ali in my eyes.  It doesn't get much bigger in the Parkinson's Boxing World than Scott Newman.
But, hands down the highlight of my trip was meeting Harry.  I was first introduced to RSB through a video of Harry and Billy. Harry was in a level three class I observed.  I heard his voice and instantly knew it was him.  I got the honor to meet him and even share that because of his spunk, 90+ fighters have joined in to fight back against Parkinson's in the Austin area.  We both were in tears.  I am so truly grateful, God has trusted me on this journey.  I get to be a part of something amazing day I step into our gym.

"coach"

It's official, Ben is a Rock Steady Boxing certified Coach.  And according to our fighters, he is a really good one.  Ben has been in Indy for the past four days.  On Friday morning, he texted me and told me he got it.  I asked what he got.  He said, this, RSB, what we are doing.  I am so glad he encouraged me to take this journey, but to have him on it with me, makes it so much better.

a third gym

Today, we opened our third location of Rock Steady Boxing Austin.  After, lots of thoughts and prayers we decided the next logical step in this journey was to take the fight to Georgetown, TX.
After several major set backs, God opened and closed the right doors to allow this happen.
We found another small business owner who ran a karate studio, he was so excited to have us in his space during the off hours.  This time, we had to provide our own equipment, most of which we purchased from an auction house.
The potential is great, and we are off to a great start with 20 boxers on the roster, most who were driving to north Austin.  But, we already have enough fighters to be able to offer 5 classes a week, just need to find that perfect coach to help complete the program.

In case you missed it...

http://www.kvue.com/videos/news/features/2016/02/04/austin-boxing-gym-helps-people-fight-parkinsons/79806300/

Last Wednesday, I got a call as class was ending.  Normally, I wouldn't have answered my phone, but that day I did.  It was Kris Betts from KVUE asking if she could come right then to the gym.  Luckily no one had left yet and they all agreed to stick around and tell our story.

Rock Steady Launches

On Monday, November 2nd we launched Rock Steady Boxing with three boxers (one was out of town).  We learned some basic punches, fighting stance and LOTS of stretches.  Each of these guys had to take an assessment to begin class and I learned men really need to be more "flexible", just sayin'.  PD takes a toll on the muscles and I am most looking forward to seeing how they improve when we do assessments in six months.
These guys are the definition of fighters.  Parkinson's is a degenerative disease.  So, if all we accomplish is delaying the effects of the disease, I would say we win.

Rock Steady Boxing

Last summer, I was approached about teaching a class for Parkinson's.  Earlier this summer, I was approached about attending a training for therapy boxing specifically formatted for Parkie's.  The only hang up was the training was in Indianapolis.  A Parkie friend's wife wanted her husband to be able to attend classes and at the time there wasn't a Rock Steady Boxing gym in Texas.  After watching a clip on facebook from RSB I knew this was for me and Ben agreed to take all four kids across the Midwest so I could attend the three day training.
I met the most amazing people; trainers, Parkies and their cornermen (care partners).  I was hooked.  Over the weekend I am sure I slept no more than three hours each night wondering how I was supposed to bring this back to Austin.  On our drive home we were outside Waco, I was driving and Ben told me he believed I was supposed to bring this back to Austin also and would pay the affiliate fee to make it happen.  I don't recommend driving I-35 with tears in your eyes, but I was overjoyed.
And God continues to direct our steps toward making RSB Austin a reality.
During the training, I felt God tell me Wells Branch is where I was supposed to be looking and I even had a shopping center pictured in mind.  After several phone calls and closed doors mainly b/c of the lack of ac/heat in traditional boxing gyms, yesterday, we met with the owner of a local kickboxing/martial arts facility that agreed to lease a space to us.  And you guessed it, the gym is on Wells Branch Pkwy in the shopping center I was originally imagining.
I have had countless friends offer to help in any way they could to make this happen, including one friend purchasing me a second heavy punching bag.  So, I am hanging on for dear life on this white knuckle ride that God has us on, I sit in amazement how God's plans are indeed bigger than mine.
#fightback