I haven’t encountered many women my age who train at MMA Gyms. But something inside me gave me the courage to walk through the doors of Alive MMA one year ago. I had no training in any martial art, no exposure to boxing, MMA or any of the other forms listed on the vast schedule. But after 12 years as a professional Flamenco dancer, I knew that I wanted something challenging in my life, something to get my body moving again and to help me find the passion, love and respect I had for Flamenco for so many years. Never in a million years did I think that would be boxing. And I don’t mean the popular boxing “fitness” craze, I mean real training. Sparring. Punching. Getting Punched. Immersing myself in an art form that challenges me mentally and physically, but also inspires me to continue even though I am often the oldest person in the class, and often the only female.
In my years of teaching Flamenco, I was fortunate enough to be told many times that I inspired my students, changed their lives, and made them believe that they could learn one of the most complex dance forms in the world. I feel the same way about my teacher, Jana Simms. There is an art to teaching completely exclusive of performing or competing. It requires many of the same components, but to find a teacher, coach or trainer, whatever you may call it, that you connect with, that inspires you, and makes you feel comfortable in the most foreign and intimidating of possible situations is a rare gift.
In my year of taking classes at the gym, I have encountered some of the most honest, real, and giving people I have ever met. I have never felt self-conscious like I did in so many dance classes I tried over the years, whether that be when I was 4 or 43. I learned to love and respect a sport that I once perceived as simply violent; and learned about martial arts that I never even knew existed. I have watched my classes fill with women and men, young and older, who all train with heart, dedication and something one would never expect: compassion and humanity; sensitivity and kindness.
I believe that there are countless women and men out there who search for something to inspire them to exercise, to actually be excited about working out. For many people, like myself, they feel that a fitness gym doesn’t offer that experience. We try and try, join and let memberships expire, only to find ourselves back where we started: with the desire to exercise both body and mind, but nothing that inspires us to do so.
Yes, for me it is boxing. I love the sport. I love the complexity, the challenge and the camaraderie. I miss it when I cannot be there. I have no fear because I know my coach is there; and I have gained self-esteem, courage and finally found a form of exercise that I love. I attend fights. I watch the sport on television, follow it with enthusiasm, and hope to get more involved in the sport in any way that I can at my age.
For other women my age, I encourage you to take that first step into the gym. I am someone who literally hated to exercise. My husband could barely get me to take walks with him. Yes, even with age and wisdom behind us, it is scary. But you never know, you may just discover a passion you never thought existed. And at the halfway point of my life, discovering something new, taking a risk, and finding joy in that experience is priceless.
By Laurena Marrone Campos
Jana’s Schedule:
