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Thursday Jan 17, 2019
Rock 'N Rumble IX: Jon Pastor
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble IX in Boston on May 15th. They’ve committed to four months of fundraising and training in preparation to get in the ring and literally fight for a cure. Whether their mom is battling, their father has passed or their friend has put up a victory against the disease – they’ve all got a story to tell and they’ve all got a reason to fight. Below you’ll hear from Jon Pastor, fighting out of Nolan Bros. Boxing.Where are you from? Chelmsford, MAWhere’d you go to college? Johnson and Wales University Did you play any sports growing up? Wrestling, football, and rock climbing. What do you do for work? Healthcare IT Sales Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? Always been intrigued by the sport but never considered fighting as a sport I’d be involved in. The idea of Haymakers and their mission is what really sucked me in. Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? I’ve been involved with Haymakers for quite a few years knowing past fighters and seeing the events. Having that background and knowing the impact they’re making towards cancer research is the least I can do to join the fight. Literally. You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? I have many avenues of motivation and inspiration. I’ve been involved with the Jimmy Fund Walk for a couple years leading our corporate team supporting coworkers, JF Hero’s, and family/friends. This falls right in line. Nothing I’m going to go through is anywhere close to the battle those affected by cancer endure. With that said; Denise Kotlik, Cam Conley, my Uncle, Godfather, friends, family, and colleagues drive me to jump in the ring and punch cancer in the face.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) I really, really like pizza.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? My favorite hobby is playing the drums. But most of my time is spent hanging with my one year old daughter, Shirley and my homeboy Richard.. our Bichon Frise.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? Jeez, I’m sure there will be a line past Landsdowne St... maybe my brother? He claims I have a pretty punchable face.Be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Jon!
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Wednesday Dec 19, 2018
Questions about Signing Up to Fight? We’ve got answers.
Signing up for Haymakers for Hope takes a bit of courage. Not really sure what you’re signing yourself up for? Before you read any further check out the program details to see what the four months look like. Already have an idea of what you're in for but still have a few more questions? We’ve rounded up the questions people most frequently ask as they are considering signing up for Haymakers for Hope. What if I’ve never boxed before? No problem! Many of our participants have never even put on boxing gloves let alone step into a boxing gym. That's the beauty of Haymakers, we take a sport that can be intimidating for some and make it very approachable. So don’t let having zero experience in the boxing world stop you from signing up!What if I’m not already in a gym? Do we get automatically assigned to a gym or can I choose? Not to worry! We set you up with a gym membership and a trainer. We work with you to find the right fit for a gym, whether you want to be close to work or home. All of the gyms we work with in Boston, NYC and Denver are all very passionate about helping Haymakers reach their full potential throughout training.How often is training? Training is what you make it, however most of our fighters are in the gyms 5-6 days per week. If selected we pair you with a gym and coach and you will work with them to determine your schedule. It’s often said that the most conditioned fighter is the one who walks away with the W come fight night. Boxing training is accompanied by a lot of cardio whether that be running, biking, etc.What is the level of commitment? Training for a fight is largely a physical commitment, working out, fueling your body with the correct food in order to get to your fight weight. However the commitment to fundraising is also very important. Each fighter has a minimum fundraising commitment that they must reach.How will I meet the required fundraising minimum? Reaching and surpassing your fundraising goal is achieved through a combination of donations, ticket sales, sponsorships, and matching gifts. You’ll probably be surprised by how many people are willing to pony up to see you get punched in the face for an amazing cause!Can I choose where the money I raise goes? Yes! Fighters are allowed to select a 501c3 of their choice that supports research, care, awareness and/or survivorship. Mark Avery our Director will work with you to make sure the charity of your choice falls under our guidelines. 100% of your straight donations and matching gifts will be allocated directly to a benefiting organization! Don’t have a specific charity but want to raise money for a specific type of Cancer? We have a large list of beneficiaries to select from and we’ll make sure you choose the right one!Do I need to be on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter? Nope! If you’re on one of these platforms they are a great way to promote your training and fundraising, however, it’s not a requirement. Recently accepted as a fighter and want to get in on the social action? Jordan our Marketing Guru can help you get set up and show you the ropes.When do sign ups close? Sign ups for Rock ‘N Rumble IX will close on Friday, December 21st.When will I find out if I was accepted or not? Participants will find out if they’ve been selected or not about 6-10 days after sign ups close.Got more questions? Be sure to check out the Program Details or shoot us an email to [email protected]!
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Tuesday Dec 4, 2018
No One Ever Says “I Was Lucky to Get Cancer”
I grew up the middle child of a typical middle class, Boston Irish Catholic family. I was a red headed, freckle-faced tomboy who just absolutely loved sports. All sports. I played every possible sport growing up and was a 3 sport Varsity athlete all 4 years of high school until I tore my ACL. I graduated from Boston College with an Art History degree in the spring of 2001. At the time my best friend had one more year at UMASS Amherst, because let’s be honest, very few of my friends were graduating ZOOMASS in 4 years. So, instead of taking the intelligent, responsible, next step into adulthood and starting a career using my degree, my best friend and I decided we would work at the local liquor store for the summer to get a discount for ourselves and our friends and have a summer to remember. And we were right…but not in the way we expected. In late August, on a road trip to New Jersey, I found a lump in my neck. It was like the story of Jack and the beanstalk. It had just sprouted overnight. It must have. There was no way a lump that size had been there the day before, or that I hadn’t noticed something before now. There was just no way. I went to the doctor, and she quelled my anxiety by saying, if it’s still there in a week, come back. Well, in a week, it was still there. So back to the doctor I went. Blood tests all came back normal. So, I was sent for chest X-ray. Things looked a little suspicious and they sent me for a neck biopsy. I remember post-biopsy, going home, sitting at my parent’s kitchen table, eating sushi, just like any other day. I heard the doorbell ring and I looked up to see my neighbor and longtime soccer and basketball coach, Mr. Roscia, standing at the door. He had just finished treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma a few months before, and right away, I knew something was wrong. He was there to tell me the news. I had been diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkins Lymphoma. I was 22. It was September 13, 2001. 2 days later, I found out a friend of mine who graduated with me in May, went in to work at the Trade Center on September 11th and didn’t make it out. Earlier in the week pre-diagnosis I had gone to the wake for my friends Mum who had lost her long battle with cancer… and my brain just shut down.Treatment was fairly easy for me, meaning I tolerated it well. Oftentimes I felt nauseous, was exhausted and I lost all my hair but physically, I felt OKAY. Mentally was a different story. I was easily the youngest person being treated on my chemo floor which made me feel, very out of place. I wasn’t a pediatric patient, but I wasn’t exactly a full-blown adult. I remember one day, I had already lost all my hair and I was in the treatment room, getting my chemo cocktail, cracking jokes, in good spirits and across from me was an older gentleman, sitting completely alone, rail thin, and crying. That was the moment I realized how scared I was and what this disease is capable of. I finished 4 cycles of chemotherapy, took a month off of treatment to let my immune system charge back up and then finished with 6 weeks of radiation treatment. My boyfriend at the time was from New Jersey and having just received a clean bill of health I was more than ready to move on to a new chapter in my life. So, I left Boston and moved to New York City to move in with him. One day, we were walking home from work in downtown Manhattan, over the Brooklyn Bridge, and I saw a sign for Gleason’s Boxing gym. As he and I were walking, I said out loud, “oooh, I want to learn to box”. He looked at me like I had lost my mind and said, “you don’t do stuff like that”. He had never known me as an athlete, and it had been so long since sports were part of my life, I didn’t know myself as one anymore either. Very shortly after that, I signed up to run the NJ marathon in April of 2004 with Team in Training, a fundraising program which supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was my way of giving back, because I felt like I had to pay it forward. I was young, I was healthy, I was able-bodied and because, it was just the right thing to do.Shortly after running my first marathon, the college boyfriend and I broke up. So in 2005, with new found freedom, I ran another marathon and a triathlon with Team in Training. During training for my 3rd and last marathon, I began boxing as a cross training supplement…and I just fell in love. This was the sport I had been looking for my whole life. I loved both the physical and mental challenge. While I adored the fundraising aspect of my marathons and tris, I realized I absolutely, unequivocally HATED endurance events.In a quest to continue challenging myself I did what I figured was the next logical step, and started competing as an amateur boxer in New York City, while working in digital advertising for Hearst Television. I worked in the Hearst Tower on 59th and 8th, with a mix of older, stuffy TV executives and the very polished ladies of the publishing world. I was going to work in nice dresses and shoes with bruises and black eyes as accessories. I remember one day in the elevator a woman heading to the floor just above mine, she looked at me and said, “oh honey, you have some dirt on your chin.” We locked eyes and there was a split second of awkwardness when both she and I realized it wasn’t dirt, but instead, a good size bruise. I stood there, frozen, not saying anything because didn’t know what was worse; that someone wearing very expensive red-soled Christian Louboutin shoes thought I would go to work with a dirty face or that maybe somebody had hit me. Thankfully, the elevator door opened and out I scurried, without a word. I didn’t know how to explain to her, someone DID hit me, but, she’s my friend. And in boxing, your friends punch you in the face and the ribs and wherever else they can get a legal shot in.In April of 2009, I made the finals of the New York City Golden Gloves Tournament and had the opportunity to fight in Madison Square Garden. I remember going to MSG and just thinking of all the famous and legendary boxers who had competed not only in the tournament but who fought in the same venue. Understandably, I was nervous, but thought, if I win or lose the fight, I am here. I made it this far. And I remembered my father telling me “always fight to win. Never fight to not lose.” I ended up winning that night. The next day in the gym, doing my victory lap, one of the old school characters hanging around, and you meet ALL KINDS of characters in any boxing gym, especially ones in New York City, he said to me, “ANYONE can win the Golden Gloves once. You have win it twice to prove you’re something.” So, the next year, in 2010, after shoulder surgery, I entered the tournament, made the finals AND did just that, I defended my women’s 132 lb title against a one-time, Nationally ranked fighter. I guess, I had to something to prove.I found boxing and it changed my life. It allowed me to find my purpose. No one ever says “I was lucky to get cancer” because I wasn’t. But I was lucky to live near a city that provides world-class treatment and to go on to live a healthy life allowing me to have opportunities and life experiences, enabling me to do what I do now. I have met some of the most amazing women because of boxing. These are women that have changed MY perception of what it means to be woman. I’ve boxed alongside teachers, mothers, musicians, models, writers, accountants, pro fighters, and doctors, the list goes on... boxing is empowering. I think 2 sport professional fighter Heather Hardy said it best, “It’s ok to be strong, it’s ok to be beautiful, and it’s ok to be nasty, it’s ok to be fierce, ferocious and vicious and all those things people told us for so many years we couldn’t be”. Boxing helps women discover their self-worth, it builds confidence and shows us what we are really capable of. Cancer led me to a very dark time in my life but boxing led me out.One life experience was the chance encounter of meeting Andrew Myerson. Andrew and I met in a boxing gym, Trinity Boxing, formerly in lower Manhattan in 2008. Both Boston transplants, we quickly became friends suffering side by side, night after night, on heavy bags, and being endlessly tortured by trainers with mitt work, and all kinds of painful exercises. For us, boxing was a way to temporarily escape the everyday stress of corporate America in New York City. One night, after taking turns throwing a 100 lb heavy bag down a set of stairs JUST to carry it back up, Andrew and I started talking boxing and fundraising. There are endless events a person can participate in to fundraise; 5ks, marathons, triathlons, stair climbs, 3 on 3 basketball tournaments. But, there was nothing that used the sport we had both fallen in love with, boxing, as the platform to fundraise. The amount of time it takes to prepare for a bout is about the same time it takes to train for a marathon. I’m sure just like many people reading this, I have donated to many friend’s fundraising efforts over the years during their marathon training to help them reach a fundraising goal in support of a non-profit that they are passionate about supporting, passionate enough to run 26.2 miles. That was the very genesis of Haymakers. Just 2 people looking to make a difference and the desire to introduce people to a sport we love.In 2011 Andrew and I founded the non-profit, Haymakers for Hope. Haymakers is a 501c3 not-for-profit that raises money for cancer research, awareness, survivorship and care through high end, white collar charity boxing events. The concept is to give normal, everyday people the opportunity to fulfill a desire to see what they can do one time in the ring. We work to pair each person that signs up with an opponent who is of similar size, age, weight and skill level, match them up with a local gym and put them through a four-month training program. We then organize a high-end gala event where the participants have their first official sanctioned amateur boxing match in front of approximately 2,000 screaming supporters. Through Haymakers, we have found an unconventional way to link two seemingly unrelated things – boxing and the fight against cancer.My mission with Haymakers is twofold. I want to continue to raise the much-needed funds essential to advancing research, improving treatments, developing earlier diagnoses, and providing help to patients and survivors. Secondly, I want to introduce people; regular, everyday men and women, to the sport of boxing. I owe so much to the sport. In a way, it saved me, as much as chemo and radiation did 4 years before I walked into a boxing gym in on the corner of Greenwich and Carlisle Streets in Manhattan. In 8 years, over 600 people have stepped through the ropes on fight night in the fight against cancer. We have raised $10.5 million dollars supporting cancer research, awareness, survivorship and care. In 8 years, Haymakers has hosted 19 events in 3 cities, bringing that count to 4 next year and for that I am truly proud.Boxing is not easy. It is a true challenge of mind and heart. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to walk up those stairs and step through those ropes. What Haymakers fighters accomplish in 4 shorts months is nothing short of inspiring. Having a hand raised at the end of a bout doesn't make a champion. What makes a champion is having the guts to step in that ring prepared and the willingness to go to battle for something bigger than you, and literally fighting for a cure. I continue to be inspired every day by the Haymaker’s fighters I meet during their months of training and the stories they share of who they are fighting to honor.One thing I’ve learned on my crooked little journey through life; Always help when you can. There will always be someone out there who has it worse than you do and sometimes, a little help goes a long way.It was my absolute honor to share my story. Thank you so much for reading.
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Monday Dec 3, 2018
Boston’s Boxing Gyms
Looking to sign up for Rock 'N Rumble or Belles of the Brawl and learn more about where you could spend the next four months should you be selected? Want to get to know the gyms that our boxers train in? Below get an inside look at the gyms that help Haymakers for Hope athletes prepare for Fight Night in the Greater Boston area. BoxSmith Run by Haymakers alum Jess Smith, in West Roxbury. Only female head trainer and Gym Owner in Haymakers. Small gym with bags and a ring. She has really tight knit, loyal folks. Family environment. Welcoming vibe. She beats you down and gets you ready. Teaches you basics and gets you in the ring hard and often. Most funCorebox Randolph For a huge, beautiful gym with a lot to offer, check out Corebox. Located in Randolph, half of the warehouse space is dedicated to fitness training, complete with weights and CrossFit equipment. On the other side you’ll find a ring with tons of heavy bags and state of the art boxing equipment. Owner Tim Stanton is a newer trainer for Haymakers boxers, but in the most recent Fight Nights, Corebox athletes are always primed and ready to fight.Elite Boxing & Fitness Elite Boxing is found in a basement gym in North Attleboro. This boxing club boasts a beautiful ring and active youth strength & conditioning program, but its most valuable asset is its Haymakers alumni network. Tons of Belles of the Brawl fighters come out of Elite and they make a point to stick around and help each years’ rookies get some work in.EverbodyFights This string of boxing gyms in downtown Boston has something of a cult following, and it isn’t hard to see why. It’s a one-stop-shop for classes (they offer circuit, HIIT, yoga, and running sessions), but their real specialty is fight training. Owner George Foreman III (yes, son of that George Foreman) runs a tough class that will make you sweat, but he has also created a community of welcoming, down-to-earth fighters. EBF is packed full of Haymakers alumni. It’s no wonder they keep coming back: the gym is beautifully designed with stellar locker rooms, sexy lighting, and tons of Instagram-worthy corners to snap a post-workout photo. Firicano Boxing and Fitness Center On the North Shore of Boston, you’ll find Haymakers athletes training at Firicano Boxing and Fitness Center, run and owned by Michael Firicano. The gym itself is in a small studio, but the biggest benefit for fighters here is Firicano himself. The men and women coming out of this gym are top contenders for best conditioning.Fitness Advantage Suburban gym Fitness Advantage is a Haymakers mainstay. They’ve been with Haymakers since Year One and have seen nearly every Fight Night hosted in Boston. Fighters here love the facilities -- one area is for strength training, one is made up of a room with rings and bags for traiditonal boxing workouts. There’s also no shortage of inspiration at Fitness Advantage; the gym is decorated with huge blown up photos of professional fighters in action.Grealish Boxing The Grealish family owns and operates this boxing club in the heart of Dorchester. Boxers looking for an old-school-style gym will feel right at home here. Grealish trainer Derek Shea is one of the most famous boxers from Boston and his fighters benefit from boxing-focused workouts and his incredible boxing mind and strategy.Haverhill Downtown Boxing Any boxer out of Haverhill Downtown will tell you its a local gem… if you can find it. An inconspicuous door on the street leads you downstairs to a basement fight gym with an unbelievable family vibe. The coaching staff is made up almost entirely of former Golden Gloves champs and Haverhill is a great place to prepare for Haymakers Fight Night.Jim McNally Boxing North Reading’s old school fight gym gets its namesake from its former professional and head trainer. Jim’s resume is extensive (he comes from a fighting family and worked as a sparring partner for “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler) and he runs his gym with coaches of comparable experience. JMB is a good fit for any Haymakers hopefuls looking for classic boxing-focused workouts and training.Lucky Punch Fighters lucky enough to train with Lucky Punch’s Todd Paris are immediately welcomed into a tight-knit family of fighters. The group at Lucky Punch split their time between a few different locations around Boston, but this family of fighters are immensely loyal and the help you’ll get from other teammates here is just as valuable as the workouts. Haymakers’ Lucky Punch alumni are known to come back to help newer fighters prepare for their bouts.Nolan Brothers Twin brothers Matt and Mark Nolan have established amateur records of their own and channel that experience directly into training new fighters. Fighters here can focus on general fitness, but the opportunity for intense fight training here is immense. Nolan Brothers is one of the only gyms in the area to host smoker fight nights, and H4H competitors training here get ample opportunity to get comfortable in the ring.Nonantum Boxing Club In The Lake neighborhood of Newton, Haymakers fighters train out of a community gym run by locals Marc Gargaro and Nathan Busa. Local flavor defines Nonantum BC and it’s a boxing club with a real sense of family. Both owners have impressive boxing careers of their own and in addition to coaching H4H fighters to victory, they have a deep well of training experience, including traveling the world with the Team USA women’s boxing team. Owner Marc’s artwork adorns the walls and if you keep an eye out, you might spot Haymakers Co-Founder Julie Kelly getting a workout in here.TKO BoxFit In Weymouth, TKO Boxfit fighters get a range of workouts from traditional boxing to more modern fitness classes and drills. Owners Chris and Ryan both hold impressive professional boxing records, and as current fighters, they’re adept at preparing new Haymakers boxers for Fight Night.The Way Former marine Brandon Montella and his head trainer Gene Lawrence aren’t only adept at boxing training, they run a true gentleman’s gym. The Haymakers for Hope team has a soft spot The Way family of fighters, but don’t be fooled; Montella and Lawrence run workouts that will leave you dead and haymakers fighters coming out of this gym are in top boxing form.UpperKuts Boxing Club Haymakers for Hope fighters love UpperKuts BC for its community involvement (they run an afterschool program for at-risk youth) and professional caliber training (owner AJ Thomas is still involved training pro fighters like Danny O’Connor). Located in downtown Ashland, UpperKuts promises “no two workouts will be the same” and offers a variety of training levels and styles to prepare boxers for their first bout.YMCA Lion Zone In the basement of the Cambridge Y, you’ll find The Lion Zone, led by coach Wahset Tafari. The gym strikes a perfect mix of old-school boxing vibes with new equipment. Fighters get one-on-one time with Coach Wahset in addition to access to his classes. Lion Zone members have no shortage of advice, drill partners and teammates, and Haymakers’ Julie Kelly says his classes are nothing to scoff at either: “If you can make it through his ab workout, you are a champion.”
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Tuesday Nov 27, 2018
It Wasn't the Result We Were Looking For
As I walked around sulking for about 48 hours last week post-fight, I found myself defaulting to "It wasn't the result we were looking for" when asked how the fight went. As my moderately bruised ego healed throughout the weekend however, the selfishness of "It wasn't the result we were looking for" really begun to dawn on me. (for those currently unaware, the fight went the distance to the judges and I lost a decision)$1,118,465.01 in funds raised for cancer research in one night! That was exactly the result we were looking for (including $47,170.00 from all you gracious supporters). Give your head a shake, Stew!As I dwell back on the experience, a couple quick thoughts & comments to wrap up… The professionalism of the entire event far exceeded my wildest expectations. I fully intend to ingratiate myself next year in the event as a volunteer/spectator, that is for sure. Perhaps someone from TD will even step up and take up the challenge…?The adrenaline rush leading up to and during the fight also blew me away. While a hockey fight certainly gets the heart rate pumping, they materialize in a split second and are often over before you even know it's begun, so it's hard to compare.My respect for professional fighters has gone through the roof after experiencing a little bit what what's required, mentally and physically, to prepare for a fight.$1,000,000 is a lot of money … it's really a lot of money …Thank You section (I lack the proper poetic acumen necessary to verbalize just how grateful I really am…My trainer Simeon Hardy and the rest of the crew at Gotham Gym – One of the greatest takeaways for me personally in this all is the life-long friendship I've forged with you Simmy The other fighters from Gotham – for pushing me all along the wayThe founders, organizers and volunteers from Haymakers for Hope – for sacrificing your time and effort and making this night so specialFriends and family that came out to watch the fight live – it was a special soiree to spend with you allDr. Rathkopf – for her dedication and passion devoted to fighting this awful diseaseMy girlfriend, Maite – for putting up with my complaining and moodiness for 3 monthsAll of my donors – Again, I really don't know how to thank you all. I started out targeting a $10,000 fundraising goal … how much I underestimated you all! Thank you, thank you, thank you.Knowing what I know now about everything; the nerves, the soreness, the headaches, the anxiety, the hours spent in the gym, the 4:30am alarm clocks, the disappointment in hearing the judges verdict, all of it … if you came to me right now and told me I had to do it all over again for 3 months and I could raise another $50,000, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And again and again and again.Thanks again to you all, and please see some pictures below of the venue/fight for those that couldn't be there. (They provide us all with a professionally filmed video of the fight in the coming weeks, shoot me an email if you'd like to see that when I get it.)Stew "The Garbage Man" Paterson
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Monday Nov 26, 2018
The Last Fans Standing
After 15 exciting bouts of boxing, New York 2018 Fight Night closed out with a bang; here’s the story of the rowdy crowd (in matching t-shirts!) who stayed ‘til the end to cheer on Max Padrid. At a coffee shop in New York’s Flatiron neighborhood this summer, boxer Max Padrid tried to explain why the Haymakers for Hope program was so important to him.“The thing that hit home for me,” Max said, “is that a lot of us who have friends or family members going through this terrible thing with cancer. How do you demonstrate to them that you are with them? Other than flowers and calls, what can you do to demonstrate that you are supporting them and with them and have their back no matter what happens. I think Haymakers is remarkable because it puts us, the support system, into the fight to raise money and put ourselves in something strenuous.”Padrid was featured on this month’s NYC Fight Night card, but he’s already a seasoned pro in the fight against cancer; his mother was diagnosed with a massive meningioma in 2009. His mom’s a survivor, but the brain tumor has taken its toll on his family and Haymakers for Hope sign-ups were the perfect way for Max to keep up the fight. In the months since, he’s had quite the fanbase along for the ride.When Du-shane Cook, a professional fighter who trains alongside Max at Mendez Boxing, first heard Max would be fighting, he experienced a wide range of emotions. “I was super excited, like tears of joy, and also not even a little nervous. I’m definitely gonna be one of the loudest people in there and I’m going to be throwing punches shadow boxing like I’m the one fighting. Let’s go my Kin is fighting let’s knock cancer the f**k out!”Max’s sister Annie’s initial feelings on the fight were a bit more focused: “I was so mad at him. I was incredibly impressed initially at the way he was training and the commitment he had made to himself and to his ‘team,’ but he and I always discussed his NOT participating in an actual fight.” Max’s sister is fully supportive though, and once he explained more about the mission behind Haymakers, Annie says she got on board immediately. “The passion he displays for this cause, for our mom and her struggle with the devastating effects of a brain tumor, is completely inspiring.”Max’s mom had an unexpected reaction to him getting in the ring, too. “The only times I ever lied to my mother in my life are when I was in college and kind of messing around… and when I first started boxing,” he said. “I assured her no one would ever hit me and it was just the bag. So telling her that I’m doing this fight for you, but oh by the way, actually fighting and someone’s going to be trying to hurt me... I expected her to lose it, but she is like all in. I think she’s blown away by the fact that I’m doing this for her.”In fact, most people in Max’s life were blown away by his efforts. The morning tickets went on sale, twenty-five Padrid fans bought tickets immediately, and by the time he entered stepped into the ring, he had nearly thirteen thousand dollars for the fight against cancer. As he stood backstage awaiting his ring walk, the crowd was full of his fans, wearing matching white T-shirts bearing his name.Max predicted his friend and gym-mate Rebecca Goldberg would be cheering the loudest. She was training by his side for the entirety of his Haymakers journey. “I will be the first person in line at fight night,” said Rebecca. “The night of the event I’ll be losing my voice from cheering so loudly.”It’s hard to know exactly whose cheers of encouragement or screams for combinations helped Max perform so well, but when he won his bout (a beautiful fight with incredible technical boxing) by unanimous decision, the room erupted with celebration. Max danced out of the ring and the crowd of white shirts in the stands danced back.Some of the magic of Haymakers for Hope lies in the fact that boxing is such a unique, unexpected way to combat cancer. Many of the alumni who’ve stepped in the ring got love and support from all areas of their lives, but, Max’s crowd at Fight Night was special. In talking to the people in his life, its apparent that his support system is incredible, and on Fight Night they rose to the occasion of supporting him incredibly. Boxing’s a lonely sport, but you wouldn’t know it looking at family and friends around Max Padrid. To catch Max’s exciting bout from the 2018 New York City Haymakers for Hope Fight Night, stay tuned to our YouTube channel.WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE KENT
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Tuesday Nov 20, 2018
THE MAN IN THE ARENA...
Tonight, I win…Though I’m not referring to the boxing match. I’m not referring to the fundraising (though coming in at over $32,000 feels amazing!).I win because I finally got in the ring. I only just realized last night what this whole thing has been about. How this event is so completely and directly tied into the journey I’ve been on the past 2 years, starting with quitting my job and taking that first trip to Peru… into the jungle… into myself.I can’t believe I missed it. I’ve been so wrapped up in the training. In trying to balance boxing, with work, and life, that I haven’t really stepped outside of everything and looked at the bigger picture in a while. As I was getting ‘in the zone’ last night, visualizing the fight, thinking about my training, trying to calm my heart- which starts racing every time I think about getting in that ring- everything became so clear. Though I’m not going to write about it until after the event and I’ve really had some time to reflect on the whole experience… But I think you’ll all agree with the conclusions I came to! (Sorry for the cliffhanger, hope it’ll be worth the wait)Here’s what I do know. The outcome tonight, is just that. An outcome tonight. If my arm is raised at the end of the fight, that doesn’t mean I’ve won and the game is over. It means that I’m on the right path and the work I’ve put in is proving just that- but the game continues, onto the next level, the next challenge. If my arm isn’t raised, that doesn’t mean I’ve lost, it means I’ve been shown an opportunity to improve, to grow, and that would be just as amazing of a gift, just as important of an outcome.Are you ready?Everyone is asking me this question. Jokingly, I usually reply, ‘Ready for this to be over…’ or ‘Ready to get my life back…’. Reality is I have no idea. Could I have trained harder? Absolutely. Could I have been lazier and taken it less seriously? Absolutely. Do I feel like a boxer? Some days moreso than others. Here’s what I do know- I’m in great shape, both physically and mentally. Physically better than I’ve been since my early 20s (and maybe even better), Mentally my brain feels sharp, like I’m back in Nepal filled with the energy of the universe.In fact, my brain is almost too functional at times! One of my life coaches warned me of this- that removing alcohol and all other substances from my life, eating an incredibly healthy diet, exercising constantly, drinking lots of water, getting great sleep (not just in # of hours but a completely restorative, deep sleep). All this has led to a heightened awareness which at times has been overwhelming! Many thoughts, lots of input, almost like sitting on a perch above looking at life happening below- when generally I’m just part of that rat race just going about my business… More on this later on too.But I digress- I AM ready.My 2nd trip to the jungles of Peru communicated and confirmed exactly this. Trust. Trust that I have everything I need already inside of me… always. I don’t have to spend time or energy looking for it or trying to understand it- I just have to know, truly know and believe, that when the time comes, that strength will be there, the confidence will be there, the knowledge will be there, and I’ll be ready… for whatever comes my way. And I am.What a Ride4 months has gone by since I filmed my first video standing outside of Mendez. It was a warm, sunny, summer day- and tonight is supposed to be the first snow of the season! The training has been intense at times, my body has felt every bit of its 42 years. I’d say I’ve taken more baths since July 15 than I have since I was maybe 4 or 5 years old! I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve felt confident, I’ve felt lost, I’ve felt strong, I’ve felt weak, I’ve felt inspired, and I’ve felt discouraged. I’ve been all in, and I’ve wondered what the hell I’d gotten myself into. But I didn’t quit (though I can be honest, the thought did my mind once or twice)… It has no doubt been quite the journey, culminating in a few short hours.TonightTonight all of us win. There are 32 of us competing- yes momentarily against each other- but at the end of the day we’re all on the same team fighting against cancer. Collectively we’ve raised over $1MM for this event- with one of the guys hitting over $100k alone!I’m looking forward to getting into the ring, and then of course getting out of it. Arm up or arm down it doesn’t matter. I was there. We all were. And when that final bell of the last bout sounds, we all get to celebrate with each other and with our family and friends who have all supported us – both emotionally and financially- along our respective journeys.Thank you to the Haymakers4Hope organization for allowing me to be a part of their team, of their story, and of their mission. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to test myself, and in this moment… to be heroic.Thank you for tonight allowing me to be The Man in the Arena.Much love and bliss,B BY BRIAN WALLACE, HOPE NYC VII For those of you wondering, Brian did in fact win his bout.
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Monday Nov 12, 2018
Laura Teicher’s Packed Corner
That she’d commit to helping other cancer patients and their families immediately after losing her own mother says almost everything you need to know about Laura Teicher. She never ever stays down. We met when she signed on to fight in the 2018 NYC Haymakers for Hope event. She was nervous at the time because she was getting a late start on her training; she was delayed because her mom had lost a heroic fight with cancer just three weeks prior.Four months later, there’s no tough sparring round or rough training session that can get her to quit, but when we first met over email this July, Laura herself didn’t know how much fight she had in her.“Full disclosure, Steph,” she wrote, “I have small twig arms, cannot for the life of me do anything before 9am, I am completely uncoordinated and awkward at anything athletic - and have never once put on a pair of boxing gloves. So, this should be a fun challenge for everyone involved including myself! I do have however, all the motive in the world given my recent loss with my mum, and only two years prior I lost my uncle to prostate cancer.”As Laura heads into fight night this week, this disclaimer is almost laughable. She was in the gym every day at 7am. She has graceful footwork and moves around the ring with ease. And those small twig arms? None of her sparring partners let their guards down for fear of her mean straight right.It’s easy to love Haymakers fighters, but Laura made a special name for herself at Mendez Gym. Coaches go out of their way to make time in busy training schedules to run combinations with her. Her training partners wait for her to finish workouts to give her tips and feedback. When she spars, the room swells with shouts of encouragement and cheers as she throws her famous right.Laura’s sparring partner Karen Masuko says she’s always inspired by Haymakers fighters, but has a special place in her heart for her newest teammate. “When I heard she had just lost her mom and that’s why she was late to begin her training I knew she was a fighter already. You can tell a lot about a person by the way they throw a punch but even more by how they take a punch. I remember hitting her with a right hand early on and at first I thought ‘uh oh’ this is it. But to my pleasant surprise she got pissed and finished the round! That’s when I knew we had a fighter on our hands! Now we’re in business!!! Let’s do this!!”Their teammate Sarah Cunningham agrees. “Laura’s mindset has strengthened so much through this journey. I can’t tell you how proud I am of her. In the early days when she was finding everything overwhelming, I always reminded Laura why she’s doing this because that for me is what gives her the fighting spirit. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to lose a parent and to throw yourself into something so intense so soon after her mom’s passing. She inspired me to get outta bed every morning and fight for life! She’s trained hard, built incredible stamina and I can’t wait for her to get in that ring on fight night and shine!”Everyone in Laura’s corner knows how lonely boxing can be. But they see in her a new fighter who commits to her training, trusts fully in the process, and fights, even in the face of profound loss. It’s hard not to cheer her on.Laura wants to win on Thursday, and like her tough opponent, she has all the boxing training to do so. But if the fight goes Laura’s way, it’ll be her incredible grit that gets her hand raised; in grief and in discouragement and in exhaustion and in profound loss and in anger, Laura Teicher always fights back.WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE KENT
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Wednesday Oct 31, 2018
Hope NYC VII: Why They Fight
With 32 different men and women stepping into the ring for the first time on November 15th you can imagine there must be a lot of nerves and emotions swirling around. Excitement, fear, anticipation, hope, dread, the list goes on. They all have someone they are fighting for, they all have individual things driving them. Their lives have all been touched by cancer in some way. As fight night is approaching get an inside look as to what motivates these brave men and women who are stepping in the ring to literally knock out cancer.As I've been reading these fighter profiles over the past number of weeks, it has proven a stark reminder the sheer breadth of cancers reaches and how malevolent it truly is. So while I draw motivation from the commitment all of these fighters have made to fight for their friends and families, along with all those I know have been touched by cancer in some form, it is my father, who just last week found out his cancer has returned, whom I will be drawing my inspiration from. -Stew PatersonAll the friends, family and colleagues who are diagnosed and impacted. Of course, my number one inspiration is my wife who is everything cancer is not. Really the nicest, selfless and sympathetic person you will ever come across, who went through such a dark life altering journey that I joined her on, right by her side. I don't have to think too hard or close my eyes too long to remember the memories from those years, which isn't necessarily a bad thing as it keeps us in check going forward, reminding us what really matters in life. Don't forget of course my children, Aidan and Amber, whom I constantly remind that they can be anything in life simply with direction, very relatable to my experience stepping in the ring. I also can't forget that without my daughter, we may have never discovered Gina was sick. So no matter how bad of a teenager she may turn out to be, she's got a perpetual "Get Out of Jail for Free" card from me. But please don't tell her that. - Stephen GillMy dad had a 5 yr bout with cancer in his face. Unfortunately, he had his nose removed and now has a prosthetic. -Matt ShendellCancer has afflicted some of my family members and friends. It is a terrible disease. I am just trying to do what little I can to help find a cure. -Cyrus WeisbergA couple family members have unfortunately suffered from, but thankfully beat, cancer. They've never directly spoken about it, but I know they went through a grueling recovery process. I'm more than happy to get beat up if that means cancer is too! -Andrew NeelanI'm drawing inspiration from the memories of the family members I've lost to cancer. My aunt, someone who helped raise me, lost her battle at the end of 2015. Another aunt of mine passed on at the end of 2017. They were both vibrant, dynamic, and beautiful people. I watched the disease sap the strength from their bodies, but throughout it all they were both positive, dignified, and indelibly themselves. Cancer took their health and eventually their lives, but it didn't change who they were as people. If I can take half the strength they had with me into the ring then I'll feel like I honored them, regardless of the outcome. -Luke FranksonMy Mom had a very close call with Cancer, but won her fight and has been cancer-free for 15 years now! Plus I know many other family members, and friends that have been impacted over the years. -Brian WallaceI’m just trying to do what I can to help the countless victims and all of the health professionals working every day. -Jake TrundleI think cancer affects nearly everyone in some way - whether it happens to family, family friends, colleagues, friends, or friends of friends. My grandpa had prostate cancer. One of my mom's best friends passed suddenly from ovarian cancer. A friend from college has been battling a horrible brain tumor for years. One of my best friends is a gene carrier of BRACA which has enormous implications towards developing cancer and for future reproductive capabilities. -Emily BromleyLike virtually everyone, I have lost multiple loved ones to cancer and have also seen many friends and their families have to go through the difficulties associated with the disease. I’m drawing inspiration from my family members, a close friend in Middle and High School who battled with Leukaemia several times before passing away, and a friend who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. -Marc RosenCancer has affected all of us. I lost my Aunt Mary to breast cancer in 2013. My Uncle Richard to brain cancer before that. It’s a frightful disease that doesn’t know race, creed, socioeconomic class, gender. We are all united in needing to find better treatments or, better yet, a cure! -Katherine ErbeznikCancer has affected my family and my wife's family in a deeply meaningful way having lost loved ones to both ovarian and colon cancer. I'm fighting for them. I'm also fighting to ensure research is properly funded and advances are made to eradicate this horrible disease. -Slater TraaenI lost my grandfather and my stepfather to cancer.Both of them WAY too young. I am also drawing a ton of inspiration from people who have to battle something each and every day, and do it. To me, determination is one of the most admirable qualities in a person. Through my training I want my daughter to see her mother be determined. I want myself to push harder than I ever had and I want to honor all those fighters who have worked so hard every single day of their lives. -Gabriela PonceMy mother’s bout with breast cancer when I was just a 3rd grader. She’s beat cancer’s ass and has remained cancer free for 19 years. Over that time, I’ve seen cancer take a toll on cousins, aunts, and friends losing several of them way too quickly. I’m incredibly lucky to have my Mom healthy and cancer free since 1999. It was the best case scenario, and I don’t reflect on how amazing her story has been. I also miss these other influential people like crazy, and I want to do something in their honor and for their loved ones; A fight seems fitting. -Neil SchusterMembers of my extended family and my friends are currently battling or have battled cancer. I'm drawing inspiration from them, knowing that any pain or stress I'll be going through with my training is nothing compared to what they are dealing with or have dealt with. -Adam BerkeMy grandfather, Jim Grogan, was a Union Asbestos Laborer for many years and as such was exposed to the carcinogenic agent that is asbestos. He developed mesothelioma and asbestosis (cancers of the lungs) as a result. The tail-end of his career in the asbestos industry is hallmarked by his fight against these diseases with the development of a tissue bank at Mt. Sinai to support the research of these terrible diseases. He is also an avid boxing/mma fan, so he'll be excited to see some punches thrown! -Bobby GroganFather, Grandfather, Grandmother. -Gabrielle CramerUnfortunately, like most, I have had far too many people in my life who have battled this disease. Some have won but too many have lost. This fight took on new meaning for me when I found out that my friend Rocky was battling pancreatic cancer. I found this out just as I was accepted. -Shaun RoseIn my personal life, my father just recently finished his treatment for CLL and my maternal grandmother passed away from breast cancer so I have both of them in my mind. And through my past involvement with The Valerie Fund I've also had a chance to meet some of these amazing kids who have overcome so much, so it is a huge motivation do be able to do a little something for them as well. -Ian CarowI have a pretty elaborate backstory but the condensed version is my mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor ten years ago and Is still fighting to recover a decade later. On top of raising money for research, I’m fighting to show her that I got her back for life. -Max Padrid
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Wednesday Oct 24, 2018
Boxing for Likes
From a boxing/training perspective, many talk about the last 6 weeks. This is the time to tighten the screws, work on strategy, and keep pushing cardio. This isn’t the time for strength training, this isn’t the time to punch the shit out of the bag… basically, this isn’t the time to get hurt. This is the time to get your body and mind right. Develop that muscle memory, that trust between the body and the brain, so when you step in the ring everything becomes automatic.I’ve been waiting to blog as there hasn’t been anything really new/exciting to report. I’ve been training and sparring a lot. Fundraising is going great (over 26K to date!). But it’s been a bit of a grind and I have to admit, there have definitely been days I’ve wished fight night was closer. My body is sore. I’m exhausted. This has not been an easy endeavor by any means (not that it is supposed to be)…This week I got a note from an old friend that sparked a few thoughts- so I thought I’d share.She mentioned that she’d been following along with my updates on social media, but had been hesitant to donate/get involved as she didn’t know if I was really doing this for altruistic reasons or if there was potentially some ‘need for attention’ or narcissism at play. Now- before anyone rushes to my defense or says anything about this very wonderful person that they don’t know- allow me to point out that as her and I have really only stayed in touch a very minimal amount (and primarily via social media), she hasn’t had the opportunity to get to know the current iteration of Brian Wallace. We met when I was a much different person as it related to how (and why) I presented myself to the world. That Brian absolutely put things on Facebook/Instagram hoping to be noticed, to be ‘cool’, and actually relied on those ‘likes’, that social validation in order to feel good about himself.As this friend has also lost close friends to cancer, this too is a very personal subject for her. So once again I didn’t take any offense to her note, which ended by saying ‘However, after I read the little excerpt about your motivations, it touched my heart. Make her [my Mom] proud.’ I will. I am. And hope I’m making everyone proud…On top of that, she made a very nice donation to Haymakers… So thank you, if you’re reading, you know who you are. I’ve done some reflecting since I got that message. Why the hell AM I doing this? Why am I subjecting my body to 4 months of intense training (and pain!) for 6 minutes of action. Why am putting certain aspects of my life, my friendships, love life, and traveling on hold? Why did I take this on essentially at the same time I joined a startup that also demands a ton of my time and attention? Why have I given up even the little things that make me happy- a glass of wine or scotch in the evening, a cold beer or two during a football game, other sports that bring me joy (volleyball and football), or hell even sleeping in on weekends? WHY am I doing all this? Well, I can honestly say it’s not for ‘Likes’. The reality is I didn’t have a choice. This door opened for me, and I had no option but to walk through it. I just knew it was the right thing for me to do, the thing I was meant to do… there was zero thought that went into it, I just said yes.So on those days- and there have been more than a few- when I second guess myself. Think to myself that maybe I shouldn’t have done this. When I wish there weren’t 6 more weeks and the fight was tonight so I could ‘get my life back’. I remind myself of that moment I ‘said yes’, when I decided to compete. I remind myself of the overwhelming support I’ve received, the money I’ve raised, the friends I’ve made, and the awareness I’ve brought… And although I can barely feel my elbow as I type this (and am headed back to spar some more in 30 minutes!) I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.I’m still super nervous, scared and anxious about getting in that ring. I have a lot of people coming to watch… This experience overall has brought to light many individual microcosms for things I’ve been dealing with my whole life- certainly fear of judgment and ‘looking bad’ in front of others. I will write about all of them after the experience has concluded… but it has definitely been that thus far, an experience… My experience.Anyway, that’s the update with 6 short weeks to go. Thank you as always for the support- both emotionally and financially. As I’ve mentioned I’m up over 26K myself and overall my Haymakers family has raised over 600K! Pretty f*cking amazing…Thanks for reading. Much love and bliss,B
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