The latest
Monday Mar 2, 2020
Rock 'N Rumble X: Jonathan Giordano
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble X in Boston on May 14th. 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 Jonathan Giordano, fighting out of Haverhill Downtown Boxing.Where are you from? Originally from Revere but now live in Groveland MaWhere’d you go to college? I did some time at Suffolk University but got into the trades and become a cement mason. Did you play any sports growing up? Played Soccer as a little guy, Basketball and Football as a teen.What do you do for work? I own and run a decorative custom concrete flooring company with my brother but in the last few years have become a chef/recipe developer as well. Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? Never ever.... I was inspired by my wife who has discovered the sport through Haymakers and has gone on to continue her amateur boxing career. In the last few years I have tried my best to live outside my comfort zone. This is way outside. Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? We have all experienced the effects of cancer in some way. Either sitting beside a hospital bed or in one. After witnessing several Haymakers events and knowing what an incredible charity they are I decided it's my turn to do my part. You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? My Auntie Bea fought a long battle against the disease and lost to it 5 years ago. I fight for her and my cousin Pam who was just diagnosed shortly before I signed up.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) Free time.... it is now spent in the boxing gym... all of it!When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? I love cooking. A few years ago because of some weight related health issues, I needed to change my lifestyle. That is when I I decided to get in the kitchen. I have come up with some pretty cool recipes that have helped a lot of people on their own weight loss and wellness journeys.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? My plan is to not get punched in the face but I am sure that there is a long list that would like to see that happen.Check out his fundraising page and be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Jonathan!
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Monday Feb 24, 2020
Rumble in the Rockies III: Faith Lierheimer
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rumble in the Rockies III in Denver on June 11th. 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 Faith Lierheimer, fighting out of Blunt Force Training.Where are you from? Evergreen, Colorado. Born and bred mountain girl!Where’d you go to college? University of Denver. I got my B.S. in Ecology and Biodiversity. Did you play any sports growing up? I'm a lifelong skiier, but I eschewed sports for theater and choir. Bet you didn't know you were getting a drama geek in the ring, huh?What do you do for work? I split my time between slinging lattes for financiers in Cherry Creek (I'm a Starbucks barista) and teaching kids about conservation and animal science at the Denver Zoo. I primarily consider myself an educator. Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I never pictured myself fighting. I had it in the back of my mind that boxing might be fun to try, but I wanted to box so I could learn a new skill, be a beginner again, and work through the humility and frustration that it takes to be a newbie again. Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? This year, I wanted to do something that scared the shit out of me but also motivated the shit out of me. I'm at a time in my life where I want to start taking more risks and stepping outside my comfort zone, and Haymakers sure as hell fits the bill! 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 lost my dad to Stage IV colon cancer when he was 46 and I was 16. He was way too young to die from colon cancer that far advanced. It's rare, but it happens that early sometimes. He fought like hell to stay with my family for as long as he could, and his grit inspires me to this day. Also, my mom and I are both active melanoma patients--my melanoma only required one surgery and continual 6 month follow ups, hers required 2 surgeries and more frequent follow ups. Her determination to live a full and active life in her 50s and beyond inspires me--she started boxing before I did! So I'm inspired by my dad, my mom, my family, and I fight for them and my 16 year old self who wanted to fight back against cancer but she couldn't then. She can now.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) Oh, for sure the peach hard cider they sell at my local corner store. That, and binging whatever the latest new Netflix show is.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? I'm a fiend for the local music scene and I love hanging out at dive bars and other haunts around town to see local bands play. I'm also the biggest haunted house fan you will ever meet--that is, except for my fellow hauntfluencer and best friend Raine. We are the 13th Floor's top fans, and have clocked 7 haunted houses in this year alone. We love getting scared. I'm also a big hockey fan and make as many Avs games as I can.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? Hmmm, probably my friend and Haymakers alum Shawn, or my Starbucks coworkers for the amount of stupid jokes I make them listen to every day at work. If not them, then my long-suffering and wonderful partner Mark, who endures me talking shit about hockey for 6 months out of the year.Check out her fundraising page and be sure to wish her luck! Best of luck, Faith!
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Monday Feb 24, 2020
Rumble in the Rockies: Jeff Brown
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rumble in the Rockies III in Denver on June 11th. 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 Jeff Brown, fighting out of Touch of Sleep.Where are you from? Midland, TexasWhere’d you go to college? Texas A&M University Did you play any sports growing up? Football, Swimming, Track & Field and Collegiate TriathleteWhat do you do for work? I work in Oil & Gas. Specifically in the mineral & royalty business Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? Despite how terrifying the notion of stepping in a ring with an opponent that wants to hit you in the face may be, it is hard not to romanticize the vulnerability & honesty that comes with stepping into the ring. There is no where to hide, and no where to run. In between bells, you are totally and utterly exposed. Alone. Staring down an opponent. I've always been fascinated with, and drawn to, the sport of boxing. Though actually stepping in the ring is entirely different to simply daydreaming about it! Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? In 2018, I watched my brother, Mike Brown, commit himself for four months in training & fundraising & then step in the ring under the lights of the Fillmore, before all his friends & family. After witnessing him go on this journey, I decided this year that living vicariously through my big brother was no longer enough. You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? On March 15th, 2017, I found myself sitting alongside my mom & dad in a sterile examination room of M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas; awaiting the Doctor to come & deliver the diagnosis. Several days earlier, my dad, Bill Brown (I refer to him exclusively as Pops) went to the ER as a result of a dangerous spike in his heart rate. He learned there was a growth in his kidney & needed to get to M.D. Anderson for further diagnosis as fast as possible. Outwardly, we all tried to remain optimistic & hopeful, but I can recall the collective, unspoken dread that the news awaiting us in Houston would mark only the beginning of a long, insurmountably difficult journey. As the Doctor entered, he could feel the tension & anxiety hovering around the room; knowing there was no sense in attempting to exchange pleasantries - he wasted no time in delivering the news. "It's cancerous." My stomach dropped. I was watching my worst fear unfold before my eyes, and there was nothing I could do. This can't be real. This couldn't happen to my dad. Pops. The Doctor continued in delivering his diagnosis, informing us of the immediate next steps, but frankly, I don't recall any of that. I was fixated on my dad's face. Staring at the man who provided for 5 children, raised us all to be high achieving, confident human beings, and taught me what it is to be a man. Pops. I can't imagine the overwhelming combination of emotions he was experiencing in that moment-- Fear, sadness, confusion & anger. It was unbearable. Just as I felt tears well up in my eyes, the Doctor paused for a moment, as if to give my dad a chance to interject with any questions. His chin began to quiver as he searched for the courage to speak & through tears, he simply said, "Well as of today, I'm a cancer survivor." It's been said that there are but a few moments in our lives that define us, for better or worse. I knew that I was standing in one of those moments; For both Pops and myself. I will never forget that moment as long as I live. In that moment, my dad showed me what it means to be a fighter. In that moment, Pops went from simply being my dad & became my hero. In the face of unconscionable circumstances, against the most daunting of opponents, he chose not to wallow in self-pity, nor relinquish himself to his situation. He chose to step in to the ring, assert dominion over his fears & emotions, and give this wretched disease the fight of his life. Two and a half years later, on October 30th, 2019, my father celebrated his last treatment. He's been cancer free for more than 18 months. I am fighting because my dad fought. I am fighting because he taught me that the most courageous thing you can do is to step in the arena, no matter how terrifying an opponent you may find before you, and give em hell. "...And if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” I'm fighting for you, Pops.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) Whiskey. Definitely Whiskey. Though after just a week of training, I can already tell my body rejecting anything that will dehydrate me.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? I am an aspiring stand-up comedian, and have been pursuing that endeavor over the past few months... Beyond that, anything that gets me outdoors with my girlfriend and our dogs. Hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, etc.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? It's probably a tie between my girlfriend, Deanna, and my college roommate and one of my best friends, Ben. In fact, Ben already expressed how much he's looking forward to me getting clocked. I just hope I won't disappoint.Check out his fundraising page and be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Jeff!
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Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
Rumble in the Rockies III: Scott McDowell
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rumble in the Rockies III in Denver on June 11th. 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 Scott McDowell, fighting out of Touch of Sleep.Where are you from? Baltimore, MarylandWhere’d you go to college? Essex Community College/UMBC Did you play any sports growing up? Lacrosse, Football and TrackWhat do you do for work? Advertising/Sponsorship marketing Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I attend H4H in Denver in 2019 to support a fighter Danny Schaffer and was blown away by the production. After looking more into H4H and the organizations its supports I was all in and ready to fight and raise money to KO cancer! Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? First and Foremost to support the cause of raising money to support the H4H beneficiaries and secondly I was looking for something unique to whip my butt into shape!! You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? After researching that over 1600 people per day die from Cancer I felt intrigued to help bring awareness and resources to the ultimate cause of ending this awful disease!!What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) My overall diet is going to my biggest struggle, I love all bad sugar things!When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? I enjoy attending art openings, concerts and spending time with my dog Meatball.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? Everyone!!! There may be a couple ex-girlfriends that will be extra excited tho.Check out his fundraising page and be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Scott!
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Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
Rock 'N Rumble X: Jeremy Jenkins
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble X in Boston on May 14th. 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 Jeremy Jenkins, fighting out of Church Street Boxing Gym.Where are you from? Winthrop, MAWhere’d you go to college? Framingham State (bachelor) and Suffolk (master) Did you play any sports growing up? BasketballWhat do you do for work? Consultant Relations - Fixed Income Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I've always been a fan of boxing and combat sports in general but I never pictured myself fighting and definitely never pictured myself fighting in front of a big crowd. Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? I've been inspired by some people I know who have participated in H4H and I've been inspired by H4H's mission. You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? It will be 18 years this coming May that my family lost my uncle to cancer. Also, a couple years ago my mother-in-law battled breast cancer and is now in remission. My uncle and mother-in-law are my main motivations. They're fight and spirit will inspire me to push myself as hard as possible when it comes to fund raising and training.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) Ice cream, ice cream, ice cream! I've long had a habit of ice cream as a night time treat before bed. I've now transitioned to cottage cheese for that snack during training - as you might guess, it's just not the same. After May 14th, I'm going on quite an aggressive binge of ice cream!When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? Any free time I have left after work and training goes to my family. Dance class with my 20 month old daughter, walks/hikes with my dog, going out to dinner with my wife and daughter and sometimes just all of us hanging out in my daughters play room.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? I have to imagine some of my friends and work colleagues, but thus far everyone has been so supportive. Wait...maybe that means all of them are excited to see me get punched in the came!Check out his fundraising page and be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Jeremy!
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Tuesday Feb 18, 2020
Rock 'N Rumble X: Casey McQuillan
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble X in Boston on May 14th. 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 Casey McQuillan, fighting out of Church Street Boxing Gym.Where are you from? Westwood, MAWhere’d you go to college? Amherst College Did you play any sports growing up? I played everything I could. Growing up there was always a game being played somewhere in the neighborhood and I loved that, whether it was pick-up basketball, wiffle ball, or two-hand touch football in the street. When I got to high school, I played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.What do you do for work? I do macroeconomic forecasting for the Federal Reserve Bank of NY. Essentially, this is a two-year research position for people who are looking to apply to doctoral programs in economics. I actually recently finished my grad school applications and should know where I will be going by fight night. Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? This is one of those things that I never planned to do, but it made perfect sense when the opportunity came about. I am not the kind of person who goes out looking for a fight, but sometimes the fight picks you. Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? I want to show how strong and resilient survivors are. I want to give back to the medical team that got me through my fight. You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? As a cancer survivor, I am drawing my inspiration from fellow patients I've met as well as the amazing medical team who got me through my treatment. In my life after cancer, people have assumed I am particularly fragile or I need to be especially careful, and I want to show how strong and resilient survivors are. In my fight with cancer, there are so many amazing nurses and doctors who went above and beyond for me, and I want to give back to them. It is really special to be raising money for the same hospital where I received my treatment less than five years ago.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) I've had to give up a lot of free time, which would probably go towards either sleep or watching TV. It can be tough to be out the door while it's dark out for the first workout and get home late after the second workout. That being said, it has made me a lot more disciplined about my schedule and diet.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? If I wasn't busy with the heavy bag, then you would find me at the local CrossFit gym (CrossFit South Brooklyn!) to get my workout in. And when I get too tired for any of that, then I will probably be live texting The Bachelor with some of my friends who also watch. When I can find someone to play Spikeball with me though, that becomes the top priority.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? I think it's going to be hard for anyone to root against a cancer patient in a cancer fundraiser. That being said, there is a nurse who put in a catheter who did not love my choice of words in the moment. In my defense, it was nothing personal.Check out his fundraising page and be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Casey!
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Monday Feb 10, 2020
Taking Off The Gloves: H4H Runs the Boston Marathon
“So, why are you fighting?”That’s the question that’s asked of each new boxer when they commit themselves to step into the ring to do battle against cancer as a part of Haymakers for Hope. The responses we get are pretty wide ranging, but after more than 5,000 personal testimonials, I can say that they can typically fit into three categories. Many are fighting in memory of a loved one. Others are intrigued by the challenge and want to step into the shoes of a boxer, even if just once, while also making a difference towards a cause that they are passionate about. And then there are those who have always wanted to raise money for cancer research, care, and awareness, but thought the only way to do so was to step into the shoes of a marathon runner, shoes that, for them, were not quite their style. Before starting Haymakers, I was among those in the last category. While I didn’t have an immediate family member impacted by cancer, it was still a disease that impacted many of those around me, including a childhood friend. I knew I wanted to do something to help, but didn’t know what that thing would be, especially because the most common method, running a marathon, was something that I honestly had very little interest in. And I suspected that I wasn’t alone in wishing there was some other way to help. When I first moved to NYC in 2007, I was lucky enough to fall in love with the first gym I walked into. I encountered Trinity Boxing Club at a time in my life when I needed it most. I had just moved to a new city, didn’t really know anyone, lived with random people from Craigslist, and was working a very intense job that was averaging somewhere between 60-80 hours a week. Trinity Boxing Club saved me. It became my place, and the people in it became my NYC family. The gym itself was a far cry from an Equinox, but to me it was perfect. It had grit, charm, and looked like it was right out of a Rocky movie. I met some of my best friends there and was motivated to go every day, no matter how late I worked the night before. Being there made a part of me come alive. That I would become completely addicted to boxing felt like a foregone conclusion.Then, in 2007, I met my now co-founder, Julie Kelly, at Trinity Boxing. Like most of the people there, I gravitated towards her immediately. She had this magnetic personality, but also out-worked all of us who were in the midst of becoming boxers. Not only did she out-work us, but she even out-worked the pros there. She was good. Like, really good. I had become part of a hardcore group of people who were training nearly every day and making great progress, but nothing like Julie. She went from picking up gloves for the first time to being mistaken for a pro boxer (by Roy Jones Jr. nonetheless!) in what felt like no time. I worked hard, sure, but not as hard as Julie Kelly. She pushed all of us to be our best. Julie and I instantly became friends. As the only two Massholes at a gym planted firmly in Yankee-land at a time when the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry was at its peak, we naturally gravitated towards each other. In fact, the very idea for Haymakers for Hope was hatched when Julie shared with me that she was a cancer survivor. The more we delved into her experience, the more questions we found ourselves grappling with. If people are able to fundraise for their own marathon training, could a model exist for raising money through our shared boxing training? Could we literally fight for a cure? And if we were able to do so, were there other people out there who were willing to get punched in the face for the same cause?When we first started H4H, we didn’t know if anyone would sign up. I would bug every single person I knew to take a swing at stepping in the ring (let’s be honest, I still do...) and hoped that they would have the faith in us to believe that this was going to be a meaningful, once in a lifetime experience that was worth all the work. Slowly but surely a community started to build around our idea, and today we’ve been lucky enough to find ourselves surrounded by an amazing group of alumni and supporters. Every person who has gone through the H4H program serves as a daily inspiration for me.I believe I found Trinity Boxing at the exact right time in my life, just as I feel that most of our fighters have found Haymakers at the exact right time in their own lives. People lead busy lives, and it’s hard to fit in something that ostensibly becomes an additional job into an already filled schedule. But people find a way. When our fighters look back on the experience, so many have expressed how happy they are that they joined us and that they would do it again in a heartbeat. It’s an experience that forces you to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation, but I truly believe that it also serves to help people come out on the other end of their fight as a better version of themselves.Over the years we’ve seen this manifest in many different ways. Whether it’s losing weight and keeping it off, becoming a better parent or spouse, or gaining new perspectives about life that allows one to simply become a happier person, every fighter undergoes a transformation of some kind. I’ve even had the opportunity to see individuals with whom I spent my childhood sign up and commit themselves to our program. It has been amazing for me to witness their journey, but also to have the opportunity to become acquainted with the wonderful and complex adults these old childhood friends have grown into.As our community has grown, we find more and more alumni finding that their fight served as a sort of re-set experience for their life. Many have turned to us in an effort to find the next challenging experience, one that will push them outside their comfort zone and further their personal journey while also providing them an opportunity to continue to raise money to help us to scale our impact. However, alumni aren’t the only ones seeking to help. As our community keeps growing, we find ourselves receiving more and more inquiries from people beyond our immediate base who love what we do and want to support us, but for a variety of reasons are not able to fight.We have proven that Haymakers is successful in its mission to challenge and push our participants to their limits, to scale its fundraising potential to millions annually, and to catalyze change. Through Haymakers, we have found an unconventional way to link two seemingly unrelated things – boxing and the fight against cancer – and to transform them into a highly successful vehicle that has direct and indirect social impact. Our community has grown, and with that growth, we now seek to expand the scope of what we do to provide people with amazing experiences that serve a social good.So naturally, 10 years later, here I am, about to do the only thing that makes sense to me in order to open up our mission to include those who are unable to fight. In a sense, I am setting out to do the thing that I started Haymakers for Hope to avoid doing: run my first marathon. I am setting out to do so alongside my co-founder Julie and five other H4H Alumni as part of the inaugural H4H running team. We were fortunate enough to acquire bibs for the 124th running of the Boston Marathon, and I realized that if I was willing to literally fight for a cure for cancer 10 years ago, then it was time to face that nagging fear and run 26.2 miles for a cure. This is something I never thought I would do, but then again, I didn’t grow up thinking I would fall in love with boxing, and I certainly never saw my career taking the turn it did to Haymakers. Life can be funny like that. We’re about 6 weeks into training and I have to say, I am absolutely loving it. I’ve been waking up at 4:30am everyday to run and train, and so far in 2020, I’ve run more miles than I’ve driven! I find myself obsessing about gear, my training plan, how I’m going to fit in my workouts around the responsibilities of work and home just like I used to obsess about my boxing training. We have a fantastic team of Haymakers alumni, a great coach, and we are having a blast. I fell in love with boxing and Trinity Boxing Club in 2007 and now I’m falling in love with running and training again in 2020 as we prepare for the Boston Marathon. Going through the Haymakers journey can be a life changing experience for our participants, but without a doubt it’s also been a life changing experience for me. Over the last ten years the organization has meant so many things to me, and I owe so much of my personal and professional growth to the organization. I’ve made amazing friends, witnessed some amazing mental and physical transformations, and am continually blown away by the good that this community is capable of having on the world. I honestly can’t believe it’s been ten years and I couldn’t be more excited for the next ten and what they bring! Thank you to everyone who has made Haymakers their own in ways both big and small, and I look forward to seeing where this incredible journey takes us all next. WRITTEN BY ANDREW MYERSON, H4H CO-FOUNDER
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Monday Feb 10, 2020
Rock 'N Rumble X: Austin Eichelberger
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble X in Boston on May 14th. 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 Austin Eichelberger, fighting out of Southpaw Boxing & Fitness.Where are you from? Derry, NHWhere’d you go to college? Northeastern University Did you play any sports growing up? Baseball, Football and CrewWhat do you do for work? NITCO Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I’ve always loved boxing from when I was young. I’ve always wanted to get in the ring but until now my life never went in that direction. Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? To ultimately give back, challenge myself and put a check on my bucket list. 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’m drawing my inspiration from the people around me and the ones that I’ve lost to cancer. Since starting this journey the amount of people that have opened up with their experiences and stories is heartbreaking and warming at the same time.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) Down time is and has been to most difficult thing to give up. Days, when I spent time doing leisure activities, are now spent training.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? Spending time with my 2 kids is where I spend most of my free free time. I am thankful it’s not motorcycle season because that would be pulling at me if it was.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? My college buddies 100% and maybe an ex :)Check out his fundraising page and be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Austin!
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Monday Feb 10, 2020
Rock 'N Rumble X: Tom Walton
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble X in Boston on May 14th. 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 Tom Walton, fighting out of EverybodyFights.Where are you from? East Milton, MAWhere’d you go to college? Wake Forest Did you play any sports growing up? I played soccer, basketball and baseball, but never at a very high level. I did crush intramural softball in college though. I even took my college roommate, Tim King, yard one time after I looked off numerous terrible pitches from him. I’m just imagining the look on his face as he reads this, he thinks he threw a few strikes, but the ump didn’t agree. Please still donate TK!What do you do for work? I work in the Corporate Development group at Iron Mountain. Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? I’ve always enjoyed watching boxing, but never imagined I’d actually be stepping into the ring. Four years ago I took a bags class at EverybodyFights and thought it was one of the best workouts I had ever done, so I joined the gym. Little did I know that my attempts to stay in mediocre shape would lead to me discovering the Haymakers for Hope organization and all the good that they do, and eventually stepping into the ring myself. Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? I love going to the gym and getting in a good sweat. So I figured if I could take something that I enjoyed, and turn it into a way to raise money for such a great cause through a great organization, it was an absolute no brainer. You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? Everyone’s hatred for cancer is personal, it’s a disease that affects everyone whether you’re the one fighting it yourself, fighting with a family member, or watching other people fight. It’s a disease that takes good people from the world far too early. In my family, it took my grandmother (dad’s mom) from us before she got to know her only son’s three boys. We lost her in the ‘80s. Cancer research and treatment has come so, so far since that time, because of the professionals that dedicate their lives to fighting the disease and because of the funds raised to drive research. My hope is that future generations don’t have to talk about people they’ve lost to cancer, and I saw this as a great way to contribute. If all I have to do is get reminded very frequently by my coach how bad I am at boxing and how weak I am, and get punched in the face a whole lot because I can’t seem to figure out if I don’t keep my head back, it gets punched, then I’m all in!What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) Beer, 100%. My ideal Saturday afternoon is posting up a local brewery, playing with as many of the dogs in attendance as I can, and trying all the new beers they have. Having to reduce (unlikely I can completely cut it out) my consumption of those tasty 16 ounce tall boys from Trillium, Vitamin Sea, and Widowmaker is going to prove to be my biggest challenge in training.When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? During the warmer months, my fiancé and I can usually be found traveling through New England and doing as many outdoor activities as we can. We love to go north and go hiking and camping and to head out to the Cape where my parents live. When we’re on the Cape, we love going out over sand at the national seashore and hitting the Cape Cod Rail Trail.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? I’m glad the question isn’t around everyone who is excited. Most excited? I’d have to say one of my long time best friends, Sam. Every time the fight comes up in conversation (and I bring it up a lot, because I’m working out way more than her) she gets this smirk on her face, and I know it’s because she’s dying to see me eat a few punches. She’s actually even hit me in the face herself, and gotten me hit in the face. So there’s a track record there. Oh, and I can’t forget my buddy’s cat, Yenne. While I’ve never sparred a human before, Yenne and I spar every time I visit them in Portland. I think he takes it personally, he always hisses at me during it, he’ll definitely be bummed he can’t sneak his way into the fight and watch me get KO’ed.Check out his fundraising page and be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Tom!
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Monday Feb 3, 2020
Rock 'N Rumble X: Kara Hanover-Martin
During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble X in Boston on May 14th. 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 Kara Hanover-Martin, fighting out of UFC Gym.Where are you from? Camillus, NYWhere’d you go to college? Bentley, Syracuse, and Boston University Did you play any sports growing up? Softball, Soccer, Lacrosse, and BasketballWhat do you do for work? Personal Trainer Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting? Boxing looks hard and I love a challenge, so I thought I’d give it a try. I’ve never pictured myself fighting before, but I’m picturing it now! Why on earth did you sign up to fight?? I like challenging myself physically and mentally and learning new skills. It's also a fantastic way to pair my love of exercise with philanthropy. I'm willing to take some punches if it will help the fight against cancer. You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you? My nana passed away from cancer when I was in high school. It happened very fast and I wasn't prepared to lose her. She was an amazing human - always so supportive and loving.What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?) Weekend brunches with all the carbs!When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have? Anything active - running, skiing, tennis, walking my dog Elle. And watching terrible TV - mostly murder shows.Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night? I imagine there is a pretty long list of people looking forward to this. Apparently, not everyone appreciates my witty sarcasm!Check out her fundraising page and be sure to wish her luck! Best of luck, Kara!
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