Let's Get Down to the Nitty Gritty... 

My name is Michele - I am 32 years old and from Marlborough, Massachusetts.  I work as a full time registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit.  Aside from my full time job as a nurse, I also work as a kickboxing instructor throughout the week during the day time hours.  Nurse by night, and bada$$ kickboxer by day!  I love both of my jobs for different reasons but one thing they do have in common is my passion for helping others.    

Am I Crazy? 

Of course I am! Who isn't crazy to sign up to LITERALLY get punched in the face?!  I NEVER pictured myself getting into the ring to BOX let alone, FIGHT. I started kickboxing about 5 years ago as a way to stay active but more importantly, as a way to gain confidence.  Never the outgoing type - always shy - kickboxing was certainly out of my comfort zone.  Fast forward about a year later - now, training to become an instructor.  Certainly NEVER something I would ever see myself doing - that required being loud, confident, outgoing - you name it!  It's been 3 years now, and I love it!  It was time to step out of my comfort zone, and into the ring.  

What/Who Is Your "Why?" for Jumping in the Ring?

Easy answer. My Nana.  This coming October would have been my grandmother's 80th birthday.  Approximately 10 years ago, my Nana lost her battle with breast cancer.  It started off as a promising prognosis - her initial treatment was successful.  She went into remission and thought everything was fine.  Later on, her initial breast cancer diagnosis came back with avengeance - this time metastasizing to her bones and later to her brain, which required her to go through further chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and surgeries.  My Nana was the glue to my family.  She was the strongest person and STRONGEST woman I knew.  When I heard about Haymakers for Hope several years back, my immediate thought was I HAVE TO SIGN UP!  It was a perfect opportunity to show my grandmother that I could be that STRONG and INDEPENDENT woman, but also FIGHT for her and everyone else who doesn't get the choice or maybe even the choice to fight when diagnosed with cancer.  This was my 4th attempt at signing up for Haymakers - up until now, I wasn't matched with an appropriate opponent.  This year was meant to be!  It's time to #KOCancer!