I’m a nerd. A jigsaw puzzler. A knitter.  

And now, strangely, I’m a boxer.

I started boxing last Christmas, around the time my father’s mental and physical health began to seriously decline. I decided to try my hand—to relieve the stress, and keep myself busy.

My father was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia about 4 years ago. And it’s entirely possible—likely, even—that during the course of my H4H training, he’ll succumb to the disease. So I’m fighting for him, and for myself as I cope with his loss.

That said, we’re also not strangers to cancer in my family; we’ve seen firsthand what it can do. Just as significantly, my friend Sam runs an amazing nonprofit, the Samfund (www.thesamfund.org), which supports young adults struggling financially because of cancer.

I’m excited to help KO Cancer, with 100% of my straight donations benefitting the Samfund. I’m excited to get in the best shape of my life and learn how to pose for fighter-y photos. And I’m excited to do this for my father—even though I’m pretty sure he would just reprimand me for using poor judgment. Wouldn’t be the first time.