A boxing match is won or lost in the training. The early morning runs, hours of hitting the heavy bag, round after round of sparring people better than you; it’s mentally and physically draining - but so is life. There’s a mental toughness that’s required to endure the work, but with it comes a confidence that you can accomplish anything.  Last year, my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and while the prognosis was very good, at the time all I heard was “cancer”. In what felt like fate, after not originally making the lineup for Rock N Rumble X, I was called up and asked to step in about halfway through training camp. I was ready, I was excited, I was on vacation in Colombia and ready to come back and give it my everything. Then the world shut down… I was so disappointed that this bout was going to be delayed a few weeks, then a few months and then indefinitely. As someone who benefits from a routine and enjoys having a plan, I struggled with my mental health during the onset of the pandemic. Fortunately, I was able to continue my training and used it as a mental escape through all the uncertainty. Fast forward, my Dad has almost finished all of his treatment and is in remission. I couldn’t be more thankful for the wonderful medical team that took care of my dad and to all the frontline workers that went above and beyond this past year and a half while I was in the safety of my apartment.