You’ve heard who they are and why they’re fighting. But now that we’re over the halfway mark until the big night on May 17th, things have started to pick up a bit. Training is getting more intense. They’ve been punched in the face. Most have had a bloody nose here or there, their diets have changed, and boxing is becoming an everyday part of their lives. So we figured it was about time to check back in and see how things have been going. Ryan Hogan has been putting in work at EverybodyFights and below you’ll hear about his first time sparring and more about his experience with Haymakers thus far.

We’re halfway to fight night, how is your training coming along?
Overall, training is going well. There is still a lot of work to be done and it is constantly a humbling experience. Sometimes, it feels like you take one step back just to take two steps forward. The sport of boxing in general is extremely humbling; when you think you might be hitting all the right buttons, it hits you right back (literally). You really can't get complacent or let your guard down.

What is your weekly routine?
My weekly routine consists of a good mix of boxing, cross-training, and running. At the same time, it is also consists of being mindful and taking care of my body. It is a tough training regimen and listening to my body has become so important. There just isn't enough time to take a few weeks off to let an injury heal; so you really have to stay on top of injury prevention. Which can be a real struggle. I make sure to schedule a full day off each week to recover, but make sure on that day to still move around a bit and stretch things out. Sleep and diet are also super important for both fueling my workouts and aiding in recovery.

How has your diet changed since training began?
There haven't been too many significant changes to my diet since training began. I would say my meals are just more well balanced and I have upped my caloric intake due to the intensity of training. I have learned that the timing of when I eat is one of the most important aspects of my diet in order to properly fuel for my workouts and to recover after my workouts. I have also cut out alcohol, which has definitely helped with my sleep and recovery. This was probably the hardest change to my diet. But once you get through those first few weeks, it is fairly easy to maintain when you have a goal in mind. I will be making up for that after May 17th though I am sure!

Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected?
My first time sparring was pretty much what I expected. By that I mean, I expected to get hit and expected that it wouldn't feel good. I think the most surprising thing is just how quickly you can run out of gas. I felt like I was in great shape and I learned really fast that that doesn't necessarily translate to being in shape for the ring. You also spend a lot of time wondering why you can't get your body to do what your brain is telling it. It is just an entirely different type of body movement than we are used to outside of the ring. But with the right commitment it starts to slowly make sense and come together.

What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far?
The most challenging part has just been maintaining that consistency and balance for 4 months. You want to push yourself and train hard, but you also want to take care of your body in the process. Also, its a marathon not a sprint in some regards. You want to make sure that you don't burn yourself out early on and then need even more time to recover. That is where having a great group of trainers really helps. They make sure you stay on task and really understand the steps needed to prepare over these 4 months.

What does your family think of your participation?
My family is excited that I am participating. At first there were a lot of questions and some uncertainty, but that has changed as the process has gone on. I am sure most people have been in the same boat! My family and friends are definitely excited to attend the event and know just how hard I have been working.

It’s amazing how many people’s lives have been touched by cancer in some way - has there been anyone that has surprised you by their story?
One of the most amazing things about this experience is that when people find out you are participating they share their own personal stories - which can be so motivating. And in many cases, I had no idea that some people in my life (or their loved ones) had fought or are fighting battles with cancer. The most incredible stories are from the people who received the most dire of diagnoses and given almost no hope they scraped and clawed back. They sought out the right doctors and the right facilities and were determined not to give up hope. Sometimes hope is all we have - I can't imagine a world without that.

Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of your training?
Going in to this process my initial inspirations were all personal. By that I mean that my inspirations were the people in my life that have been impacted by cancer. And then of course part of my motivation was and still is to push myself both physically and mentally. However, as training as gone on I find myself inspired by all of the other fighters participating in this event. In my case, I have the pleasure of training with several other fighters and seeing the effort they put in, day after day, inspires me to push myself as well. But its also seeing all of the other fighters sharing their stories on social media or through blog posts that I find incredibly inspiring. At the end of the day, no matter what our differences may be, we are all doing this for similar reasons and are united by that.

Donate to Ryan or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VIII on May 17th here!