In a previous post, I talked about “the reality of wanting to fight” and the fact that most people underestimate how hard these sports can be.
In reality, competing in these sports isn’t for everyone. Nonetheless, me and some other fighters tell others to try it at least once. Why? Because it’s the ultimate test of character. You can gain a lot by competing in combat sports.
Other sports are hard as well, but they don’t test your character as much. Not in the buildup, and not in the aftermath.
In the majority of sports, things are very similar. You learn a skill and compete once you are skilled enough.
Obviously, all the competitors want to win. But when they lose, the consequences aren’t that bad. Besides being disappointed or frustrated, you’d be able to go again the next day if you wanted to.
With combat sports, things are a bit different. Deep down, you know what the consequences could be. That potential for getting badly hurt is what makes people extremely nervous or even anxious.
I’ve seen fighters eat themselves alive a week before going into the ring. I’ve seen fighters puke because they were so stressed. Some of them ran away the day before the fight.
Things go downhill rather quickly when you cannot control your reactions to how you think the day(s) or the week before the fight.
That is the tricky thing about competing in combat sports. You can acknowledge that you might get hurt, but you can’t be scared of getting hurt.
Because you’ll give yourself the kiss of death if you feed this fear of what could potentially happen too much.
This is why combat sports are both a mental and physical challenge. This makes them ideal as a rite of passage.
It’s a rite of passage, in a way.
Combat sports could serve as a rite of passage. It turns boys into men, but only if the other parts of their lives aren’t neglected.
You will learn how to improve as an individual while facing challenges. If you don’t, you’ll only have bad experiences and might have permanent health issues.
But as mentioned before, combat sports are both mental and physical. Most people always train the physical part but never the mental part.
Because of this, some break mentally before they even step into the ring. Others stop after one fight; imagine not being able to walk for a week because someone low-kicked your leg until it was black from all the bruising.
Or getting cut. Once, I saw a guy freeze after he got cut. He couldn’t move anymore. He talked about it for weeks on end.
Because of this, it becomes the ultimate test of character.
Because it’s real, you can’t hide. You can only show your true color’ under those bright lights?
Because what’ll happen if things don’t go the way you imagined them? You’ll have to show your true character.
In the end, combat sports challenge you to be better.
Combat sports challenge you to show your character but they will also help you to build character.
Give it a shot. You can always become strong if you’re not strong in the beginning.
You won’t regret it.
Until next time
Alex
Thinking about coming to Thailand to train and fight Muay Thai but don’t know where to start. In my e-book, I cover everything you need to know before coming over here to give you the best experience possible.
Check out my Muay Thai e-book on Gumroad.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram.
