Week 1: So... I'll be boxing to raise money for cancer research.
Hi friends,
Most of you know me for my healthcare and biotech updates… but I have a very exciting but random update. I will be boxing for Haymakers for Hope on Oct 9 in Boston to raise money for cancer charities: My fighter profile.
Haymakers for Hope is a charity that selects amateur boxers to train for public large boxing events to raise money and awareness. To prepare for each event, participants like me will go through a grueling 4 month process to train in fight camp and raise as much money as possible for cancer charities.
This year has been difficult for the scientific community in general. Without going too much into it, this year I felt really out of control. I faced a lot of fear and uncertainty. At one point - I just felt numb. Training in martial arts made me feel again. It allowed me a structure for discipline where I could channel my energies into somatic flow, it made me concentrate and think on the spot. In a world of hunt or be hunted of martial arts, I learned to strike and fight for myself.
In my day job, I am still very passionate about working in oncology therapeutics. I have been at it for four years now. I am focused in my goal, and trying to ignore everything else going on. I've always relied on my BRAIN to find a therapy, but now I am practicing using BRAWN. Biotech operator by day, boxer by night.
The fight camp is very physically demanding. Boston just had a heat wave, I was training in 103F weather boxing just last night. Right now my schedule is 5x a week boxing, 2x a week strength & conditioning, 1 day rest. My coach told me that by August, I would need to 2x/day. Which means 6am before work strength & conditioning, then 8pm boxing/sparring.
I'm on this personal journey to transform. I hope to be a much stronger, resilient, and (much much fitter) person after this. Would love to share the lessons along the way, and hope you can join me in the journey. And if you're in Boston on Oct 9, we're getting a group together so come watch!
Cheers,
Katherine