Day 30: Early Starts, Late Finishes, and the Relentless Grind

A Reluctant Morning

Today began even earlier than usual, almost as if the world had conspired to wake me up ahead of time. I’ve had supervision duty all week, and to be honest, I woke up exhausted, like a balloon that had lost almost all its air. I didn’t sleep enough to recharge my batteries, but there was no room for excuses. Even though I was running late and scrambling to find my shoes, I refused to skip my cold shower, that little ritual that momentarily shocks my system awake. It’s more than just routine; it’s part of how I reset my mind and prepare for the whirlwind of the day ahead.

I rushed out the door, half-awake but determined, feeling the weight of the day creep onto my shoulders. It’s Sunday, so technically my workload should’ve been lighter, allowing me a moment to breathe. But with supervision duties looming before school, during the break, and even after classes ended, it didn’t feel like a day off at all. It felt more like a race, and I was already behind.

I told myself it would be a slow and easy day, one where I could take a moment to catch my breath. I was wrong. The hours unfolded with a surprising tempo that challenged my expectations, and before I knew it, I was engulfed in a flurry of tasks.

Unexpected Changes at Work

Late last night, as I groggily scrolled through my messages, we received a surprise announcement from the administration: for the next two weeks, we’ll pause the curriculum to focus on a remedial plan, a strategy aimed at helping students strengthen their basic skills. This change, while well-meaning, felt like a sudden shift in the ground beneath my feet.

In theory, it sounds great, the kind of progressive adjustment that would benefit many students who struggle. Yet, in reality, it meant everything I’d meticulously prepared for the upcoming weeks was suddenly rendered useless. All those lesson plans, the countless hours of work I poured into crafting engaging and insightful classes, gone in a single announcement as if they were merely a fleeting thought. I laughed bitterly at the irony.

That hit me hard, magnifying a sense of frustration within me, the kind that makes you feel like you’ve wasted effort. Yet, this is part of the job we signed up for. You adapt or fall behind. I decided, resolutely, to adapt and make the best of a new situation.

Still, I noticed something positive amidst all that chaos, my website had started getting a few visitors. Not many, but better than zero, which has always been a more demoralizing number. It’s small progress, but progress nonetheless, and that little glimmer of hope kept my spirits from plummeting.

The day moved slowly after that initial onslaught. I supervised classes, taught lessons, helped students with their struggles, and waited for the final bell with an eagerness that I hadn’t felt earlier. By the time the last student left, I felt utterly drained, like a marathon runner who has given everything to cross the finish line. I headed home, exhausted but accomplished, had a proper meal, and then crashed for a much-needed three-hour nap. It felt amazing, well-deserved and much needed after a day of emotional ups and downs.

Afternoon Reset and New Focus

When I woke up, I didn’t allow myself to fully relax. The cozy embrace of my bed whispered sweet temptations, but I went straight back to work, finishing blog updates, preparing new materials for the remedial plan, and making sure everything was ready for the next day. The motivation pushed me forward; I was on a mission.

Even though I was tired, both physically and mentally, I reminded myself that consistency builds momentum. The more I do, the better I get at balancing everything in my life. And by evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon casting warm hues across the sky, it was time to switch from “teacher mode” to “fighter mode.”

Evening Training: Wrestling Warm-Up and MMA Flow

At 8 PM, I was back at the gym for two sessions, wrestling first, then MMA. It felt good to step into that familiar space, invigorating in its energy. I arrived early enough to catch up with a few teammates, sharing stories and laughter, watching the juniors train. It’s always inspiring to see their focus and energy, a reminder that passion drives us all forward in our respective disciplines.

We started with our warm-up: rolls, burpee sprawls, knee slides, and a series of leg-raising movements, forward, backward, and sideways. Then came the interesting twist: we paired up for partner carries, alternating single-leg and double-leg lifts. It was fun, engaging, and just challenging enough to break a sweat without burning out, pushing the limits of our bodies while daring us to reach higher.

After about 45 minutes, we moved into drills, a rhythmic combination of punches, kicks, and takedowns. Single-leg, double-leg, break the stance, apply pressure, control the rhythm. It was technical, focused work, and every repetition built better coordination, turning similar motions into instinctual actions.

Sparring and Groundwork: Lessons in Pressure

When sparring time came, we geared up, full protection: head guards, shin guards, gloves, and wraps. I borrowed a head guard from the gym since mine hasn’t arrived yet, a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.

The coach told us not to focus on heavy punches or kicks but instead to emphasize grappling, a shift in mindset that can truly elevate our skill set. That changed the tone of the sparring entirely. I started with a strong partner, someone quick and technical who posed an interesting challenge. I got caught twice and tapped out, but I also learned from it. Every tap is a lesson, a building block to greater understanding.

Later, we switched to pure groundwork, no strikes, just control, positioning, and technique. My first partner was lighter, giving me an advantage early on, but then my calves started to cramp, probably from all the rope jumping in previous days that had caught up with me. It happened twice, forcing me to step back and stretch it out, recalibrating my focus.

Even while resting, I made the most of my time. I asked one of the guys who had submitted me earlier to show me the Kimura lock. He explained it clearly, breaking it down into manageable steps, and I practiced it a few times until I felt confident enough to incorporate it into my arsenal. It’s one of those small steps that can make a big difference later, a few movements that could potentially turn the tide in the heat of a match.

Future Goals and Final Push

Today, I also ordered my first Jiu-Jitsu Gi, which should arrive within a week. Once it does, I’ll start formal Jiu-Jitsu training. I’m already good at takedowns, confident in my strength, but I want to master submissions, the fine art of control and finish that comes from precision and technique.

We wrapped up the night with conditioning: sprawls, knee slides, and push-ups, 25 each, repeated four times. It was brutal but rewarding; each push counted toward my development. By the time we were done, two hours and forty minutes had passed, and I was completely spent, every limb heavy but every muscle satisfied.

I left the gym late, energized in a different, profound way, went home, grabbed a quick bite, took my cold shower, and went straight to bed. My body was tired, but my mind was steady, knowing I had tackled another day full of challenges and rewards.

Day 30 complete. Another day of exhaustion, lessons, and quiet victories. The grind doesn’t always feel glorious, but discipline is what keeps the journey alive. It’s easy to forget the little triumphs in the face of adversity, but they matter every bit as much.

👉 How do you stay committed when your plans change unexpectedly? What helps you push forward when fatigue hits harder than motivation? Every insight contributes to our collective understanding; I look forward to learning from your experiences.