Day 32: Fighting Fatigue and Finding Focus

Early Mornings and Relentless Duties

Today began before dawn once again; it seems the early morning hours have become an unwelcome yet familiar companion in my routine. I woke up earlier than usual for school supervision duty; the same monotonous routine I’ve been following tirelessly all week without pause. By 6 a.m., I was already at school, feeling tired and underslept, my body pleading for just a few more minutes of slumber. Last night, like many others in this never-ending cycle, I struggled to fall asleep. I lay awake, restless and anxious, my mind refusing to settle even when my body begged for the much-needed rest that would help me face the long day ahead.

The day at school was long and draining, an endless barrage of noise and distraction. My students were unruly today as usual, more than I had ever anticipated. They were loud, distracted, and completely disinterested in writing, which was supposed to be the central focus of our carefully crafted remedial plan. I tried my best to keep them on track, employing all my patience and understanding, but nothing seemed to work. It was one of those particularly challenging days where I just found myself counting the hours until I could finally leave this chaotic environment and exhale a sigh of relief.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t just pack up and leave when I wished. I had supervision duties during the break and after classes ended, so I had to stay until the very last student left the campus. By the time I was finally done with my responsibilities, I felt completely exhausted; both mentally and physically drained from the constant effort required to maintain order and provide a meaningful learning experience.

A Short Break Before the Grind Resumes

When I got home, I immediately crashed onto the couch, my body collapsing as if it had been carrying an enormous weight all day long. I slept for only two hours, but even that short nap was incredibly refreshing and gave me a much-needed boost. After waking up groggily, I had a good meal to refuel and mentally prepare myself for what was next; the training session that would push my limits.

Despite the overwhelming fatigue and the low motivation that seemed to cling to my bones, I made the decision to go to the gym for wrestling and MMA practice. I was a bit late, but luckily, they had just started warming up when I arrived, so I could jump right in without missing too much.

The Training Never Stops

Warm-up routines are becoming second nature now; sprawls, running, rolls, crab walks, and full-body stretches have become a sort of ritual before I embark on my training. We had a lead student conducting the warm-up this time, someone different from last week's session, which brought a fresh perspective. The class started small, maybe ten people at most, but as the minutes ticked by, more joined in until we reached around sixteen eager participants, all ready to push themselves further.

After 25 minutes of stretching and mobility work, the coach joined us and swiftly turned things up a notch. More sprawls. More knee slides. Then came the exhilarating shadowboxing drill; we began with just the movement only, then gradually moved into jabs, jab-cross combos, hooks, kicks, and knees; it was the full sequence designed to build our agility and focus.

Following that came the partner drills; reaction exercises, quick touches, and switching partners every minute to stay sharp and engaged. Then, a short break allowed us to grab our gloves and gear up, except for the headguards this time, which felt slightly freeing.

We practiced three main combos the coach demonstrated; a jab followed by a low kick, then a cross and a high kick leading to a single-leg takedown. Each move required precision and timing, and the adrenaline in the room made it even more exhilarating. Then came the wall drills: jab to the face, jab to the stomach, jab-cross-hook, push against the wall, sweep the leg; all carefully designed to teach us control and coordination, the foundations of combat.

Grinding Through the Final Round

By the end of the session, the coach divided us into groups for a final challenge. I was paired with the top student, the one preparing for his upcoming fight, which added an extra layer of intensity to our training. The coach instructed me to follow his rigorous routine, which focused on bag work on the floor. We threw strong punches, left, right, left, right, followed by quick bursts and freestyle ground strikes: hammer fists, elbows, and side punches; it was an unrelenting pace that tested my endurance.

It was intense; my arms were burning, sweat dripping everywhere, soaking my shirt through, yet it felt rewarding to push my body to its limits. While others practiced ground control near the wall, I pushed through every rep, even when everything in my body wanted to stop. The coach checked on everyone, offering feedback and encouragement, which made a world of difference, especially on a day when my energy reserves were running critically low.

The Battle After Training

When the training finally ended, it was already late. I rushed home, trying to save every precious minute, showered quickly, ate in haste, and tried to get ready for bed. My body screamed for rest, but my mind still buzzed with noise, racing with thoughts of the day and the training. Sometimes I wonder, if I don’t rest properly, what’s the point of training? But then again, maybe that’s just the fatigue talking, trying to sway me into a state of inaction.

No matter how tired I get, I know one thing for sure, this is the path I chose, and I’ll walk it, step by step, with determination, until I reach where I’m truly meant to be. This journey is more than just physical; it’s a testament to resilience.

Day 32 complete. Another long, demanding day; but every struggle builds endurance, every repetition builds strength. Some victories are quiet, found in the simple act of showing up when you least feel like it. The grind continues, and with it, my spirit grows stronger.

👉 How do you find the will to keep going when exhaustion hits? What drives you to show up even when motivation fades? Because I believe within every challenge lies an opportunity for growth.