Day 72: A Calm Morning and an Intense Return to the Mats

A Quiet and Easy Start

Day 72 was a Sunday, and I started the day with a cold shower, invigorating myself, and then headed to school. On the way, I did my breathing exercises to settle my mind and prepare myself for the day ahead.

Students did not attend because other schools were closed and there were no exams scheduled for that day. Only teachers were present, and we arrived early as usual at 6.30. The usually bustling hallways felt eerily silent, which provided a unique opportunity to reflect and appreciate the special moments at school.

Work was light, and my supervisor arrived shortly thereafter to check the exams I had already corrected. He gave me a few remarks, and that was it. We finished about an hour earlier than usual, which made the day feel even lighter and gave me an unexpected sense of freedom.

With no pressure and no stress weighing on my shoulders, I truly enjoyed the calm of the day. Once done, I went home, rested comfortably, and appreciated the rare feeling of a smooth workday that allowed me to unwind entirely without distractions.

Rest and Preparation

Since we finished earlier than usual, I had ample time to enjoy my afternoon. I took my usual nap, letting the exhaustion of the week melt away, and woke up feeling completely refreshed and ready to tackle whatever came next. I ate a solid meal, rich in proteins and carbohydrates, and felt mentally and physically prepared to train. It had been a full week since I last attended wrestling and MMA classes, and I was eager to get back on the mat and reconnect with my training.

Wrestling and MMA Session

The class was packed to capacity, which created an electric atmosphere. More than twenty five dedicated individuals showed up, all eager to merge their skills and camaraderie into what was surely going to be an intense training session. The intensity was high from the very beginning, and you could sense the anticipation and excitement stirring within the group.

The first hour was extremely demanding. We engaged in various activities, including running, jumping, squats, crab walks, hand walks, rolls, sprawls, and knee slides. Stretching followed, focusing on every part of the body including legs, feet, arms, wrists, neck, back, and hips to ensure we were limber and ready. Even during the warm up, many people struggled to keep pace, especially with the acrobatic movements that involved quick reflexes and coordination. I was not perfect, but I kept trying. Even when I failed, I repeated the movement instead of stopping, determined to improve.

The coach joined us after the initial warm up, which was expertly led by a top student. We then moved into shadow boxing combined with sprawls and knee attacks, pushing our limits and testing our stamina. Once finished, we geared up fully with head guards, gloves, and protection, creating a serious yet exciting environment of preparation.

Sparring and Learning

We began sparring with different partners as we rotated through the class. Standing exchanges felt strong for me, as I found my rhythm and strategy. On the ground, I still have room to improve, but the difference compared to before is clear; I no longer feel lost. I know how to defend and how to make someone tap out when the opportunity is there, which boosts my confidence immensely.

Using boxing gloves instead of MMA gloves made gripping difficult, yet I worked with what I had, adapting to the challenges that presented themselves. I won some rounds and lost others, but overall, I felt I succeeded more than I failed. Each round taught me valuable lessons and reinforced my commitment to the craft.

At one point, in a moment of miscalculation, I accidentally kneed a partner in the groin while aiming for the stomach. It was not intentional, and thankfully it was not serious. We handled it calmly and continued with the sparring session after he took a moment to rest and regain his composure.

We completed several rounds, each lasting five minutes of relentless work followed by one minute of rest. Later, we moved into closed guard drills without gear. I performed well early on, but my right calf cramped again, forcing me to rest briefly before rejoining the group. The struggle was real, but so was my determination to push through the discomfort.

Feedback and Conditioning

One training partner shared with me that he has been training for nine months and admitted that my standing game and blocking techniques were better than his, though he agreed I still need to improve on the ground to reach my full potential. That feedback meant a lot to me, and I appreciated the honesty and camaraderie within the group.

We ended the session with conditioning drills and pushups, including slow and controlled variations that brought us incredibly close to the floor. The session lasted about two hours and twenty minutes, long yet rewarding. I was left feeling exhausted, sweating heavily, and yet deeply satisfied with my efforts and the progress I had made.

Recovery and Reflection

After training, I took whey protein and creatine as part of my recovery regimen, went home, took a cold shower despite the freezing weather, ate a proper post workout meal, and finally, settled down to go to bed, ready to recharge for the next day.

Day Seventy Two Lesson

Progress shows when effort stays consistent. Even after time away, commitment and intensity bring results. Today reminded me that improvement is not solely about winning every round but about showing up, pushing limits, and learning from every position one finds themselves in. Every struggle is an opportunity for growth.

Day 72 complete. The grind continues, and I am eager to see what I will achieve next.

👉 What part of training challenges you the most, standing exchanges or groundwork, and how do you work on improving it? I encourage you to share your experiences and insights as we all navigate this journey together.