Day 89: Choosing Focus and Learning Through Discomfort

Morning Fatigue and a Slow Start

Day 89 fell on a Wednesday, and by now waking up tired feels almost like a permanent state of being, something I am increasingly accustomed to. I got up knowing that I had not slept enough hours, but I still took it upon myself to start the day properly. I had my usual breakfast, which I savor every morning, alongside my customary supplements like Omega 3 and D3 K2, essential for my overall wellness. However, the weight of my body felt particularly heavy today, and the lack of sleep was noticeably impacting my alertness and energy from the very beginning of the day.

The day at work unfolded similarly to many others, adhering to the usual rhythm that I had come to expect. The morning began with an early teaching session, followed by my role in supervising during the break and coordinating exams. After that, I transitioned back to teaching again. Everything seemed predictable; however, fatigue decided to stick with me like a shadow, a constant reminder of my current state. All day long, I kept planning to do my breathing exercises at school instead of on the bus where I sometimes find it challenging to focus, because the environment is typically much calmer and helps significantly with my concentration. Yet, just like before, I forgot once again. It is becoming a repetitive pattern that I feel I desperately need to break.

Rest Before Training and a Clear Decision

As soon as I got home, I made it a priority to eat a proper meal and went straight to sleep with my head heavy on the pillow. I was utterly exhausted, and a clear thought crossed my mind: I knew I needed sufficient rest if I wanted to train later. My love for jiu jitsu is profound, and I know I need it badly to improve my MMA ground work further, but the early session combined with a double session today turned out to be unrealistic. I did not want to venture there already tired and risk poor performance or worse, injury, which loomed heavily over my mind.

I was fortunate enough to wake up naturally once my body felt somewhat rested, which was a wonderful sign. Thankfully, I still had ample time to prepare solely for boxing today, knowing that no jiu jitsu sessions awaited me. Before heading out to the gym, I made sure to take L citrulline, collagen, zinc, and vitamin C to support my performance and recovery, ensuring I was physically primed for what awaited.

Boxing Warm Up and Structured Drills

The boxing session lasted about one hour and a half, which felt just right. When I arrived, I immediately sensed that the warm-up was different from the usual routine I had grown accustomed to. We focused more intently on controlled movement, paying special attention to the wrists and hips; a thoughtful approach to prevent injuries and enhance our techniques. Abdullah, a fellow trainee not from MMA, led the first portion of the warm-up. Although he has not been training for a very long time, he trains consistently and showcases remarkable discipline, which made perfect sense for him to take that role. Eventually, the coach stepped in and guided the rest of the session, ensuring we were all on track.

We then transitioned into rope skipping and shadowboxing, repeating the cycle three times to ensure our heart rates were up and our bodies were loose. It felt incredibly smooth, and I made sure to focus on rhythm, balance, and breathing throughout. After that, we geared ourselves up for the challenging bag work ahead, knowing it would push us further.

Most of the people in the session were fairly new to boxing, which created an interesting dynamic. The drill structure was simple yet demanding. We started with light straight punches followed by powerful hooks, creating a flow that felt exhilarating. We threw strong hooks for one or two minutes, then transitioned to light punches for about thirty seconds. This cycle was repeated five or six times, keeping our energy levels high. The contrast between power and control throughout the drills was not only exhausting but also incredibly effective, enhancing our technique and stamina.

Pressure Drills and a Hard Body Shot

Next came the partner drill, which heightened the intensity of the session. One person leaned against the wall while the other focused on the crucial aspects of blocking and dodging. The attacking partner threw strong punches for thirty seconds, testing the limits of our defensive skills. My partner was notably light, incredibly fast, and showcased excellent technical skills. He dodged most of my punches with surprising agility, but I still managed to connect a few clean shots. He returned the favor when it was his turn.

At one point during this drill, he landed a hard punch to my lower side. It impacted my liver, and the effect was immediate and dire. I dropped to the floor, gasping for air and unable to catch my breath properly. I even dropped my mouthguard, a reminder of the fierce nature of the sport. For a few seconds, all I could focus on was catching my breath and regaining my composure. Thankfully, the boxing coach came to check on me, and after a short moment, I managed to recover and stood back up, ready to keep going.

That is simply part of training. Pain happens in various forms. You breathe through it and continue striving to improve yourself.

When it was my turn to apply pressure on my partner, I did not seek revenge. Absolutely not; instead, I focused mostly on head shots, strategically targeting the body only when openings appeared. The interesting part was that despite his evident speed and technique, my partner quickly ran out of breath. He asked several times for a pause to recover, which at first surprised me. I did not stop completely, however. I kept moving slowly and threw very light punches, just enough to keep the drill going without overwhelming him. Learning to work effectively under pressure is essential to becoming a better fighter.

Sparring, Conditioning, and Motivation

After we concluded the drills, we transitioned to light sparring with jabs only. The same young fighter, eager and spirited, showed strong punches and remarkable commitment. He connected a few shots but not as many as he intended. During our interaction, he told me that he is eighteen years old and has been training for three years, so he clearly has substantial potential. I encouraged him to participate in the upcoming tournament, as I believe he has a real chance to shine.

The session reached a climactic end with intense core and abs work. We formed a circle, with everyone counting reps together in unison. It was exhaustingly challenging, but the group energy was invigorating, pushing everyone to go through with it until the very last count.

During the conversations we had after training, I had an engaging discussion with Abdullah. He revealed to me that he trains six times a week and pushes himself through double sessions on Saturdays. He has a clear, focused goal, and that discipline he exhibits definitely shows in his performance. That conversation stuck with me and left a significant impression. I am now seriously considering focusing more on boxing from now on and increasing my consistency in training routines to achieve my goals more effectively.

Recovery and Reflection

After training, I made it a priority to consume my whey protein and creatine shake, understanding the importance of recovery. On my way home, I made a deliberate stop to buy some nutrition and supplements that would aid in my continued recovery and performance. Once home, I took a cold shower to invigorate and refresh myself, had a light snack, and finally settled down to rest, allowing my body to replenish itself from the rigorous demands of the day.

Day 89 was intense, painful at moments, and utterly exhausting, but it was also motivating in unique and unforeseen ways. It reminded me that discomfort is an integral part of growth, and that true focus comes from choosing our priorities wisely, not attempting to do everything all at once without purpose.

Day 89 Lesson

Today taught me yet another crucial lesson: choosing one discipline and giving it my full attention can be far more valuable than spreading my energy too thin across various pursuits. Fatigue, pain, and pressure are all teachers if you stay present and disciplined throughout the journey.

Day 89 complete. Focus sharpened, lessons learned, and the grind continues unyieldingly.

👉 When you feel exhausted, do you push through one focused session or choose to rest and recover?