Sometimes in training we get frustrated. Whether its with hitting a plateau, or feeling like we just can’t hit a certain technique. I’ve found that most times both of these frustrating occurrences sprout from over thinking. The mind is an incredible tool. Often it is also our worst enemy. It’s my belief that the majority of our actually fighting occurs within our self. For example, in class when a technique is taught, and you feel like you can’t do it smoothly, or fast enough. Many times you’ll look around the room and see others hitting it effortlessly, this is where we sometimes allow doubt in our abilities to settle in. That doubt stems from Pride, pride has no place in Martial Arts. A Martial Artist must confident. If you allow Pride into your training you also allow yourself, a way to BEATEN by your OWN mind.  Before you step onto the mat to begin your training, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let go of everything. Let nothing else exist outside of the task in front of you, increasing your Martial Arts Knowledge, and more importantly your confidence in your ability and self.

 Confidence can be harder to come by, and is obtained through time. It’s not something you can immediately download into your system. What you can be confident in right away (if you allow yourself), is that you will hit the technique, or get to the level you want to be at in time. Allow yourself to be confident in the fact you will never stop pushing forward until you reach that goal. Also it’s important to move slowly through each step. Not because you can’t do it quickly, but to understand each piece, and each movement. Have knowledge of your technique and ability, know everything there is to know about it. Don’t allow Pride to creep in and slow your progress. In the video attached to this blog you will see that even I am guilty of allowing Pride to get in the way.

 During My trip to Thailand I was fortunate to work with Pornsonae Sitmonchai. Instead of taking my time and focusing on the movement, I rushed into the punches. In my mind I wanted to impress him with my speed and power, but allowing Pride to enter my training made me look like a common beginner. As you will  see in the video Pornsonae stops, tells me to shake out my shoulders, and also repeatedly reminds me to rotate into my strikes. This is probably comical to my students as that is most likely the thing I point out to them the most! We are all guilty of letting pride creep in. Pride only creates frustration. Let go of your pride and allow yourself to learn free of your minds enemy.

 Coach Jason

This event would serve as an introduction of Level Up to the Kickboxing world. Although the results were mixed, the gyms reputation was well presented. We can not express enough how grateful we are to Brian Crenshaw for having our team on this card. We are excited to be back on future Combat Sports Challenge cards. Level Up would also like to thank all the friends, family, and teammates for coming out to support. We had over 30 people in attendance for the event. Some drove from as far away as Kentucky and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Your continued support means more than you can imagine to Jared, Will, and Coach Jason.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jared “The Diamond” Tipton of Level Up Boxing and Fitness made his boxing debut over the weekend and was successful in his first outing. Jared is an up and coming Kick Boxer who under the guidance of his head Coach Jason Farrell decided to take a boxing fight to increase his experience in that particular area. He would take on a much more experienced boxer than he, and although hit a rough patch in the first round stormed his way through every second of the fight to secure a unanimous decision victory. The event was held at Club 1 Fitness, a staple in Pro and Amateur boxing here in Maryland. Run under the Jeter Promotions banner by WBC World Ranked Pro Boxer Tony Jeter. Tipton would be the first bout of the evening and as always got the night started off right. The action was back and forth as the two young fighter exchanged heavy blows with little to no lulls in the action. During round one Jared was caught off balance and fell to the canvas. He returned to action like a man possessed and fired a flurry of combinations while also slipping big shots from his opponent. In the end of the 3 rounds The Diamonds hands were raised and his presence was now known in a new world.

When asked about his experience Jared commented “It was a great fight. I was excited to see how my boxing held up against someone who compared to me is a specialist in that area. I’m not sure how much boxing I’ll do in the future but I feel like I have a new found respect for my abilities. It will be hard to find a kick boxer that can match me with boxing after feeling that level of competition. I plan to show all my future kick boxing opponents the difference in my training and theirs. My Coach has always told us that we will have better boxing than other Muay Thai and Kick Boxing fighters, tonight I can say I truly believe that to be true. I can’t wait to get back in the ring.” Jared’s biggest disappointment about the fight was having to shave his beard, a rule he will not have to consider going back to his roots in kickboxing.

Coach Jason Farrell commented on the fight as well. “Jared fought great, his style is perfect for boxing, he makes people miss, and throws all his punches in 3 to 4 punch combinations. I knew when he got clipped in the first round he was going to be pissed. I wasn’t worried though. He is one of the toughest kids I know. He is at the beginning of an incredible career as a fighter. He is also a fantastic coach and will  create great fighters when he is done with competition. Jared is like a little brother to me, so every time he steps in the ring I feel like I’m in there with him. Win, lose or draw I know I can count on him to give to everything he has, every second of every round. He’s an inspiration to us all here at Level Up.”

The Level Up Team would like to send a special Thanks to Tony Jeter of Jeter Promotions for putting Jared on this amazing card. Jared was one of only three Amateur fights at the event. As always the show ran like a well oiled machine and was packed with exciting match ups that kept the crowd on its feet from bell to bell. We feel truly blessed to be a part of what Jeter Promotions is building.