‘My tummy fizzed with excitement and nerves!’
Jennifer Bailey, 44, is CEO of Calla Shoes and lives in Warrington with her husband Gary, 42.
Gingerly peeling off my gym clothes, I eyed the black-and-blue skin all down my sides and legs. ‘Good night?’ my husband Gary asked. ‘Really good,’ I beamed back.
Getting kicked and punched isn’t everyone’s idea of fun but, since taking up kickboxing four years ago, I have to admit, I absolutely love it!
REAL PASSION
I’ve always been sporty, ever since I played netball and hockey at school. But when I did a taster class of taekwondo, aged 25, I discovered my real passion. I loved the disciplined, traditional moves of the martial art, but also the mental aspect of having to concentrate completely on what you were doing. Going twice a week, I found it a great way to release stress – and stay fit.
But over the years, I found that I seemed to be getting worse at it, not better, as I became older and less agile. ‘I need a new challenge,’ I said to Gary, as I approached my 40th birthday.
For years, I’d thought about trying kickboxing but, as you were allowed to punch and kick, I’d worried about the injuries I might face, quite literally, head on.
FULL OF ADRENALIN
However as I hit my milestone birthday, I realised if I didn’t give it a go now, I never would. So, my tummy fizzing with excitement and nerves, I signed up for my first class.
I loved it as much as I thought I would! It was a whole different level of fitness, but thankfully my previous training gave me the stamina to keep up.
And although I had my concerns about sparring, it wasn’t as bad as I’d worried. You wear boxing gloves, which dull the impact, and a head guard to protect you from serious injuries. Plus, you are so full of adrenalin, you only feel the bumps and bruises afterwards.
This year, I even signed up for a national sparring competition – and I’m delighted to say I beat my opponent!
I’m so glad I found my inner Rocky and gave kickboxing a fighting chance.
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‘I LOVED IT AS MUCH AS I THOUGHT I WOULD’