January 20, 2008 * 2nd Lesson

In “What About Bob”, Dr. Leo Marvin encourages his client - Bill Murray - to engage in “Baby Steps” while conquering fear.

One might say my foray into boxing is “baby steppin’ (see video above). Still, I’m afraid of getting punched. Actually that’s not true. I’m scared of pain and blood…my own. If a punch didn’t hurt, I wouldn’t mind it so much. Yet my boxing teacher is trying to encourage us to accept the “you give a punch, you receive a punch” reality of boxing (and perhaps life). He notices my fearful stance. He tells me:

“You’ve got height, use it! Stop slouching”

and…

“Punch like you mean it.”

But I don’t mean it. Years of bullying, and an over-reliance on running and hiding have taken their toll. He’s doing what every pro knows, from Steven Pressfield to Mahatma Gandhi: Face your fear. In box-talk this would mean:

• Don’t slouch
• Look your opponent in the eye
• Punch to cause pain

So when it’s time to hit the punching bag, I do what he says. Which is easy because it’s a bag, and not some dude with a norepinephrine rush and big biceps. Still, I’m “baby steppin’” and I’m “doin’ the work”.

Here I am, wiped and victorious after beating up a bag.