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In Round One, I link competitive boxing matches and everyday matches, specifically, Anxiety Rising.
I see the link between competitive boxing matches and an Anxiety Rising match as an elliptical path. I pace this path in my cottage, a boxer at one end and Anxious at the other. It’s a form of roadwork, using the repetitious movement to level up my muscle organization readout. Highly trained boxers tune out the outer, surface world to sink into their inner instincts. Anxiety and fear must be contained, and the energy channeled into expertise. But, getting in shape to intentionally and respectfully meet up with Anxiety Rising is another level.
I’ve invested in covering anxiety by ignoring it, turning up the positive vibes, or outright dismissal. It’s a good thing I know this about myself. I rough out a basic strengthening circuit. The first station, ignoring anxiety, revealed limited diaphragm activity — the elevator mainly stayed at the top. My eyes get bright, and I put out a hand as if to redirect acknowledgment. I organized a movement sequence that worked the range from ignoring to acknowledging.
