A cornerman is much more than JUST a cornerman!!! Most of these images were captured while training at Seong Hea's Martial Arts Academy in Buffalo Grove, Il.

I would say it takes a village to help train me in boxing/kickboxing. I would say that because, even though I pride myself on being a tough tomboy, deep down the secret is, I am a girl hahaha. I have these intense emotions that sometimes creep up on me and I will start crying out of frustration while I'm sparring, I'll keep going, but there will be tears running down my face. These guys help me brush it off and continue to move forward.

Training for a contact sport like boxing/kickboxing takes a certain mind frame and confidence that is pretty hard to put into words. It takes the right people around you that you can believe in that will have your best interest at heart. I Guess you could say it is with anything you put your heart and soul into. Will I be successful? Will I do well? Will I disappoint them? "Them" mainly being my coaches, my family the people around me. 

Haircut/Jim(I call him haircut because he always looks like he has a fresh haircut haha) was introduced into my life when I came back to Seong Hea's Martial Arts Academy two years ago after I took a very long break. I noticed he held mitts for the fighters and was always there willing to help Tommy with whatever he needed in regards to helping train us fighters. The more I started to pick up training again, the more I experienced what he had to offer. It was his time, his PATIENCE, his talent for helping us fighters see things we don't see while we are in the ring. He has been there to help me many times keep my mind on track when it went astray as it often can during training for an upcoming fight. He is a selfless person in and out of training.

I'm grateful to have met Jim, he has my back, he doesn't let me quit and take the easy road out when things get a little rocky. He has the purest of intentions when it comes to being a GREAT trainer and a friend. I'd say that is far and few to come by in today's world. 

Always Grateful, Katie

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 Photo credit by: John Guccione at AverGroup Web Design

"If you work hard in training the fight is easy"-Manny Pacquiao

"You never lose until you actually give up"-Mike Tyson

"It ain't about how hard you can get hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."-Rocky Balboa