You’ve heard who they are and why they’re fighting. But now that we’re over the halfway mark until the big night on May 18th, things have started to pick up a bit. Training is getting more intense. They’ve been punched in the face. Most have had a bloody nose here or there, their diets have changed, and boxing is becoming an everyday part of their lives. So we figured it was about time to check back in and see how things have been going. Adam Chicoine has been putting in work at Sorabella Training Center and below you’ll hear about his first time sparring and more about his experience with Haymakers thus far.
We’re halfway to fight night, how is your training coming along?
Having had zero boxing experience coming into this in January I think it’s going really well all things considered. I trust my trainers and am feeling more and more comfortable in the ring every day. It has been a daily lesson in patience to try to stay present and not get ahead of myself. I tend to overthink EVERYTHING so doing my best to appreciate that this is a process both in the mind and body and you can’t improve without putting in the work and take it one step at a time, one punch at a time, one round at a time.
What is your weekly routine?
Training at Sorabella Training Center has been a blessing because they are open late which works with my work schedule and I work with four different trainers each with a variety of expertise to cover all the bases. I try to get to the boxing gym about 4-5 days a week and mix in my own workouts on off days. At STC it’s a good mix of circuit training and conditioning as well as fundamental techniques and sparring. There is a real team approach at this gym so I feed off of many of the other boxers’ experiences and advice as well as all that the trainers have to offer.
How has your diet changed since training began?
Thankfully, I have been pretty good about maintaining a relatively healthy routine and diet for the last couple years so I have not needed to make many drastic cuts. That being said, I have certainly had to limit my Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine intake since it’s finally made it to MA from VT and now that it is getting to be BBQ season that gets increasingly difficult! A typical day is fitting in as much protein as possible and the necessary calories to not pass out with these intense workouts. Bananas, hardboiled eggs, Greek yogurt and grilled chicken on salads are the daily menu and my Sunday Funday’s now consist of a whole lot of meal prepping for the week. Woo!!
Tell us about your first time sparring, different than expected?
Certainly did not go the way I had played it out in my head! I imagined something along the lines of a one-punch KO and the crowd lifting me up on their shoulders chanting “The Champ is here!” It looked a lot more like me tucking in the fetal and protecting my money maker. To say the least, it was very humbling but the experience of getting over the fear of taking a head shot and weathering the storm has paid off big time. One of the things I also was told about over and over was this “adrenaline dump” you experience and having to gut through the low energy after that. Most fights that one would experience in the real world are quick and don’t make it to that stage where your adrenaline wears off but in a 3-round match you certainly do and the crash is REAL. I’ve been working on my pacing ever since.
What has been the most challenging part of sticking to the routine and training so far?
During orientation, the H4H team and alumni explained that there would be some serious highs and lows in training over the 4 months and to not let yourself get too hung up and linger on one peak or valley. I thought I had experienced this before having played sports all my life but nothing could have ever prepared me for these extremes. When you are dog tired and know that you are willingly walking into a training session to get your ass handed to you it can be demoralizing and make you question why you did this in the first place. But when I am able to realize that every time I push through those “I can’ts” I end up feeling 1000x better and it reinforces itself over and over.
What does your family think of your participation?
My family is so supportive and appreciative that I would do something like this, to fight for those close to us who have had a bout with cancer or in honor of those that we’ve lost. In addition, they have always said that if I put my mind to something that I can accomplish anything and for me to be putting that to the test in this way, I think it brings them a lot of joy and satisfaction.
All that being said, I think my Mom and Dad are especially nervous. They did their best in steering me toward soccer instead of football as a kid for fear of taking head shots and so naturally this worries them but they know how much this means to me and will be there as some of, if not, the loudest cheering fans come fight night!
It’s amazing how many people’s lives have been touched by cancer in some way - has there been anyone that has surprised you by their story?
I think the most surprising thing hasn’t been a single story but a shared appreciation of finding a silver lining in something that is typically thought of as so devastating. In a lot of ways, cancer has, in fact, changed a lot of people’s lives for the better when it’s all said and done as hard as that is to believe. It is such a traumatic thing to have to experience but it also reminds us of what is important. All of the noise and meaningless things that people can get caught up in and focus their attention on kind of goes out the window and the focus is on the present; to appreciate all that we have together, our friends and family and relationships and to cherish them. We are reminded how fragile our existence can be and to take care, not take for granted.
Has your initial inspiration changed since the start of your training?
My initial and continued inspiration have always been in honor of my close friends and family members that have fought for their lives against cancer. Those people are still the reason I am doing this first and foremost without question. However, I have added to my tribe along the way. I could not have gotten to where I am now without the incredible support of my fiancé, family, friends, and trainers who have all had to deal with juggling my schedule, the rollercoaster of emotions, ups and downs and myriad of excuses as to why I don’t want to train or had a bad day sparring. They have been the ones to hold me accountable and to keep me honest all while giving me the necessary words of encouragement to overcome my own (sometimes self-made) adversity along the way. They have picked me up and reminded me what this is all about and come fight night I hope to make them proud!
Donate to Adam or purchase a ticket to Rock 'N Rumble VII on May 18th here!