During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rumble in the Rockies in Denver on June 14th. They’ve committed to four months of fundraising and training in preparation to get in the ring and literally fight for a cure. Whether their mom is battling, their father has passed or their friend has put up a victory against the disease – they’ve all got a story to tell and they’ve all got a reason to fight. Below you’ll hear from Greg Preston, fighting out of the Blunt Force Training.
Where are you from?
Taylor Mill, KY
Where’d you go to college?
Winona State University
Did you play any sports growing up?
Growing up I played football, basketball, baseball and swimming, but once I reached high school I focused solely on football.
What do you do for work?
I'm the owner of the OsteoStrong location opening in Denver this spring. OsteoStrong is "The Ultimate BioHack" which helps you strengthen the foundation of your body - the skeletal system. The term "biohack" is used because the latest science and technology was utilized to develop new patented equipment that allows people of all ages to get insane results in only 60 seconds of effort once per week. I've been an athlete my entire life and I've never seen anything that can substantially increase strength, balance and posture in such little time and effort like what we do at OsteoStrong. It's going to change the world and I'm excited to be a part of it.
Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting?
After my college football career ended, I struggled like many athletes to fill the void that was created. Boxing helped fill that void because not only is it an incredible workout, but there is so much technique and skill involved that there is always something to work on. I'd be lying if I didn't say I also like the physicality of it.
Why on earth did you sign up to fight??
I lived in Boston for a few years and knew about Haymakers but never signed up. I made excuses about not having enough time to commit to the training, and wasn't sure if I was good enough to step into the ring. I remember leaving Boston to move to Denver and thinking the only thing I left on the table in Boston was not doing Haymaker's. I knew it was an opportunity to push myself way outside of my comfort zone while supporting a cause that hits home for me. Fate would have it that a few months after moving, Haymaker's announced they were expanding to Denver. I signed up immediately.
You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you?
Reading the word "cancer" makes me cringe. About 3 years ago my dad slipped and fell on ice while shoveling the driveway and snapped his quadratic tendon. During his pre-surgery physical, doctor's noticed some blood levels were off and after further investigation diagnosed him with stage IV colon cancer. He died 10 months later at age 65. I'm grateful my dad fell that day because it gave me and my family an opportunity to come to terms with what was happening, although anyone who has been through it will tell you that it goes faster than expected and still feels sudden. That experience, as traumatizing as it was, has changed my life in so many incredible ways. I'm closer with my family than I've ever been, and I find myself less fearful and less stressed about things that don't actually matter. My amazing mother is also a breast cancer survivor. I'm motivated to fight for cancer because I know first hand the standard care options we offer today are an embarrassment to modern medicine. The good news is there's a lot of exciting research that is showing promising results, so I'm 100% in for helping raise funds for those companies.
What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?)
Sleep. Giving up sweets, beer, and TV is no problem for me, but getting up early to train has never been something I've enjoyed. My girlfriend will attest to me being hardly human at 6:00am.
When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have?
During the winter I am snowboarding with family and friends almost every weekend. I'm passionate about staying active and healthy, being an entrepreneur, spending time with my family and girlfriend Tiffany, and beating my younger brother in ping pong.
Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night?
Definitely not my mom. Probably my younger brother Brent. I'm sure I deserve at least a few to the schnauz.
Be sure to check out his fundraising page here and wish him luck! Best of luck, Greg!