During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rock ‘N Rumble X in Boston on May 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 Michael Kinahan, fighting out of EverybodyFights.
Where are you from?
Scituate MA via Roslindale (back when it was "Rossi Square", not "Roslindale Village")
Where’d you go to college?
University of Southern California
Did you play any sports growing up?
Yes, not particularly well
What do you do for work?
Portfolio Manager and CLO Analyst at Eaton Vance Management (I'm just killing time until the male modeling contract comes in - "short, fat and bald" is the new black)
Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting?
I love the art of it. It is not just throwing punches, but rather an extremely complex series of interconnected movements and a full body workout. I never really pictured myself fighting, but figured very few people could hit as hard as the nuns I had in second grade (admittedly I probably deserved some/most of it). I lived through that, so why not give it a shot for a good cause.
Why on earth did you sign up to fight??
This disease has adversely affected everybody in some way. Like other teammates at H4H, I have lost close friends and relatives to it. In the past week alone, both a relative and close friend informed me that they are awaiting test results related to suspected cancer diagnoses. I'm not smart enough to do the needed scientific research, but figure my many sarcastic comments over the years have given me the valuable experience of taking a punch. Time to play to my strengths...….
You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you?
Where do I start? Fall of my junior year in high school driving my mother to chemo appointments for breast cancer (thank God she survived). Working as an orderly at the Faulkner Hospital during high school and summers during college. So many people arrived seemingly healthy, but I witnessed the slow and painful deterioration. Aunts and uncles. Jackie, one of my closest friends growing up, recently died of colon cancer - he was far, far too young and the world is worse off without him. But people can and do beat this disease too, so let's focus on the Hope.
What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?)
Wait, I have to give up stuff? Apple pie, chocolate chip cookies and whole milk are health food, right?
When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have?
Hanging out my wife and kids (even if it does annoy them). Most outdoor activities including dirt bikes, ocean swimming, shooting sports, and bee keeping. I love going for long walks with my two Australian Cattle Dogs, even if they'd rather hang out with my wife.
Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night?
How much space do I have? Definitely my kids, most likely my wife Mary, several co-workers (especially Ed and Liz), most of my neighbors (did I mention I like dirt bikes and bees?), and loads of investment bankers from NYC!
Check out his fundraising page and be sure to wish him luck! Best of luck, Michael!