During the coming months, we’ll be highlighting our fighters in training for the upcoming Rumble in the Rockies III in Denver on June 11th. 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 Faith Lierheimer, fighting out of Blunt Force Training.
Where are you from?
Evergreen, Colorado. Born and bred mountain girl!
Where’d you go to college?
University of Denver. I got my B.S. in Ecology and Biodiversity.
Did you play any sports growing up?
I'm a lifelong skiier, but I eschewed sports for theater and choir. Bet you didn't know you were getting a drama geek in the ring, huh?
What do you do for work?
I split my time between slinging lattes for financiers in Cherry Creek (I'm a Starbucks barista) and teaching kids about conservation and animal science at the Denver Zoo. I primarily consider myself an educator.
Why boxing? Did you ever picture yourself fighting?
I never pictured myself fighting. I had it in the back of my mind that boxing might be fun to try, but I wanted to box so I could learn a new skill, be a beginner again, and work through the humility and frustration that it takes to be a newbie again.
Why on earth did you sign up to fight??
This year, I wanted to do something that scared the shit out of me but also motivated the shit out of me. I'm at a time in my life where I want to start taking more risks and stepping outside my comfort zone, and Haymakers sure as hell fits the bill!
You’re stepping in the ring to literally fight for a cure - where are you drawing your inspiration from? How has cancer affected you?
I lost my dad to Stage IV colon cancer when he was 46 and I was 16. He was way too young to die from colon cancer that far advanced. It's rare, but it happens that early sometimes. He fought like hell to stay with my family for as long as he could, and his grit inspires me to this day. Also, my mom and I are both active melanoma patients--my melanoma only required one surgery and continual 6 month follow ups, hers required 2 surgeries and more frequent follow ups. Her determination to live a full and active life in her 50s and beyond inspires me--she started boxing before I did! So I'm inspired by my dad, my mom, my family, and I fight for them and my 16 year old self who wanted to fight back against cancer but she couldn't then. She can now.
What is going to be the most difficult thing to give up during your training? (beer, cheeseburgers, time spent watching TV?)
Oh, for sure the peach hard cider they sell at my local corner store. That, and binging whatever the latest new Netflix show is.
When you’re not throwing punches and training -- what other hobbies/interests do you have?
I'm a fiend for the local music scene and I love hanging out at dive bars and other haunts around town to see local bands play. I'm also the biggest haunted house fan you will ever meet--that is, except for my fellow hauntfluencer and best friend Raine. We are the 13th Floor's top fans, and have clocked 7 haunted houses in this year alone. We love getting scared. I'm also a big hockey fan and make as many Avs games as I can.
Who do you think is the most excited to watch you get punched in the face come fight night?
Hmmm, probably my friend and Haymakers alum Shawn, or my Starbucks coworkers for the amount of stupid jokes I make them listen to every day at work. If not them, then my long-suffering and wonderful partner Mark, who endures me talking shit about hockey for 6 months out of the year.
Check out her fundraising page and be sure to wish her luck! Best of luck, Faith!