Finding Muay Thai has been a huge blessing in my life.

This may be a shock to you, but I’ve always had insecurities about my body.

When I got sober, I channeled that obsessive part of myself into fitness. I’d run every night. Obsessively do burpees and pull ups at the tennis court and drive myself into the ground. I’d lift 4 - 5 times a week. I was very fit and healthy, but I was always uncomfortable.

I’d do intense cardio and feel too skinny. Then I’d power lift and feel too fat. No matter where I got my body, I always wanted to be somewhere else.

Look, there are people out there with much more serious body image issues than me. The point I’m making is that for the first time in my life, I’m starting to really appreciate my body for what it can do, not just what it looks like.

I never thought I’d be able to throw kicks, or learn how to subtly blocks punches with tiny movements.

Muay Thai is one of the best things I’ve ever found. It’s teaching me so much about who I am, what I can do, and pushing through discomfort.

When I took my first class, I thought I would breeze right through it. It was so hard and I felt so clumsy. I thought I was gonna fall over. But I’m slowly getting better and feeling more and more comfortable.

Even better, I’m discovering that spiritual aspect of martial arts, that true connection of mind and body.

I feel really great. I feel good in my skin. Grateful to be alive and be healthy.

I’ll keep showing up.