2025 - SO FAR

As promised, continuing to bring you along on this journey with me. I also know I’m about 3 months behind on staying on top of this. 2025 started off quite unique with the LA Fires, pulled a ligament in my thigh and did my first training camp in 15 years! To say I’m grateful and excited for the rest of 2025 is an understatement. The practice and camp was grueling but I’m so grateful for how far I’ve come since un-retiring. Read on to find out why!

Gosh! it seems like it has been the longest start to the New Year!

I had a great New Year and was spending the first ten days at home in Los Angeles. I was doing my conditioning per Coach A. had given me and I was feeling really good. The LA Fires that started on January 7th at like 10am threw my schedule into whack. I had to miss 2 lessons due to the fires and making sure didn’t have to evacuate.

During that time I was able to keep my conditioning up and I was getting faster. My first practice of 2025 went really well! It was a grueling hour! My hand stamina has improved but I have yet to re-master balestra and even now in March it’s something I’m still struggling with! I think it’s the overthinking about the new rules and still nervous about getting hit etc. I am getting better at standing up when I’m nervous or not 100% confident about a new sequence.

I was over the moon when I was told that Coach A. had recommended me to join the elite training program. Of course with adulting I have to wait until September because work and plans etc. I was on a proverbial high because seeing improvements on my confidence and conditioning after so long it’s a nice rewarding feeling.

I got invited to the training camp in February. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I hadn’t done a training camp in 15 years!! I truly forgot what it was like lol. 6 hours of footwork, conditioning and bouts.

I’ll admit I wasn’t as strong as I used to be and I was whipped at the end of the day. I was happy that I was able to finish the day and hold my own! Of course I need to improve etc. That is life - constant growth and improvement.

Unfortunately, I ripped my ligament in my upper right thigh. I don’t know how exactly I did it but it snapped. So it’s 3 weeks of ice and heat and being very gentle.

I’m excited to see what this year brings. It is definitely tough at times and I truly forgot the mental stamina as well as physical stamina that it takes.

Regardless, I can honestly say that I’m actually enjoying myself this time. I’m loving relearning the new rules and techniques. Yes, I get frustrated because some things should come faster I feel but I learning and leaning into enjoying the process this time around.

Until next time!