Why my Mexican trip was a blast

Today is Cinco de Mayo, which most Americans think that this is the Mexican independence day but its not (it's September 15 actually).

Speaking of Mexicans, they are world renonwed for their excellent boxing training program. And so let me tell you a little bit about my trip over there last December.

I went there for r&r since I was getting burned out with work. But one of my missions was to experience "Boxeo Estilo Mexicano" or Mexican style boxing. The best place to experience such is in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Me and my host in Mexico, Belem went to the bad area of the city. It smelled like marijuana outside the boxing gym and people were talking to us: "Hola extranjero, droga para dinero, dinero para droga (hello foreigner, drugs for money, money for drugs". And when I ignored them they go "Hablame cabron (Talk to me ___!). It wasn't the ideal place to be at but I was determined to learn.

And then I met my trainer, Senor Alberto Carillo Martinez. He hesitated to show me stuff upon hearing that I am Filipino (Filipinos and Mexicans are going at it for World Boxing dominance). But when I told him that I was from the United States and his story will reach a number of people, he then obliged.

He answered a number of questions through my gracious interpreter Belem. I can understand Spanish but Senor Carillo's speech was very hard to get (getting hit in the head through the years/ drug and alcohol addiction). He told me about his life as a boxer, a trainer and a father. He said life is tough. He then told me about one single lesson: DISCIPLINE PAYS OFF.

He put me into a workout. He made me shadow box with the hardest shadow boxing drill I've ever done in my life--- Shadow boxing around the ring focusing on speed and quick footwork for 20 straight minutes. It was hard!!! He then put me in the heavy bag, double end bag and jump ropes. I listened to every advice he said. He corrected my distance and my killer instinct. He wanted me to let go of my punches because he knows they're strong. He was strict, but I needed that. At that time I was a student, not a teacher.

Me and the rest of Equipo Sutaj (Team Sutaj) trained long and hard at the gym. We did the circuits around the equipment and ring while we paid attention to what Senor Carillo had to say. We all followed his cue on "listo" (ready) and "tiempo" (time). The highlight of my boxing training over there was the fact that the whole team drank from the same water bottle (Mexico is known for bad drinking water). I thought to myself, "I'm here to experience the system, there are no ifs and buts". Camaraderie and teamwork right there!

And then I told him: "Soy entrenador de boxeo en los Estados Unidos (I am a boxing trainer in the United States). He then told me that I should emphasize discipline to all my students and clients for this can be carried over to their real lives. I agree, I certainly agree.

I pride myself as someone who has a student mentality. I try to perfect my craft by being in the game. I invest a good amount of time and money to improve. Experience is the best teacher and being open- minded to new things pays off. Cerifications don't count, experience and dynamism does. For you who is reading this, feel free to contact me at lawrence@trainlikeaboxer.com and we'll talk about how boxing can help you. Be a student again, and let me share with you the fantastic lessons I learned in the past. Together, we can do this.

Before we said goodbye to Senor Carillo, he put me into the heaviest jump rope (or should I say huge rope?) and then he whispered while I was doing the exercise, "Ahora, todos somos Mexicanos (Today, we are all Mexicans). And then I responded, "Viva Mexico!". And then I remembered thinking to myself right after those words, "Viva America, Viva Filipinas!".