“We play a sport. It’s a game. At the end of the day, that’s all it is, is a game. It doesn’t make you any better or any worse than anybody else. So by winning a game, you’re no better. By losing a game, you’re no worse. I think by keeping that mentality, it really keeps things in perspective for me to treat everybody the same.” – Tim Tebow

Introduction:

In the summer of 2017, I made a huge decision: to fight at the world championships in Florida. It was an immense opportunity and one I didn’t take lightly. Other than for my 3rd Dan black belt test, I’d never trained so hard in my life. Everything I did was to benefit me on the mats in Florida. The physical and mental preparation was intense, and every aspect of my routine was geared towards this tournament.

– A younger, slimmer Mr Beal getting ready for his continuous kickboxing match in Florida.

Now, here’s the crazy part—I didn’t actually want to do it. Every training session had me questioning, “Why are you even doing this?” Fighting was never something I enjoyed or found passion in; I’ve always favoured teaching. Watching them grow far outweighed the appeal of competing.

As the competition drew nearer, an overwhelming feeling of imposter syndrome set in. About three weeks before leaving, this feeling reached its peak. I sat down with my instructor, Luke (above in the blue), and poured out my anxieties and doubts. I felt unworthy and out of place, questioning whether I deserved to be on that stage.

Luke then said something that changed everything: “Whatever the result, do it for the experience.”

Those words lifted a tremendous weight off my shoulders. I realised I had been putting too much pressure on myself to achieve a specific result, losing sight of the journey itself. This was a huge life lesson.

We often put so much emphasis on the result that we forget to enjoy the process. It’s easy to get caught up in the end goal, but the true value lies in the journey. The struggles, the perseverance, and the dedication all contribute to our growth. We rarely look back on the tough times and appreciate the lessons they gave us and the experience we now have running against the tide physically and mentally.

Enjoying the process and doing your best is what truly matters. If you can honestly say you’ve given it your all, there is not a thing in the world that can change that. This mindset shift was liberating. I approached the championships with a new perspective, focusing on what I could learn and how I could grow, rather than obsessing over the outcome.

If you must know, it didn’t go my way. I was out on day two of a five-day visit, which meant I had ample time to reflect on the experience. Rather than feeling defeated, I chose to embrace the opportunity to explore Florida and enjoy some downtime, as well as American food.

If you ever have the opportunity to get to a Wawa’s to experience a strawberry cheesecake milkshake, I advise you take it!

So maybe I was the real winner after all.

The trip was filled with valuable lessons and memories that have stayed with me. It reminded me of the importance of embracing challenges, learning from every experience, and finding joy in the journey. Life is about more than just the end goal; it’s about the experiences and growth along the way.

Looking back, I am grateful for that experience. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, taught me resilience, and reinforced my love for teaching. The journey was as rewarding as any victory could have been.

So, the next time you face a daunting challenge, remember to enjoy the process and give it your best. Embrace the journey, for that is where true growth happens. And who knows, you might just find yourself enjoying a well-deserved strawberry cheesecake milkshake (for breakfast, lunch and dinner) at the end of it all.