Bowing In

Rachel's Dojo - Black Lotus Kickboxing

The Beginning

Slip. Counter.

Rachel Hodges works on the bag.

For kickboxer Rachel Hodges, these terms meant something completely different before she walked into a dojo.  Then a 19-year-old college student and waitress, Rachel spent the majority of her time serving drinks or studying, very far from the world of kickboxing.  Now a 21-year-old with in-ring experience, Rachel joined The Fighter’s Corner to look back at her experience as a kickboxer.

Bowing In

Rachel began dating a kickboxing student and after watching a few classes, decided to give it a shot. Like many, part of the draw was to get in better shape before beach season. It doesn’t take many viewings to realize that training gets you in very good physical condition. However, Rachel said it was the chance to challenge herself that really pushed her into bowing in.

According to Rachel, that’s what training is, in many ways. Challenging oneself to do something you never thought you could. Do that pull-up, hit that head-kick, run another lap when you thought you would fall over 2 laps ago. These challenges brought Rachel onto the floor, and overcoming them kept her there.

Competition

After a year of steady training, Rachel signed up for her first official competition. It was a modified competition, designed to help new fighters get in ring experience without getting injured. The new fighters were paired with more experienced competitors who could control their strikes, while still pushing the tempo.

Rachel knew this was the perfect opportunity to overcome a new challenge, competing in the ring. Feeling terrified, nervous, sweaty and excited, Rachel bowed to her opponent and began her fight.

“Slip! Counter!”

Rachel heard her cornerman shouting instructions and reacted instinctively. These words, foreign just one year ago, now guided Rachel around her opponents strikes as she landed her own. 3 rounds later, Rachel stood in the ring with her hand raised, overcoming one goal while already creating another.

According to Rachel, that's what training is.