And then she found KRAV MAGA

Hello everybody!  I am now also writing in another blog called "And then she found Krav Maga", and here is the first post:

Hi!  My name is Cheryl, and I am a brand-new member at KRAV MAGA OC (Orange County) in California.  My goal is to share my journey with you into the world of Krav Maga, and maybe even entertain you a little, too.  As you read, perhaps you will be able to relate, or maybe you have had a completely different experience, but regardless of whether you are new like me, or are a seasoned veteran, we all have a story to tell, and our connection will be our passion to better ourselves in this unique and fascinating discipline!

So, a little about me.  I'm a 42-year-old woman (who is not afraid to reveal her age, ha!) who moved to Orange County about 4 years ago from Seattle, Washington.  Due to a series of traumatic life-changing events, I had become seriously overweight and unhealthy, and about a year ago my doctor urged me to find an exercise program I could stay consistent with.  I found out quickly I am not a person who enjoys treadmills, spin class or any type of mind-numbing repetitive gym routines.  After almost bursting into tears one day on the treadmill from sheer boredom, I went home and logged onto my computer in search of a solution.  Boxing.  Kickboxing.  Mixed Martial Arts.  Hmmm, THAT sounded interesting!  So, I promptly hired a personal trainer to help me.  I sucked at all of them.  Badly.  But, as time went on, I started to lose weight, get stronger and I realized I was actually having fun doing it!  Unfortunately, my trainer moved up to Torrance, CA, over an hour away, and so I found myself looking again, for a solution.  Enter Krav Maga OC!  It took me about 20 minutes to research what the heck "KRAV MAGA" was, and how to SAY IT.  I started asking around and although some people knew about it, mostly I got the "Krav what?" response.  I loved the fact that it seemed even more interesting than the standard Boxing/MMA stuff, and I have to admit I secretly found the words "combat tactics" exciting.  I was also super interested in learning self-defense - something useful while getting in shape!  Learning punches, kicks and other movements is fun and certainly a great way to get in shape, but what I was really looking for is how to USE them in a real-life situation, because you know, you probably won't have your boxing gloves on when the guy with the mask is mugging you at the ATM, nor will you be in your "workout" mindset.  I want to know how to instinctively MOVE and give myself a fighting chance!  There have been times in my life when I was in danger and these skills would have been invaluable to have.  Hopefully I will not have to use these skills to defend myself in the future, but I sure do want to be a bit more prepared if I do!  Do my friends think I'm crazy?  Maybe a little.  But my joining in sure has created a buzz in my circle and I am so excited to get started!

So there you have it.  I am not young.  I do not have six-pack abs.  I'm just an average girl looking for a more meaningful way of moving and challenging my mind and body.  I have a found a new passion!

If you are interested in reading more, here is the link:  http://andthenshefoundKravMaga.blogspot.com/

Freelancing

So, I have a brand-new life!  Again!  After my mom passed away last June from lung cancer, I really started to reevaluate everything.  I took a long road trip with my boyfriend all the way to Corpus Christie, Texas (I have never been able to travel before), my stepson moved in for 5 months before going to school in Chicago, and I quit my job in December!  Deciding to quit my job was a HUGE decision for me because I have been in the same industry, doing the same thing, for almost 20 years!  I have to say, it was the best decision I have ever made.  I was seriously burnt out and realized that I wasn't happy with my vocation.  I had a unique opportunity for the first time in my life to make a drastic change.  Being financially stable for the moment, I took the leap into freelance writing!  Writing professionally of course isn't something that happens overnight, but I am working my way slowly into some cool things and I am optimistic that if I just keep going and don't give up, I will find my niche. 

My office is now in my living room where I can work in my PJ's, drink coffee and take as many swimming breaks and naps as I want!  Well, actually, there haven't been too many breaks lately because I have been as busy as a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest, but seriously, it's cool.  I have embarked on finishing up the remodeling of the house, started doing "Krav Maga", an Israeli combat fighting discipline and, well, that's enough, isn't it?  I plan on blogging about my Arizona-New Mexico-Texas trip and the remodel, but for now just an update.  It's time for one of those naps!

Pink Mace

I have a funny story. First, though, I have to say that I have the sweetest, most protective boyfriend EVER.
So, the other night we were watching TV when we heard the mail slot in my front door squeaking open and close, open and close. Since the mailman had already been here, it was late, and you can see inside the house when you open it, we both immediately rushed to the front door. Dale was checking the dead bolt and holding the doorknob shut and trying to get me AWAY from the door because I was trying to open it to see who it was and preparing myself to go all Chuck Norris on their ass. He wasn't having it. LOL. Suddenly, mail comes flying through the slot. We looked at each other and laughed because it became obvious some neighbor got my mail by mistake and was getting it to me. How nice. The next night, Dale presented me with the pictured pink can of mace. As he handed it to me, he saw my expression and conceded to say, "Just please spray first, THEN you kick them in the face, OK?" ROFLMAO!!! He knows me all too well.

Crazy Tired

I drove home from training in Torrance tonight with my boxing wraps on because I was just plain too tired to take them off.  I finished and just grabbed my bag and slowly walked out the door to my truck. No shower, no socializing, no nothing. Some days I train with a vengeance, and other days I am a train wreck. Today I was a train wreck. I just didn't have the right kind of energy or something. I had 7 min left (enough for one last round) when I reached my last rep doing leg lifts (for sit-ups/kicks). I just laid there in a pool of my own sweat (K calls me a "sweat angel") on my back on the floor in front of about 100 people in the gym, eyes closed, breathing heavy. K looked down at me and said, "It looks like you're done for tonight." I said "Yes, stick a fork in me." K laughed. "OK, I'll cut you a break tonight, but not tomorrow." Me, "Thank the good Lord in Heaven."