My friend TJ

I realized that I had not written in my blog since Dec. of last year! I was recovering from being sick almost the entire month of Dec. then it seemed as if one thing or another kept me from writing. Then on May 6th my dearest friend, trainer, little brother, mentor to my son was killed in the early morning in a motorcycle accident. He left behind a beautiful wife and 2 precious children.

 As a matter of fact, looking over my blog, my last comment was from TJ. He was an amazing man that touched so many lives in so many ways and continues to do so. Time has passed since May. I struggled with a knee injury (learned lots of things about knees I need to write about) etc. I just didn’t have the desire to work out. TJ was such an encourager to me. He would show up at my house and say, “get ready we are going to work out”, and boy did we ever! He taught me how to run, how to do a proper squat, and that I could lift heavier weights than I ever thought I could. We did the Insanity work outs, heavy lifting segments and crazy cross fit work outs. We had so much fun!

After visiting a black belt test this past Saturday I was so impressed with my friend Rossi and another female martial artist Tammy that I was inspired to go to the gym and bring it. It felt good. I went all through my physical therapy knee exercises and decided to punch the hanging bag with my weighted gloves. Putting my gloves on I spot TJ’s picture that he gave me after his first MMA fight and my heart tugs. Looking around my gym I think of the hours spent there. I have his weight stand he dug out of someone’s trash, his weighted ball he would chunk at me, and his wooden step up box he built for box jumps and I began to get angry. As I punched the bag harder and harder I was so mad he wasn’t here to train with me, to help me get ready for my red belt test. He had helped me prepare for every single one of my martial arts belt tests. I broke down and began to cry as I realized why I hadn’t been to the gym. My friend wasn’t there with me.

My oldest son also had a close relationship with TJ and it was always the three of us training together so in the midst of my breakdown I went looking for him as I knew he would understand my grief. He talked with me for a long time and I would like to share his insightfulness. He said, “Mom, TJ did train you. He equipped you with all you need to train. You know what to do”. And he is right. When I was punching the bag I could hear TJ’s voice in my head, “Your not pivoting enough, turn into your punch more.” He taught me so much that can be passed on.

 If he were here, he would yell at me about not training, so I guess it’s time to get busy again.

I miss you TJ.

MomT5

 I’ll post more later on knees….:)