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<\/a>\u201cI was afraid of getting hit at first,\u201d says Fight 4 the Cause Red Team contender and UVic social work student Stephanie \u201cSugar\u201d Wray. \u201cRather than flailing around trying to not get hit like in the beginning, I\u2019m learning how to properly block hits and take hits so it doesn\u2019t hurt as much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wray feels a sense of accomplishment from putting herself out of her comfort zone and says it\u2019s been quite the learning experience for her, considering she had no previous combat training.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to continuously remind myself of the basics, like keeping my hands up and staying in a proper position,\u201d explains Wray. \u201cI do notice that every day gets easier and I\u2019m naturally improving but, of course, there is still room for improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most mornings Wray wakes up sore, but her body has become much stronger since then and, according to her boyfriend, her punches are harder (when they play fight, that is). Not only is the training physically worth it, but the charities have sentimental value for her (proceeds go towards Mustard Seed, Power to Be, and The Brazilian Cultural Foundation).<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I heard they were donating towards Mustard Seed, it really struck a cord for me,\u201d says Wray. \u201cAs a social work student, I deal with poverty in Victoria and I know how important having food and warm jackets is, especially during this time of year.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Wray is overcoming her fear of getting hit, local property manager Aaron \u201cSmash\u201d Usatch has overcome his addiction to smoking. Usatch thanks Fight 4 the Cause for helping him jumpstart his health in the right direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cI quit smoking cold turkey when we started training,\u201d says Usatch. \u201cI\u2019m using these eight weeks as a springboard to start living a much healthier lifestyle. I\u2019ve lost 15 pounds so far and have another 10 pounds to lose to match my opponent and reach my ideal weight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Usatch says his mind hasn\u2019t been this clear since he was a teenager and feels like his health improvements have given him an edge that he doesn\u2019t want to lose. He feels calm and settled, his life all properly in place.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone should take the opportunity to make choices to improve their life, health, and challenge themselves,\u201d says Usatch. \u201cThe worst thing that can happen is that you can fail, while the best thing is that you can accomplish your goals and reach a new level of success.\u201d<\/p>\n Usatch is finally achieving a goal on his bucket list (competing in a boxing ring) and is looking forward to his fight.<\/p>\n \u201cThe psychological, physical, and mental challenge this has been has helped us all grow,\u201d says Usatch. \u201cSeeing the body weight that everyone walked in at and noticing all the strength they have gained and positive changes everyone has made has been quite remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n BC Boxing and Boxing Canada coach Chris Jones has been involved in the sport since the 1960s and is putting in his time to help Fight 4 the Cause and its contenders reach their goals.<\/p>\n \u201cThis group of contenders is so eager and quick to learn,\u201d says Jones. \u201cThey are determined, focused, and the fact that they wake up and are training here at 6 am every weekday morning speaks a lot about their work ethic. In fact, I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen another group of fighters improve so much in such a short amount of time.\u201d<\/p>\n Hans \u201cThe Crusher\u201d McFarlane may have had an advantage, considering he used to be a military police officer. McFarlane trained mainly in self-defence and says boxing is much more calculated with many more rules to it.<\/p>\n \u201cBoxing is like a mental chess game and certainly physically enduring at the same time. It\u2019s the combination of fitness level and skill level which determines who will win a fight,\u201d explains McFarlane.<\/p>\n<\/a>