Fearless

I’ve always had a love for the martial arts. Growing up I would watch boxing fights of the greats such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and our very own David Tua. Back then it was such a male dominated sport, I never expected that one day it would be my favourite way to train. I was about 18 years old when I first tried boxing, through a friend of mine who took one on one boxing sessions at a gym I used to train at. I fast realised how much fun it was and how it gave me an extra edge to my fitness and sport that I was playing at the time. It was much later into my twenties that I decided to turn competitive.

Mindset is crucial in my specific line of work as a personal trainer/boxing coach. You are there to help lift your client’s morale up and if your energy’s off then it’s easily noticed. To make sure I’m 100% present for my classes/clients, involves being well prepared and a good routine. I do this for my classes especially, where I have a pre-post routine which almost always involves dancing to music. Not saying I don’t have off days, everyone does. This is where having a strong mindset comes in, recognise your emotions, allow them to pass, but don’t let them rule you. Choose to find a way to change your perspective on whatever the situation to a positive note. Plus a healthy meal and a good sleep helps push that reset button :)

I think this means different things for everyone, as we are all unique, we all have our own fears. I think to being “fearless” can be a mindset, an action, an emotion, or even a character trait. If you think about it, I don’t believe the word ‘fearless’ has a limit to what it could mean. Maybe those two words have a lot in common “Fearless” and “Limits” because fear is really just our mindset limiting ourselves from stepping out and doing something that we want or wish we could do.

t used to be that I was never going to be back at my full potential in boxing/kickboxing. From how fit and strong I was prior to my injury in 2018 to where I ruptured my left achilles, twice and it took me almost a year and a half to be back on my feet. But I know now I’m stronger, in a different way. I learnt you can be as mentally and physically as strong as you like but if you aren’t spiritually strong you are missing the most important part of our existence. The down time with the injury definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things I had been chasing, but I also realised how grateful and blessed I am to be able to walk and even train again. Even though it’s a goal I have set for myself to get back in the boxing ring, my next and more important goal is to launch the business ‘Mûve’.

I’m so excited to launch ‘Mûve’. It will be “The new way to fitness”. Having trained in many gym’s over the years, I felt there was a need for a space where women can come and learn the art of boxing in an environment that was not intimidating, be taught by women and focus on not only the physical body but also the mind and spirit. The pillars of ‘Mûve’ being that women will become empowered, fearless and to have fun while learning a new skill. The name is not only a play on word but ‘Mu’ is the 12th letter in the greek alphabet and derives from the Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol for water. So when I realised the synergy between my brand and everblue, I was excited to join forces and be part of the launch to reach more women alike. Even our brand colours are in sync!

Providing a holistic wellness I think all that’s happened around the world recently with Covid has caused people to be more aware of their health but also caused a lot of uncertainty, stress and anxiety for some. So the idea for ‘Mûve’ is to create a safe environment for wo(men) where they can learn to feel confident within themselves, find their identity and add value to their mental, spiritual and physical health. And you are right, Boxing is unique, as a boxing coach you also need to understand the sport and have a passion for it to teach it well. So expect Mûve to be the fun, fashionable new way to train.

Shardea’s top 10 Tips:

1. Write out your goal(s), big or small, but keep them realistic.

2. Choose a start date.

3. Choose/Find a gym or activity that interests you.

4. Don’t be afraid to try something new (e.g boxing - wink wink).

5. Figure out when you want to train, you might not be a morning person but could find out that training in the morning changes that for you and sets up your day. Try to train when you feel the least tired.

6. Find a workout buddy/Personal Trainer to keep you accountable.

7. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be at a level you’re not, I went from being at my physical peak to learning to walk again, progress is progress. Don’t compare your fitness journey to anyone else’s.

8. Always get a good sleep and drink enough water prior to exercising.

9. Good gut health helps, if you have a poor diet don’t expect to feel great during any vigorous exercise.

10. Don’t try and do too much when you start, you’ll burn out and feel like you’ve failed before you’ve started. Crawl before you walk.

Honestly, you are never always motivated, that’s where discipline comes in. I know when I have trained in the past for a goal there has been plenty of days when I didn’t want to train, sometimes the hardest part is just showing up. In the end though the feeling you get when you accomplish any goal always outweighs the grind. A favourite quote comes to mind “Don’t count the days, make the days count” - Muhammad Ali While I’m not training specifically for any particular goal, I try to make sure I train once a day 5-6 days of the week, but if I miss a training, I don’t make myself feel guilty for it. It’s important to keep a healthy balance of exercise and rest, something I had to learn the hard way a few too many times. Tip: Schedule in your training down to the days and times, and if that fails, find yourself a training buddy or personal trainer, it always helps you stay accountable when you have another person to meet.

I don’t tend to idolise too many, but have always loved Princess Diana, I think for what she stood for. She was a fashion icon, royalty, and known around the world for her love for people and charity. This is also why she is the voice of my brand ‘Mûve’. If we talking fitness, it’d be my previous body building coach Myra Rogers who is like a sister to me. She is one of the hardest working women I know, who taught me so much and helped me win NZIFBB’s biggest regional body building champs and Nationals my very first time.

I absolutely love your epsom salts after a hard work out! And of course I love the Fearless liquid Haircare smells and feels amazing.

I don’t really know haha, my mum always said I was 0-100 since I could walk. I know I’ve always had a drive to learn, or do the best I can at what I put my mind or hand to. Not to mention I’m just a little competitive ha ha, so I love a challenge. I think staying active my whole life has always had a positive affect on my mindset for sure. Ultimately, I feel there is no secret, it’s staying grateful even on the days you don’t want to be and realising that there is so much to experience in life, I pull a lot of my contentment from knowing who I am, my purpose in life and from God. As for energy I have always bounced off walls, and have been known to be called the ‘Energiser Bunny’ a few too many times, lol.

My morning routine typically is short and sweet, as I’m very much an on-the-go girl, but I always prep for my day the night before. When this is out of sync I definitely feel that life to happening to me instead life is happening for me e.g. Like you’re just going through the motions. I typically journal in the evenings, so if I do write any intentions for the next day this is when I note them down, I feel it resonates better as you go to sleep with an intention and when you wake up it’s already on the mind.