** Below is a post I wrote about a year ago for the 30 Days of Truth challenge I was doing. As I was in kickboxing class this morning, I thought about how much I still just LOVE this workout. Since writing the following post, I’ve refined my moves, learned new ones (including some MMA, which is SO intense), and still hope I never have to use them in real life. 
Enjoy!
Day 6-Something you hope you never have to do
Ascend-pop-cross: that’s a new combo I learned in kickboxing class yesterday. With a quick twist of the my body, I ascend a sharp elbow up and into my opponent’s face to knock him back, pop the same elbow back down into the face (or gut—depending on the attacker’s position) of the opponent behind me and throw a cross punch with my other fist square to the front opponent’s nose. It’s quick, it’s sharp, it’s painful.
I feel pretty tough. Not even gonna lie.
Kickboxing is a passion for me and I’ve been doing it for about a year and half. There are several moves that are my favorite like the ascending and descending elbow (actually I’m fond any move that involves slamming my elbow across someone’s face). I also enjoy throwing hook punches, back fists (element of surprise in those), round house kicks (lands right in the gut, kidneys, or the “junk” depending on the attacker’s position), and one of my ultimate favorites—the hitch knee (which is more of an intimidation tactic rather than a fight move). Oh yeah, there’s a cool move where you grab your attacker’s hair and pop them in the nose. That one’s fun!
I’ve also become fond of and have perfected karate punches and palm strikes—they are martial arts moves, and I recently discovered a yearning to learn more about martial arts. It’s strong, yet meditative.
Though offense is good (c’mon, it’s fun to think about beating the crap out of someone who’s attacking you, right?), defense is equally important. I’ve learned several styles of blocking techniques that protects different areas of my body so I can continue fighting effectively or make the ultimate move—run away.
Kickboxing has made me physically strong and mentally confident; should I ever be attacked by some gross, psychotic, idiotic man, he’ll be sorry he picked me.
Yeah. I fear it. Not going to pretend I don’t. I fear intruders in my house, I fear attacks in a parking garage, I fear kidnapping while out running. There are sound reasons for my fears, but I refuse to let fear win out. So I’m preparing … but expecting the best: I hope I never have to use these moves—ever. Knowing all these moves does not make me immune from an attack, but it does mean I can fight back. I can defend myself, making me less of a victim and more of a survivor; a warrior in my womanhood.
