How Kickboxing and Video Games Got Me on the Path to Discipline, Fitness and Focus
It all started with a game. Not in the ring. Not at a gym. But behind a controller.
Somewhere between slashing my way through Sekiro and getting bodied by a random NPC, I started wondering—what if I could bring this discipline into real life?
I signed up for my first kickboxing class about four years ago. I had never thrown a real punch or roundhouse in my life. But I’ve always been into action and fighting games—from Street Fighter to Ghost of Tsushima. The techniques, the stances, the flow of combat—it all fascinated me. Whether it’s a katana duel or bare-knuckle brawl, that energy pulled me in.
One day, I watched a few Muay Thai training clips on YouTube—just to get a sense of what it looked like in real life. That was the spark. I found a local gym offering a one-day free trial and decided to go for it. And man, it was tough. I had zero martial arts experience. After that first session, I could barely walk for a week. But something clicked.
Kickboxing Feels Like Gaming IRL
I started to see the parallels between kickboxing and video games.
In Sekiro, you don’t beat the boss on your first try. You get wrecked, again and again.
You study patterns, improve timing, and keep showing up until your reaction becomes instinct. That’s kickboxing in a nutshell.
Each jab, each kick, each block—it’s all about repetition, awareness, and leveling up.
At first, even the warmups felt brutal. But like any good game, the grind teaches you something:
🎮 Warm-up = fighting basic enemies
🥊 Heavy bag combos = mini-boss training
🔥 Sparring = boss battles
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, session after session, to get just a little better than last time.
The Real-World Power-Up: Discipline & Fitness
One day my trainer asked, “What’s your goal with kickboxing? You thinking of competition?”
I paused. Maybe someday. But for now, it’s deeper than that.
Right now, kickboxing is my way to build discipline, defend myself, and stay in shape. It’s not just physical—it’s mental. When you’re exhausted but still show up, that’s the kind of XP you can’t grind in-game.
Training has taught me:
✔ You don’t need a title fight to take it seriously
✔ You don’t need to be the best—just better than yesterday
✔ Discipline is the true stat you’re leveling
And honestly, it feels good. Not just in my mind, but in my body. I’m more focused, more grounded, and definitely more fit than when I started.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever felt inspired by video games to move, fight, or grow—follow that spark. Whether it’s Sekiro, Tekken, or Assassin’s Creed, the mindset you build in-game can fuel something real.
Kickboxing is more than just combat—it’s consistency, focus, and personal growth. And just like your favorite games, the more you play, the better you get.So no, I’m not in any tournaments (yet). But I show up, train smart, and keep grinding.
Because at the end of the day, this is my journey to level up—both in and out of the ring.