The motivation for this picture actually came from a small photo challenge that I came across and am planning on submitting this to.

Either way, I liked the result and wanted to add it to this album. This morning marked yet another morning of Muay Thai training for me. I have been training since last year sometime and am aiming to fight, at an amateur level, sometime this fall. This has become more than an exercise or a schedule for me now. When I began training I swore to myself that I had no interest in stepping into a ring. I have trained in several other combat sports over the years and enjoy remaining proficient, but it had always been just a form of exercise and ensuring that you were a self sufficient human being and not a potential victim. Muay Thai has been different. I'm working out 5 days a week, 3 of those days involve Crossfit exercise too! For those that know me, taking up Crossfit involved a lot of swallowed pride, all done in order to be more proficient at Muay Thai. Fighting has to be something that you embrace and welcome. A willingness to hurt...and subject yourself to hurt. For me it is.