Camp Coach

When Tyson completed 200 squats, his legs felt like they were swelling, making it nearly impossible to stand. He trudged to his bed and collapsed, resting for ten minutes before feeling a bit more capable.

Next up were push-ups—an exercise essential for building strength in the arms, chest, and back. Core strength and explosive power are fundamental for any boxer, and for Tyson, a set of 50 push-ups proved to be an arduous task. With sheer determination, he pushed through the set, leaving him too drained to do anything but lie flat on the ground.

For a novice, 50 push-ups was far from easy. After another ten-minute respite, he returned to his bed, exhausted. His next exercise involved sit-ups, aimed at honing his abdominal muscles. Strengthening this area was crucial for enhancing his punching rotation and capacity.

After completing another 50 repetitions, Tyson sprawled out on the bed, feeling utterly spent. Following a half-hour break, he summoned the energy to repeat the earlier drills. By this point, his muscles began to swell, a common occurrence among those newly initiated into fitness routines. He figured that a good night's rest would help him recover.

Now lying in silence, he lost track of time until he heard a sound from the iron door. Looking around, he noticed Bach stepping inside.

"Hey, Bach," Tyson greeted.

Bach looked momentarily nervous, but upon realizing Tyson was calm, he smiled warmly. "It's dinner time."

Bach quickly changed clothes, and they headed to the dining hall. After their meal, Bach suggested they hang out, but Tyson, still feeling the muscle soreness, declined.

Bach exited alone, leaving Tyson to occupy himself. Eventually, boredom led him to practice a form of self-defense technique. He extended both fists, striking them against each other to toughen his knuckles and build endurance for punches.

As he continued, a knock echoed from the door.

"Who is it?" Tyson called.

"Hey, are you looking for me?" an unfamiliar voice replied.

His curiosity piqued, Tyson guessed the newcomer might be Stuart. He quickly stood up, ignoring the pain, and opened the door.

A tall, muscular man stood before him, easily weighing around 80 kg.

"Please, come in," Tyson offered politely.

Stuart stepped inside, glancing around before taking a seat without invitation.

"Speak up, kid. What's on your mind?" Stuart questioned.

"Sir, I admire your skills. I want to learn boxing from you," Tyson replied earnestly.

"What for? You seeking a fight?" Stuart's eyes narrowed, recalling Tyson's initial confrontations.

"No, I've turned over a new leaf. I want to box for fitness and gain respect," Tyson insisted.

Despite the sincerity of Tyson's words, Stuart remained skeptical. He had seen many approach him with the same pretenses before, only to reveal their true nature.

"Are you trying to pull a fast one on me?" Stuart glared.

"No, I promise, I'm being truthful," Tyson urged.

"Kids come to me with those same lines, but they remain the same misfits, avoiding real challenges in life." With that, Stuart turned to leave.

Tyson dragged the chair back to the table, then lay in bed, pondering.

The next morning, after breakfast, Tyson made his way to where Stuart was training the other kids.

"Keep your arms raised, don't stare at your fists when you punch. Focus on what's ahead," Stuart instructed, demonstrating with a young trainee.

When Stuart noticed Tyson's arrival, he continued his work without acknowledging him at first.

Once the training session wrapped, Stuart approached Tyson. "Are you sure you want to learn boxing from me?"

Tyson nodded earnestly, eager to improve.

"Alright, but you need to commit to a fresh start. Show respect and strive to do right. Only then will I train you," Stuart said firmly.

"I swear, I'm a new person," Tyson replied earnestly, placing his hand firmly over his heart.

Stuart nodded, mildly reassured. "Have you ever trained in boxing before?"

Tyson thought momentarily before responding, "My aunt boxed, and I learned a bit from her."

In his previous life, Tyson was a professional boxer. Though he didn't possess the same physique here, his rich memories remained intact.

"Great! There's a sandbag over there," Stuart pointed. "Go throw a few punches at it."

Tyson approached the light sandbag, designed for younger trainees, and readied himself. With determination, he unleashed a combination of punches—a left straight followed by a right uppercut. His movements were somewhat stiff, and he struggled to generate full power.

Stuart observed closely, nodding in approval after Tyson's initial strikes. "You've definitely trained before; we won't need to labor over basic techniques."

"You're doing well, but remember to relax your arm. Only tighten your fist upon impact," he advised, pointing out areas for improvement.

Stuart handed Tyson a jump rope. "Start skipping."

Tyson took the rope and began. Jumping rope is crucial in boxing training, aiding balance and rhythm. Initially, he stumbled, but within minutes, progress was evident. By the end of the first round, he was moving fluidly, and after half an hour, he had developed a natural rhythm.

When he finally stopped, it was due to exhaustion rather than lack of desire.

"Impressive! Have you trained in skipping ropes before?" Stuart asked with an approving nod.

Tyson replied modestly, "Yes, for quite some time."

"Take ten. We'll continue with push-ups next."

After a brief rest, Stuart instructed Tyson on the maximum number of push-ups he could manage.

"Fifty," Tyson answered without hesitation.

"Let's see you do it," Stuart challenged.

He immediately dropped down and began his set. By the 45th rep, fatigue set in, but Tyson pushed through, finishing the full 50 with a sweat-covered brow.

"Solid effort. Your upper body strength is impressive," Stuart observed.

"How much can you squat with a 20 kg weight?" he asked.

Tyson admitted he hadn't tried it before.

"Let's test it. There's a 20 kg barbell; place it on your shoulders and squat," Stuart instructed.

Tyson complied, shifting the weight carefully onto his shoulders and began squatting. Halfway through the set, the weight felt increasingly cumbersome.

"Push through! Just two more!" Stuart encouraged, instilling faith in Tyson's capabilities.

With gritted teeth, Tyson completed the final two squats, surprising even himself.

"Well done! Better than I'd expected," Stuart said, genuinely impressed.

Their next drill focused on sit-ups. Stuart assisted him, counting along as Tyson powered through 50 reps.

"Stand up," Stuart commanded. "Your physical fitness is among the best I've seen, but remember, potential is just a starting point; it means nothing without hard work."

Tyson nodded, absorbing the lesson. He understood that physical proficiency would only serve him as a foundation. To achieve greatness, consistent effort was essential.