the journey to boxing instructor
I can't even decide where to begin. The year, 2014. I had just had a second child, and my weight and body fat were tipping the scales. I was going through a personal life crisis, and my PTSD from Chicago teaching was at an all time high.
I had been going to a women's gym in the neighborhood on and off for a few years, but no real commitment. Then one day, I told my husband that I needed to get serious about my health and I wanted to join the Team Training Program at Women's Work Out World. He didn't hesitate to support me. That was in 2014, and I never looked back.
During that time, I met a trainer named Latoya, otherwise known as LaTorture. Petite African American woman no taller than me, but man she packed a punch and her spirit was loud and large. She saw me, I mean really saw me in a time where I was at my lowest. She took it upon herself to really work with me, and invited me to her boxing class. I went once and was completely hooked, pun intended.
That class alone, along with healthy eating and other teams training HIIT classes, helped me lose over 50lbs, body fat, but most importantly, helped me gain a new mindset, agency, and self-confidence back.
Toya died of cancer a few years ago. I saw her 48hours before she passed. I was also there and was about to jump in her last class she ever would've taught, but she had a seizure on the gym floor and was rushed out by the EMT's. The cancer came back, and this time to her brain. That was the beginning of the end for her, as she was put into hospice soon thereafter. She was a fighter, so tough, but private. She didn't want to talk about it, and wanted to train us, motivate us, give us a hard time, and do her God-ordained job here on earth. A woman of faith with a military spirit, she held back no punches and wasn't ashamed of her tough tactics on the gym floor with zero tolerance for excuses and nothing less than 100%. She loved on us girls, and really became sisters. She is arguably the best trainer in IL and the surrounding suburbs, in my personal opinion--and I'd have a lot of support on that observation. She was damn good, I mean she was born to train, and that she did till she literally couldn't no more!
Just 48 hours before her passing, I walk into the hospice room and I see a few girls from the gym, who honestly became her family. I like to think I was one of her favs, deep in my heart I know I was. I held her hand and she looked at me, but couldn't speak. She looked so different and it was clear that she was fading. I whispered in her ear, "Job well down, good and faithful servant. You killed it Toy, you killed it." We all bowed our heads and I prayed for her. 2 days later she passed. Her funeral was excruciating. I met her by her casket and whispered that I loved her and that I'll keep working out and doing my best.
Fast forward a few years later and I'm about to engage in a class that died when she did. Power Boxing---the class that saved me on so many levels. I'm so proud to pour into my community in this way. Already a Morton teacher from the neighborhood, now I'll be boxing instructor that will also serve our community of women. Ugh, my heart be still. I long to be a pillar in this community and I'm on my way. I also long to make Toya proud.
She will always be my boxing trainer. When I get to do my first class, she will be the voice I hear in my head. The routines completely inspired by her. She’s irreplaceable, but I want the world to know that this is my teacher & I will always be her student. RIP @bodies_by_toy —-this boot camp, this Power Boxing class we about to bring back @w3body_berwyn is for you!