GLEASON’S MASTERS CLINIC Motto: “Even Though I’m ‘Old’ I’m Not Ready To Retire”

The Masters Clinic at the famed and fabled Gleason’s Gym in DUMBO, Brooklyn will as always attract an array of persons from places near and close, a mix of gender and class and constitutional makeup.

Most will be bonded, though, by a desire to push themselves, exit their comfort zone, stray either tentatively or aggressively to an endeavor that they fear might push them past their comfort zone to the danger zone, where they could crumble physically or mentally….but pretty much one and all will pass the self administered test, and triumph.

I spoke to one person who’ll be trekking to Brooklyn from Canada, to continue a love affair which has enriched her life measurably.

Anne Garrido is 40 years old, just now having reached “Master” status, age wise. A Cochrane, Alberta Canada, resident, she signed up for the clinic (Feb. 15-Feb. 17) last December. “It was just before Christmas,” Garrido told NYFights.com. “I can't remember how I found out about the boxing clinic, it might have been on the Facebook group “Masters Boxing Division” or on the Gleason's website.

“I decided to go because going to Gleason's Gym is an amazing experience. This gym had and still trains so many champions, so I feel very lucky to get to meet the trainers and work with them.”

Garrido offered her reason for entering the squared circle. “I started boxing four years ago. I heard that a boxing gym was opening in town, I went there on their first day to check it out, bought a membership and 10 months later I had my first amateur fight! I fell in love with the sport and even though I'm “old,” I'm just not ready to retire. I think it's great to have a Masters division, because fighting women half my age didn't make much sense.”

This will be her first clinic, what expectations does she have? “I’m not sure what to expect from the clinic, I hope to meet other master boxers, other female master boxers and get different coaching cues from different coaches. I want to improve my boxing and also learn more about the specifics of the Master division.”

And not to get overly deep, but she will also be bettering herself physically and mentally, by pushing herself past perceived limits. She is investing in herself, and should be congratulated for doing so. Go, Garrido, you rock.

You can still sign up for the Masters Clinic, right here.