Hardeep Singh Bubbra

“When I was growing up I loved my food and hated exercise, so much so my weight ballooned up to a massive 22 stones by the age of 18. I was very unfit but because I was tall I could get away with it (at least that is what I thought!).”

When I got to 21 years old, I decided I wanted to try something different, I had always played with the idea of boxing but never had the confidence to walk into the gym due to the stereo type of alpha males and violence if you don’t look the part. After a few weeks thinking about the gym I plucked up the courage to go. I went to a boxing gym where I met Colin Manners. Due to my overly large size and age I was over looked by some in the gym but Colin Manners gave me the encouragement to continue my journey.

Initially boxing was to lose weight and feel healthy again. After working with Colin for a period of six months or so and Colin getting me into shape, I told him I wanted to compete. I wanted to take this sport more seriously than a “get fit” guy, I wanted to be a “boxer”. We agreed I could do this, he had the faith in my ability and the conditioning he had taught me.

That’s when he introduced me to Sarah. We worked closely on nutrition, what am I eating?, why am I eating it?, what is it doing to my body?, do I need it? This approach was slowly getting instilled in my mind set. I worked closely with Sarah and Colin for another year to where my weight astonishingly dropped to 16 stone, fit, in shape, strong and my ability began to start showing through in my boxing too.

It has been a long, hard, consistent journey to get in shape and maintain the conditioning I have gained (even doing hill sprints at 6am in freezing conditions! or Sarah ringing like a big sister to ensure I’ve not eaten rubbish!) but with the faith shown in me from both Sarah and Colin, I am now an officially UK registered British Heavyweight Amateur Boxer. In February 2016, I won my first amateur fight with Colin and Sarah there to support me.

As long as I showed commitment and put in time and effort they would match that time, effort and commitment and the results speak for themselves.