Corinne 'Money Maker' Mears

WEEK 3 – ENJOYING THE RIDE (AND THE SWEAT)

The fear of the unknown has well and truly buggered off, and I’m now basking in the glow of family and friends who are weirdly proud of how much I’m sweating in public.

Training sessions are still a full-blown sweat-fest, but I’m finally starting to feel like I vaguely know what I’m doing. That gut-churning anxiety that used to hit just before stepping onto the gym floor? Gone.

We’re training three times a week and it goes a little something like this:

• Gus’ Gruelling Warm-Ups: Calling this a “warm-up” is like calling Mount Everest a brisk hike. It’s basically a workout in itself, complete with groans, gasps, and the occasional internal scream. Gus was away on Tuesday (hallelujah!) and last year’s fighter Loz stepped in. The room lit up with “Thank god, Gus is away” vibes… which lasted exactly 2 minutes before Loz morphed into Gus’ evil twin. Sweet smile, savage drills.

• Russian Roulette Floor Circuit: After the warm-up, we split into two groups. There’s a theory that if you tackle the floor circuit first, the worst is over. This is a lie. A beautiful, deceitful lie. I’ve finished on the bags a few times feeling like a broken wind-up toy. The circuit is a mash-up of shadow boxing, squats, burpees, push-ups, pad work, skipping, and whatever else they can dream up. All while being lovingly corrected by Shan (also a previous years fighter and all round top chick), Loz, Gus, and John. Constant encouragement, correction… and more correction.

• The Bags: I have a weird affection for this part. Mick and Paul are constantly tweaking my technique with the patience of saints. The combinations are getting more complex and now we have to move while punching—rude. My heart rate usually decides to flirt with cardiac arrest during this session. Turns out, boxing is exhausting. Who knew?

Mild panic this week with a shoulder and elbow situation after a hyperextension. Two days off and we’re back in business—clearly only minor.

Also, I’ve started wearing my mouthguard! After a few classy gags (literally), I’m mostly used to it. Bonus: it makes my teeth look fabulously white. We’re only allowed clear or white mouthguards so the ref can see the blood. Cheery thought. No jewellery allowed either—Leslie reminded the guys to remove their Prince Alberts. Love her sense of humour, cracks me up.

No cliques in this crew—everyone’s getting along and mixing from day one. 

Speaking of public embarrassment: did anyone catch my two seconds of Insta fame? Yep, that little Corporate Clash pre-interview clip of me playing with my hair like I was auditioning for a shampoo commercial. How very humbling. Honestly, I thought I was channeling cool and composed.

Lessons this week:

• Small slips, not dramatic ducks that throw you into a cartwheel.

• Small, quick steps.

• Apparently, you can win a boxing match without even throwing a punch. Still not sure if they’re having me on, but apparently defence and strategy score points. Wild.

The countdown to sparring has begun. Coaches keep dropping it into conversation like it’s no big deal. I’m equal parts pumped and petrified. But honestly? I think I’m doing okay—no better or worse than the rest. And I’m loving the ride. The friendships forming already are gold, and I’m weirdly excited for our post-session Saturday coffee catch-ups.

Johnny’s House of Pain

WEEK 1: REALITY CHECK

My First Boxing Training Session: Exhaustion, Reality Check, and the Start of Something New

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be stepping into a boxing ring, I probably would’ve laughed it off. I’ve always been someone who appreciates general fitness, but boxing? That was a whole new ballgame. But yesterday marked the day to get started — and I walked out of my first session feeling exhausted, unfit, and, strangely, incredibly motivated.

The Excitement Before the Exhaustion

The moment I walked into the gym, I could feel the energy. The sounds of gloves hitting pads, the rhythmic thud of feet shuffling on the mat, and the focus in the air – it was intense. I had watched enough boxing matches and training montages to think, “This is gonna be fun.” I couldn’t wait to get started.

But then, it hit me. Reality.

The Warm-Up: A Wake-Up Call

I started with a basic warm-up, which I expected to be a simple stretch and maybe a few light drills. Wrong. It felt like a workout on its own. Star jumps, shadowboxing, footwork drills — all designed to get the heart pumping and the body ready for what was about to come. My body wasn’t exactly used to moving in all the ways boxing demands. My legs felt heavy, my arms wobbled a bit, and I was already breathing harder than I thought I would.

At this point, I was already thinking, “I should’ve prepared better.”

But Gus reassured me — “This is just the beginning. You'll get stronger, faster, and more skilled.” The words stuck with me. It wasn’t supposed to be easy. Boxing, after all, is as much about mental toughness as physical strength.

The Technical Drills: More Humbling Than I Expected

Next up were the actual boxing drills. I learned some basic stances, jabs, crosses, and hooks. Easy enough, right? Wrong. It’s one thing to throw a punch in the air (which I did countless times in front of the mirror), but it’s another to do it with form and technique. John patiently and steadily explained and demonstrated. I absorbed what I could but mostly kept thinking rubbing my belly and patting my head would take less coordination. My punches felt strong but clumsy, and definitely not pretty.

Enter Mick. Mick reminded me numerous times to slow down and focus only on my technique (no haymakers Corinne) then finished with 'I can tell something is inside you just waiting to get out'. LOL

I quickly realized how unfit I really was for this. Every punch, every movement required not just strength but coordination and endurance. Boxing works muscles I didn’t even know I had, and by the time we were halfway through the session, I was already drenched in sweat.

I wasn’t prepared for how taxing it would be. But here's the thing — I kept going. Even though my arms felt like they were made of lead, and every jab seemed a little less clean than the last, I kept pushing through. Because the goal isn’t perfection at the start; it’s progress.

The Cool Down: Reflection and Realization

By the time the session ended, I was completely exhausted. I felt like I had been through a battle — and in many ways, I had. I had fought my own limits, pushing myself beyond what I thought I was capable of.

I was quickly informed the sessions always finish with planks... Jesus Christ my weakness. 5 minutes John wants us to hit... my eyes dart around the room to see if anyone else is also wondering if he's joking. He's not. My result: 30 long god damn seconds. Got some work to do sorry Johnny.

But even though my body was tired and sore, I was mentally invigorated. There was a part of me that couldn’t wait for the next session. This was just the beginning, after all. The start of a new chapter.

Lessons Learned and What’s Next

My first boxing session taught me a lot:

• Patience is Key: I wasn’t going to become a pro overnight. It’s all about consistent effort and gradually improving.

• Focus on Form: Strength without form is just force, and I learned quickly that technique is everything in boxing.

• No Quick Fixes: Fitness is a journey, not a destination. I’m unfit right now, but I won’t be forever.

The exhaustion I felt today was a reminder of how far I have to go, but it was also a sign of how much room there is to grow. Boxing isn’t just a workout — it’s a mindset. And I’m committed to sticking with it, even when it gets tough.

So, here’s to the beginning. I know I’ll be sore tomorrow, but I’m already looking forward to the next training session. After all, progress doesn’t happen in one day — but it does start today.

Weigh In: 84 kgs (eeek, can't believe I'm saying that publicly)

Calories burned in session 1: 852!