Leasa Collins

3AM Thoughts: The Final Round of Training

It’s 3am. My hotel room is quiet, the world is asleep—and yet, here I am, writing this blog. Because tonight marks our last official training session before fight night. And like many of us taking part in The Clash, sleep is a little harder to come by these days. Our minds are racing with anticipation, nerves, and just a few mental fight montages set to Eye of the Tiger.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind—equal parts adrenaline, doubt, and reflection. What started as a bucket list item has grown into something more.

In the last month alone, four colleagues I know and work closely with have been impacted by cancer. Three of these are watching their mums go through it, just like I did. One is facing the battle himself. And amidst all that, I heard a glimmer of hope—a teammate shared the amazing news that his wife has just beaten cancer again.

So if I’ve questioned what I’m doing here (and I have, especially after a rough Tuesday session), I’ve also been reminded why I’m doing it.

Last night, I attended an event where we heard from Sam Bloom—mother of three boys similar age to mine, paralysed in an accident, and somehow still a four-time world para surfing champion. Her story of resilience, grit, and family hit me —and hit me exactly when I needed it most.

The overall theme of her talk emphasised you can’t control what happens to you. But you can control how you respond.

And I thought—yes. That’s it. That’s why we train. That’s why we fight. That’s why we show up.

Just a few months ago, I wouldn’t even walk into a gym. Now, I’m about to walk into a boxing ring. My goal was never to win. It was simply to do. To show up. To push myself. To commit.  To give back.

John summed it up beautifully in our group chat last night:

“Boxing focuses on the individual.
Mental focus brings out the best in you.
The hardest battle is you against you.
You have already won by getting here.
Now put it all on the line.”

So win or lose on fight night—we’ve already won. Every one of us.

Next week brings yoga, clean eating, a final group dinner, and (hopefully) a bit of rest. And while I can’t wait for fight night, a few of us might be even more excited for the post-fight drinks with this incredible group of people we’ve trained alongside. I’ll genuinely miss the camaraderie, the shared sweat, and the laughs—yes, even the burpees.

To all the trainers and fighters—thank you again. We’ve smashed our fundraising goal, but the mission isn’t over. If you haven’t donated yet, please consider it. Every dollar goes toward supporting not just those battling cancer, but their families too. One day, it could be someone you love who needs that help. Let’s be there for them—now.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

Let’s finish strong.

Week 10 Update: Not Long Now

The last two weeks have flown by in a whirlwind of training sessions, sparring rounds, advice I can barely keep up with, and—unsurprisingly—more visits to the physio. There have been a lot of punches thrown (and received), and let’s just say my muscles are filing a formal complaint.

This fortnight, I’ve been trying to simplify things by focusing on just one skill each session—because trying to remember everything at once is like trying to juggle flaming kettlebells. Progress? Yes, kind of. I’ve finally started moving my feet a bit better... but then I forgot something small like blocking punches. That lesson came courtesy of one of my sparring sessions that left me feeling more deflated than a flat tire. Turns out, 21-year-olds have a stamina setting I can’t seem to locate.

I just hope on fight night I remember how to throw a punch and defend myself—especially against Gemma, who may be smaller but she’s fast, fierce, fit and knows how to land a shot.  We’ve both worked hard, and I know it’s going to be a great match.

To boost my chances of survival (and maybe even success), I’ve managed to squeeze in a few extra training sessions with some of the regular girls. These sessions have been full of helpful tips, plenty of laughs, and some much-needed extra practice. Hopefully, it all adds up to a fight worth watching. Win or lose, I know Gemma and I have both poured our hearts into this—and that alone is something to be proud of.

Last Thursday night was particularly sobering. One of the fighters from a previous year came to share his story—he’s around 30, and recently diagnosed with bowel cancer. Suddenly, the fight we’re training for feels tiny compared to the one he’s facing now. It really put things into perspective and reminded us why we’re doing this in the first place.

Nerves are starting to bubble up in the group, but for now, I’m still riding the wave of excitement. I can’t believe there are only two official training weeks left before we hit pre-fight week. We’re already starting to ask ourselves: What on earth are we going to do with all this time when it’s over? Hopefully not return to my former gym-hating ways—but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

We've also had an amazing influx of extra people jumping in to support our training—alongside the dedicated regulars. These legends have volunteered their time to take 22 mostly-unfit, inexperienced boxers and help mould us into something resembling fighters. A huge thank you to John, Mick, Chantal, Lauren, Paul, Gus, Travis, Jackie, Katie, Ben, Joanna, and all the fellow fighters who, despite focusing on their own training, have consistently taken the time to guide and support the rest of us. (If I missed your name, blame my memory, not my appreciation—I am genuinely terrible with names.)

Lastly, a massive milestone: I’ve hit my fundraising goal! I’m currently sitting at $4,645—which is a huge achievement and a reminder of what this whole journey is really about. Every dollar raised is a punch thrown in the right direction.

Thanks again for following along—I promise to keep training hard, dodging what I can, and doing my best to remember that yes, blocking is important.

Weeks 6–8: Planes, Punches, and a Whole Lot of Sparring

These past few weeks have been nothing short of chaotic. Between the weigh-ins, sparring, and the long-awaited fight announcements, everything’s starting to feel very real. But I’ll hold off on spilling all the juicy match-up details until the end.

Thanks to the end of the financial year, work turned into a full-blown sprint — complete with a bit of interstate travel for extra flair. At one point, I was in three states in one day, juggling meetings and then racing to make it to training. I mean… six weeks ago, you couldn’t have bribed me out of bed to train. Now I’m plane-hopping to get punched in the face. Progress, right?

Weeks 6 and 7 went by in a bit of a blur. The usual Tuesday and Thursday training sessions, followed by Saturday sparring (and our beloved post-fight coffees). Sadly, we had to skip coffee one week. I think many of us had FOMO, until we found out it didn’t actually occur on this day.  Despite this, the sessions stayed strong.

One highlight of these weeks was sparring with Chantal and Lauren — two absolute legends. Their insights, support, and unfiltered “what-to-expect-on-fight-night” advice have been priceless. They’re not just training partners; they’re guides showing us how to manage the chaos before, during, and after stepping into the ring.  Great inspiration for the girls in the group.

I’ve also been had a session with Mick and John on technique. Both of them zeroed in on the same thing I need to improve (spoiler: it's not too my left hook), and have been incredibly encouraging. My mission over the next four weeks is to actually take their advice on board… and ideally not get KO’d in the process.

Nine Rounds and One Big Realisation

This week, I added an extra training day. It was a smaller group — mostly the regular girls, Corrinne, and one of the guys who fought last year — and it ended up being one of my favourite sessions so far.

We warmed up, then went straight into 9 x 2-minute rounds. That’s three rounds with three different opponents. Light sparring (no headgear), but for the first time, I thought: “Okay, maybe 3x2-minute rounds on fight night won’t kill me.” That optimism faded slightly after Saturday’s session where I sparred Pip — headgear and all — and definitely felt the intensity shift.

There’s been a shift. More people are opening up, more tears are being shed, and the pressure is starting to build. The reality of fight night is settling in. Sparring with the guys has been surprisingly great — they coach us as much as they challenge us. That said, I’m avoiding the tall ones going forward. I’ve met my opponent now — no need to keep sparring the tall ones.

Each session, I try to focus on one thing. The downside? I usually forget the thing I nailed the session before. But that’s part of the ride — progress doesn’t always feel linear, but it’s happening.

We wrapped this period with some raw, honest podcast-style interviews that’ll be shown on the night. Talking about why we’re all doing this, the impact of cancer, and what comes next was emotional — and powerful. I may have even said “I love training”… which, if you know me, is shocking.

And now for the big reveal: my opponent is… Gemma. Yep — I had actually had a dream where we were fighting (so clearly, I’ve got a future in psychic predictions). She’s probably the fittest person in the entire group — shorter than me, fast, and fierce. We’ve only sparred once before, and it was pre-mouthguard — but I genuinely had a blast.

I’m not here to win or lose — I’m here for the experience, the cause, and the incredible people. I can’t wait to see every single one of us step into the ring and watch our hard work come to life.

Help Me Hit the Goal

As we head into the final stretch, I’m just shy of my fundraising goal. If you’ve been thinking about donating, now’s the perfect time to jump in and get a tax deduction — even $10 makes a difference. We all know someone affected by cancer, and this fight is about more than fists and footwork. It’s about hope, healing, and a heck of a lot of heart.

Link to donate 👉   https://give.rarecancers.org.au/fundraisers/leasacollins/corporate-clash

Let’s finish this fight strong — inside the ring and out.

Weeks 4 & 5 Update: A Test of Progress and Patience

These past two weeks have flown by — a real mix of momentum and unexpected hurdles.

Week 4 brought a sense of accomplishment. I completed all my training sessions and began to notice real improvements, especially as we increased our time in the ring. Sparring is becoming more regular, and we're now focusing more on technique within the ring environment — a great way to get comfortable under pressure. As always, the highlight of the week was our Saturday session, followed by coffee and camaraderie with the girls — a tradition that keeps spirits high.

However, the progress wasn’t without its setbacks. Increasing pain in my right knee forced me to start physiotherapy. My new routine includes regular icing, targeted exercises, and, unfortunately, a pause on netball. After attending a close friend’s 50th — which included lots of stairs and wearing heels — I had to make another adjustment: flat shoes are now my go-to until fight night.

Week 5 took a different turn. Although I had planned to miss Thursday's session due to work travel, I hadn’t expected to miss the entire weekday training lineup. A combination of a nasty flu and ongoing knee issues meant only Saturday’s session was possible — but I made it count. Surprisingly, I felt a real sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) when I couldn't train, which just shows how much this journey has come to mean to me.

There’s some good news: while the swelling and flexibility in my knee are still works in progress, strength has noticeably improved. With Week 6 around the corner, I’m hopeful I can stay injury-free and return to building momentum.

I’m getting close to my goal, though donations have slowed a bit. The colder season has also taken its toll, with a few of the group sidelined by illness. That said, the energy remains focused — we’re all pushing through.

Thanks for following along — here's to better knees, consistent training, and finishing strong.

Week 3 – Progress, Punches & Post-Training Coffees

After missing my usual Sunday massage, I kicked off the week with a much-needed Monday massage. From now on, “Massage Mondays” will replace my Monday gym sessions—at least until my legs are strong enough to handle the extra workload. My right calf and quad are still incredibly tight, which has been causing a fair bit of pain in my right knee. But despite the discomfort, I managed to push through and stay on track.

This week began with a quick video update for the socials—then straight into training. Tuesday’s session felt noticeably easier than previous weeks. I think my body is finally starting to adapt to these intense sessions, which is a great feeling. Trainer Gus, our usual warm-up drill sergeant, was away that day. (I think there was a quiet sense of relief in the group!) He’s kind of like Ant Middleton from SAS Australia—if Ant had a strong European accent. But the relief was short-lived, as Lauren (a fighter from last year) stepped in, and she definitely didn’t take it easy on us. Any hopes of a “chill” session were quickly dashed.

The good news: my punches are improving, and I’m finally remembering to protect my face. The challenge: every time I master one thing, I seem to forget another. This week, it was my footwork. Hopefully, next week I’ll be able to tie it all together—punching, posture, footwork, and defence—in one smooth combo. That’s the dream!

Sessions run for about an hour and 40 minutes now, but I no longer feel like collapsing by the end. In fact, I’ve started to genuinely enjoy them.

Saturday brings my favourite session. For the first time during training, I accidentally punched someone in the face. We were just practicing defence moves, and my instincts kicked in a little too well—definitely not intentional! That session ended with a few rounds in the ring. I assumed we’d do one two-minute round… but as soon as I caught my breath, the trainer said, “Let’s go again.” That second round felt endless. Right now, I honestly can’t imagine doing three full rounds on fight night—but it’s still early days, and I know I’ll get there.

We wrapped up with our usual post-session coffee with the girls—plus trainer Chantal, and Jimmy and Patty, two adorable kids who come along with their mum. I definitely think they enjoy these Saturday coffees more than watching us train! We get to relax, eat, and bombard Chantal with questions about previous years' events. It’s become the perfect way to end the week.

My goal for Week 4: to finally sync up punching, posture, footwork, and defending my face—all at the same time. Here’s hoping! Wish me luck.

WEEK TWO: Finding My Rhythm, Feeling the Burn – and Staying the Course

After wrapping up Week One of training, I treated myself to a well-earned massage. With calves and quads tighter than ever—and some discomfort around my right knee—it was clear my body needed some TLC. The intensity of this journey is real, and recovery is just as important as the work I’m putting in.

I’ve started to realise that squeezing in two gym sessions per week on top of our official training schedule might be a bit ambitious. Still, I pushed through and made it to the gym on Monday night, determined to stay committed. From there, it was back into the routine: training Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, followed by my usual Saturday netball game—though I’ve sensibly requested to play only half-games when possible.

A highlight this week was the arrival of my MyZone tracker on Tuesday. It’s been eye-opening to see the data behind the effort. That first night, I spent 3 minutes in the “red zone” (over 90% of my maximum heart rate). By Thursday’s session, I managed 12 minutes in that same high-intensity zone—mainly during the boxing bag drills. The app describes this zone as “maximum effort—borderline passing out”—and honestly, it feels pretty accurate! But it’s also a powerful reminder that my fitness is improving week by week, even if my middle child insists I’m heading for a heart attack.

Coordination is still a work in progress, but every session brings a little more confidence and control. This week, I definitely felt stronger during the workouts, though the recovery afterwards was tougher. Whether that’s a good sign or not, time will tell.

Saturday ended on a high note, not just with training but with a much-needed coffee catch-up with some of the girls and one of our fantastic trainers Chantal. It was an inspiring chance to learn from her experience and to appreciate the incredible support we’re getting—not just in the ring, but around it. The community and camaraderie are as vital as the training itself.

By Sunday, I had to admit defeat—there was no time for another massage, and my body felt it. I’ll likely skip my Monday gym session in favour of some much-needed recovery. With travel for work coming up this week, staying active and focused while on the move (and away from my usual diet) will be its own challenge—but one I’m ready to take on.

On a positive note, I hit my 2-minute plank goal again this week—small but meaningful wins are keeping me going.

And now to the most important part: fundraising.
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve raised over $3,400 toward my $4,000 goal! I'm deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed, whether financially or through words of encouragement. Your support keeps me motivated during the toughest sessions and reminds me why I’m doing this.

If you haven’t yet donated and would like to support a cause that’s empowering, challenging, and truly life-changing—not just for me, but for those we're helping—please consider making a contribution. Every dollar helps and every message lifts me higher.

Until next week—onward, stronger, and (hopefully) slightly more coordinated!

Week 1: Hitting the Ground Running

The first week of Corporate Clash training kicked off with a pre-program session on Sunday. It was an introduction to the fundamentals of boxing—how to properly wrap our hands, adopt the right stance, breathe effectively, and move with intention. We also touched on mindset and footwork, giving us a taste of what’s to come over the next 12 weeks.

Having never set foot in a boxing gym before, the experience was completely new for me. It began with a walkthrough of the training structure, followed immediately by what was described as an “easy” session. If that was easy, I knew I was in for a serious challenge.

The warm-up alone was more intense than my regular gym workouts—which I had only just started a few weeks prior. I’m incredibly grateful to the friends who advised me to begin general fitness training before this program began. Without that small foundation, I’m not sure I would have made it through the first hour. In hindsight, a few more months of preparation would’ve made a big difference. I was just starting to enjoy regular exercise before being thrown into the deep end of boxing training.

From there, the regular Tuesday and Thursday sessions began. After a group warm-up, we split into two groups—one heading to a cardio circuit and the other working the boxing bags—before switching over. Every session concluded with a group cooldown and a two-minute plank. That might sound easy to some, but for me, even 30 seconds felt impossible at first.

I started the week clumsy and out of sync, struggling through exercises and barely holding a plank. This didn’t surprise anyone who knows me—and to be honest, many are following my journey more for laughs than boxing inspiration.

The week wrapped up with our first official weigh-in. I looked at the number on the scale in disbelief. Despite feeling stronger and more active, I was 5kg heavier than expected. My increased appetite from hitting the gym over recent weeks had clearly caught up with me. It was a sobering moment, but it added more motivation to the challenge ahead.

What stood out most in week one, though, was the shift in group dynamics. On day one, the atmosphere was polite but friendly—like a BBQ where everyone naturally split by gender. But by the end of the week, there was a noticeable change. People began sharing tips, encouragement, and laughs. One teammate recommended a heart rate monitor after discovering we were burning upwards of 850 calories in a single session—double my normal gym output. I bought one that week. Another shared her mindset technique for surviving the dreaded plank, which actually helped me complete the full two minutes. Our coach expects us to build to five minutes by the end, which feels ambitious but no longer impossible.

Saturday brought the optional 8 a.m. session, which I attended despite running on little sleep. It turned out to be my favorite of the week—slightly lower intensity, but our first chance to get into the ring. It was smaller than the one we’ll eventually fight in, but it gave a valuable glimpse into what it really feels like inside the ropes.

It was a tough start, but I’m determined to attend every session possible, aside from work travel. I even managed to squeeze in a gym session and a netball game outside of official training—something I couldn’t have imagined a few months ago.

Looking ahead, I know each week will ramp up in intensity, but I’m more excited than intimidated.

On a high note, I’ve already raised just over $2,000—halfway to my fundraising goal of $4,000.

Bring on week 2!