“Where the Head Goes, the Body Follows.”

A Lesson in Mental Resilience

In the world of kickboxing, there’s a fundamental principle that holds true: “Where your head goes, your body follows.” These words, spoken by my former kickboxing coach, Mr. Manuel (during a crucial fight–one I really needed to win), carry a profound meaning not only in the physical realm of kickboxing but also in the mental and emotional aspects of our lives. I believe this principle holds great significance in my personal journey of overcoming challenges and setbacks and the power of maintaining a resilient mindset. Let’s face it, if you have a heartbeat, you’re going to experience some jabs to the mind.

This summer, I was faced with three surgeries and a life-threatening scare. I found myself in a literal battle for my life. Drawing a parallel to kickboxing, I realized that just as blocking the head is crucial in the sport, protecting the mind is equally vital in the face of life’s adversities. The mantra became clear: “Where your head goes, your body follows.”

The struggle wasn’t just physical; it extended into the mental and emotional realms. Amid the trials, I began to understand even more how succumbing to negative thoughts or hosting a pity party impeded the healing process. 

In fact, one of my doctors helped me get my mind on track by shooting it straight with me. I kept asking him, “When can I work out again?” And he finally said to me, “Tara, you need to quit worrying about working out and start worrying about living! That’s where we are right now.” It sounds harsh, but I had to redirect my mindset. I was setting myself up for failure by thinking too far into the future, and every response to that question was knocking me down again.  

So, I began setting small goals and focusing on incremental improvements. I consciously directed my mind toward progress, no matter how small the goal. Getting my IV out. Getting out of the hospital. Getting to walk 200 meters, 400 meters, etc. And I began healing physically. We started seeing progress. Each doctor’s appointment and CAT scan showed the infection getting smaller and smaller. It was astounding how quickly the progress shifted in an upward direction. I just needed to remember that the body responds to the signals sent by the mind.

Thinking back to that kickboxing match where my mental fatigue led to a big loss, I was reminded how critical the role of the mind is in shaping our outcomes. In that fight, I lost in my mind long before I did in the ring. Then, the literal jabs to the head, that I couldn’t seem to block to save my life, eventually took my body down. However, I was fully capable of beating that girl. I had only lost a couple of matches until that fight.

Why did I go down? Because losing inside the mind meant the body couldn’t perform as trained. That is a lesson applicable not only in the ring but also in navigating life’s challenges. The message is clear: Guard your mind, stay standing, and keep fighting!

In this journey of life, we all face challenges that test our resilience, courage, and determination. The principle of “Where the head goes, the body follows” is a guiding light, reminding us to protect our minds from negative influences and stay focused on the next best step toward our goals. I know this year’s surgeries, the life-threatening scare, and many other silent battles have challenged my mindset.

As you navigate your own challenges, remember to block those mental jabs, stay standing, and keep fighting. You’ve got this! “Where the head goes, the body follows”—so keep your head high, keep living, and fulfill your purpose on this Earth. The world is a better place because YOU are in it!

Episode 39 of the #RealJourneyShow

During Episode 39, I share how a quote from my former kickboxing coach still rings true in my life today!

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