Feeling yourself is the strongest value

Giulia Pezzullo

© photo by giulia pezzullo

I did kickboxing.

I did kickboxing for six years and people always called me strong: “Oh, so you really are strong!”.

I remember like it was yesterday the moment I have entered my first kickboxing class: shoes off, tatami, mirrors all around, a bunch of smiles and heavy metal music. Nobody told me I needed to be strong, nobody told me I needed to be something in particular; my trainer just asked me if that was my first time. I remember how I immediately felt in love with that sport. Day by day, I have learnt how to kick and punch, how to take, how to fall. I had bruises everywhere on my legs, I have injured several times my gums and my cheeks, I have lost my contact lenses and fought not seeing, I have puked for having trained too hard. I perceived my body stronger than ever. I didn’t perceive stronger muscles; I just had the strong feeling that I was there for myself and that I could do and face anything on my way.

Being strong is a choice. You can be there for you or not, you can defend yourself or let people be strong over you. Strong to have a purpose and deal it. Strong to be what you feel to be. Strong to support people you love. Strong to feel bad. Strong to scream your name. Strong to be proud of yourself.

So, yes, I really am strong.

Because I’m a woman, I’m an engineer, I’ve lived in four different countries, I was an intern in Asia, I graduated with honour, I’m working on something special for my future; I know who I am and I’m proud. And, of course, I did kickboxing.