Mike Tyson and You

This past Friday night the 58 year-old boxer Mike Tyson fought 27 year-old Jake Paul. The fight went the distance with Jake Paul winning a unanimous decision.

For those of us in Generation X growing up in the 1980’s, Mike Tyson was a legend. Definitely one of the greatest boxers at all time. He won the Heavyweight Boxing title at only 20 years old. Most of his fights never lasted more than a round or two. Knockouts were expected.

He was brutal.

I didn’t watch the fight. I’m too cheap. I was definitely cheering for Tyson though, even though I knew he probably didn’t have much of a chance.

Besides nostalgia purposes, I was cheering for Mike because he did step in the ring at 58 years  of age. He is my age. From what I could tell, he trained his heart out for this fight.

Mike Tyson was born to box. He loves stepping into the ring and feels at home there.

While training for the fight back in July, he wasn’t feeling so good. When he was on a flight to Miami, he threw up blood. His bowel movements looked very unhealthy.

The doctor told him he had a bleeding ulcer. It was very serious. He lost 25 lbs in 11 days.

In his own words:

“I asked the doctor if I’m going to die, and she didn’t say no, she said, ‘We have options, though,’ and that’s when I got nervous. I can’t wait to get out of this m— man, I want to fight and get back to training.”

“I. Want. To. Fight. And. Get. Back. To. Training.” (I wasn’t sure the best way to emphasize that last sentence)

Mike had a purpose. He had a reason to live. And his wish came true.

People might say he had 20 million reasons to become healthier, which was his payday for the fight. I don’t think that is it. He is probably doing ok financially.

He recovered because he had a chance to do again what he loves to do. He wanted to step in that ring again so badly.

The critics were everywhere. People said this is cruel. It is sad. Mike should just take it easy.

The inertia was intense to just continue enjoying retirement for Tyson.

Same thing happens to so many of us. Family and friends tell us to lighten up.

“You’re getting old. Of course you don’t feel so good.”

Ever hear of people dropping dead right after they retire? There is a large amount of evidence to back it up.

There are also lots of stories of people working into their 8th, 9th, even 10th decade of life. Those people seem relatively healthy their whole lives.

The lesson? Stay active doing what you love doing. Don’t think of retirement as  the time to do nothing.

Sure you may have more time to relax. But don’t give up on what you love to do. Even if it is hard. Obviously you won’t be able to do the same things you could do decades ago. That shouldn’t make you quit your passion entirely though.

When you do suffer a setback, set your mind on ‘getting back into the ring’.

Try to be like Mike.