Partner White Collar Boxing 2019

This March, CloudShift’s very own Sam, Gar and Ant will be partaking in the annual Salesforce Partner White Collar Boxing event. The Shifties will be entering the ring to raise money for Sports Traider – a charity providing sports facilities and equipment for children who are struggling with financial hardship or disability. We caught up with Sam Cheung, Cloud Consultant, who signed up to the Partner Boxing event this year for the first time…

1. Sam, what made you decide to sign up to this challenge?

I witnessed my colleagues Ant and Sam participate last year and thought it was a great event! I didn’t feel confident myself to do it however after much goading from my colleagues Garhing and Michael I decided to do it. The charity Sports Traider is also a great cause to commit to, so that is also a motivation to know that my efforts of being smashed, will help young kids get that opportunity to really explore their athletic ambitions.

2. How often have you been training, and what does training involve exactly?

I haven’t been training as often as I should! The training is extremely hardcore for a guy who is normally gluttonous and doughy. This is like slamming myself against a brick wall and then getting rolled down by a giant rolling pin! Essentially there are two core sessions a week with optional sessions ongoing. The training itself is a hardcore 20-30 min circuit workout followed by going straight into technical boxing drills or sparring! The circuit usually consists of, Burpees, Squats, Crunches, High Jumps, High Knee Shots, I could go on… Usually, this means it is an intensive 1 hour or 1.5-hour session with very minimal resting time.

3. Have you found you have had to make any sacrifices?

I’ve had to change my diet significantly to try and avoid all the bad stuff. Junk Food and intense exercise do not mix well together at all! Overall, I’ve been more conscious about my health and my active physical capabilities. Let’s just say if it was like stealing candy from a baby, the baby would catch up and outrun me.

4. How has it been training with your colleagues Ant and Gar, are they competitive?

They are very competitive! The random chances we had to spare each other – they would lay into me so hard instead. I would just hold back the tears of pain and wish it was over.  I have super high hopes they will win their matches on the night!

5. What’s been the toughest part of the training?

The discipline is the hardest. To keep training and motivation consistent, when my body and mind want to hibernate. It’s has changed my mindset and the adjustment to a sudden change in fitness and lifestyle has been a bumpy ride – but one I don’t regret!

6. What have you found most rewarding?

The feeling when I’ve completed an intense session. It’s an amazing feeling when you’re tasked with an intensive workout to do which you have no confidence in doing, but somehow you pull it off and get through the session. I won’t get to where I need to be elegantly, but the rush of getting there at all is an extremely rewarding experience.

7. Do you think you will sign up to similar challenges in future?

Maybe something that is not as cardio – intensive! But yes, I am always up for anything that piques my interest in the future, like kayaking or bouldering perhaps! Find out more about our Pledge 1% commitment here.