FIGHTING TALK

FIGHTING

TALK A boxing club is the unlikely setting for a recovery programme that helps people with mental health issues. Jo Henwood went to visit.

I was never a bad person, I just made poor life choices.

Martin Murray (back left) shows trainees the ropes. Scott Adam is a dual diagnosis nurse.

Tommy (right) can still pack a punch when he whacks the boxing pads. F ormer British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Martin Murray is pulling no punches when it comes to mental health.

The retired professional boxer, whose Think Fast Academy in St Helens helps hard to reach young people find social support, has now turned his skills to helping older adults living with mental illness. It all began quite by chance when Mersey Care dual diagnosis nurse Scott Adam (above right) enquired about boxing training for his own son.

With little personal experience of the traditionally working class sport Scott soon realised that the training might work for his clients who have dual needs such as enduring mental health conditions and substance abuse.

A group now meets every week at the Parr Sports and Community Centre on Derbyshire Hill Road to ‘whack pads’ with Martin and enjoy a cuppa together afterwards.

Scott says: “A lot of substances are very potent and people can perceive a brief improvement in mood which helps cope with distress but can often lead to feeling worse the following day – we have all experienced this with the short term anti-anxiety effects of alcohol. “I wanted to help some of my clients find a healthier activity that would offer a natural high, a sense of achievement.” Less than six months in and the new boxers are already reporting positive benefits including stopping smoking and weight loss and one even tells Scott ‘it keeps me off the wards.’ 70 year old Tommy, who has two replacement knees, can still pack a powerful punch. A lot of the success is down to Martin’s natural rapport with the group and everyone has a mutual respect for each other.

He said: “I grew up in St Helens and I always boxed. When I was 18, I went off the rails and I went to prison four times. “I was never a bad person, I just made poor life choices.” In 2006 Martin met his wife Gemma, turned professional in 2007 and contested four world titles before retirement in 2017.

He is aware that Scott’s group are dealing with complex mental health issues, but he focuses on the physical release that can be achieved by punching a bag, hurling a ball or employing clever footwork to avoid an opponent’s jab. “Good technique is great,” says Martin. “But it is not the be all and end all. We aren’t trying to create the next world champion, but we want to make everyone as resilient as they can be.” Battle ropes, cycling exercises, ball work and resistance training help build that resilience before everyone gets a chance to put on their boxing gloves and whack those pads. Scott also takes part in the session which he says has a positive effect on the relationship between clinician and patient. “We are all equal in that gym,” he says: “At the end people are more chatty, more expressive and more reactive. “I really believe that this can help empower people and I can see everyone has a real sense of achievement.”

BOXING CLEVER

PAUL’S STORY

Paul Boyd (above) wishes he had found boxing when he was 19 and his anxiety began. His life was turned upside down when his girlfriend left him with a small baby. By 25 he had a breakdown and five years ago he tried to take his own life.

Now 59, Paul admits that he wasn’t keen on the boxing idea when it was first suggested by his occupational therapist, but is now the keenest advocate for its benefits both physically and mentally.

“I was flat out on the floor after my first session.

I had never done anything like it in my life.”

“It’s not about going out and punching someone – it gives you focus,” says Paul who regularly practises meditation, EFT (emotional freedom technique using tapping) and gardening to improve his mental health.

After the strenuous session of footwork, bag punching and circuit training, Paul is out of breath. “Since I have been coming here I feel so much better, as I have to make myself take long, deep breaths. Martin teaches us to breath in through the nose and out through the mouth.”

Paul also recognises the physical benefits of the exercise.

“I spent all my life in the building trade. I am a bricklayer and I am right handed so I really notice how hard I have to work my left hand on the ropes,” he said. Paul enjoys the meditation, a chance to be thankful for the session and to look forward to positive outcomes for the rest of the day. When Scott asked Paul how he felt before the session, he ticked ‘Good’. When he finished, he ticked ‘Very Good’. That can’t be bad.

It’s not about punching someone – it gives you focus.

TRY IT YOURSELF

Most boxing clubs welcome newcomers and usually offer a pay as you go option rather than having to commit to a membership. Many offer separate classes for children, young people and women so ask for further details.

To find out more about the Wild Card Boxing Club at the Parr Sports and Community Centre in St Helens, telephone 01744 753627 or email thepscc@outlook.com Follow Martin Murray on Twitter @MartinMurrayBox