Thelo

29/05/2026

29/05/2026

I don't know about anyone else, but anxiety takes over, I feel like I'm moving through fog.

The cortisol is sky high.

I can't think clearly.

You feel defeated.

Emotions are irregular.

I go to the worst-case scenario.

All logic leaves my head.

I feel stuck like my feet are in cement.

I can't seem to find a solution.

I can only think negatively.

There doesn't seem to be an exit.

You're waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I'm sure I could think of a million different ones.

Doesn't anyone feel this way when their anxiety takes centre stage?

If you do, you're clearly not alone.

However, the one thing I have found to help is boxing.

Hitting the bag is one, but sparring is another.

It keeps me grounded, present, and in the moment.

If you want to learn how, please contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com

28/05/2026

Did you know that I have an online boxing program?

Where will you receive instructional videos on a variety of combinations.

I'm the one you'll see on the screen, showing you how to do it.

You get to choose from 15-minute, 30-minute, 45-minute, or 60-minute sessions.

You don't have to be fit.

It's for all ages.

You can do it on your own or with friends, family etc.

No experience is necessary, and the best bit you can rewatch over and over again.

You also get the opportunity to ask me a question or two.

If you want to learn more or sign up via the website, https://www.theloactivetherapy.com/

27/05/2026

Today, I thought I'd shared a snippet from my book The Boxer Within.

Something I believe that resonates with many of us.

Just a bit of background, during my competitive years, i suffered from performance anxiety. Now it's just anxiety.

Although it's in the context of a fight i had in 2011, it can apply to life in general.

Also, something i still have grappled with over the years.

'This is all I can think about. I am trying to think positively, eliminating any negative, which, by the way, includes people, but easier said than done. What if I lose again? What will people think? More importantly, what will my friends think? I don't think I can handle another loss; it would be the end of me. I don't think I would be able to show my face in the gym again.'

We get so caught in the external and forget to focus on ourselves. In my case, i would be exhausted before I even got in the ring. It wasn't great for boxing. I had to fight like hell, not just physically, but metaphorically to stay vertical.

But this was the narrative in my head, and I'm sure a lot of our heads.

What we forget, though, is exactly that. They just thought, not the reality of what is actually going on.

Let's just think about it: What's the worst that could happen? What if we could change the way we narrated that thought? Flipping it on its head.

How would we think differently?

Don't get me wrong, if you are conditioned to think this way, it may take months or many years of therapy.

However, in the interim, maybe one small change in how we see our thoughts could make a difference

Note: These are just my thoughts based on my own experiences facing the internal demon.

You may see things very differently.

That said, if this is a battle for you, seeking therapy might be something to consider.

www.theloactivetherapy.com

26/05/2026

I talk lots about boxing and its benefits, but there's another martial art that uses similar processes the same way.

Other than boxing, this is one of my most favourite martial arts.

As a fourth-degree black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima, I have not only competed nationally and internationally but have learned so many techniques in the process.

Just like boxing, there is attack and defence. In this case, striking and blocking. However, in this video, I am showing you just the strikes.

Each strike has a number starting from 1 to 13. Just like in the video with an odd number, you start with your right foot and even numbers you start with your left.

As you become more experienced, you learn to use both sides of the brain. For exery strike, you block, that's the most simplified explanation.

Just like boxing, you need to focus on each move, a kind of mindfulness.

And just like in karate, you can reach black belt status, but you don't begin as a white belt. You begin as a brown belt, progressing with black stripes. Until you reach a black belt.

If you would like to learn more about it, please contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com or DM me.

25/05/2026

This is one of my favourite quotes from Teddy Roosevelt.

It's actually quoted in the book Grit.

If you haven't read it, grab a copy.

This so accurately depicted that there is victory in trying.

Despite the errors and shortcomings, it's in the effort of trying, failing, and trying again.

Knowing that if he fails, at least he fails daring greatly.

You can't ask more of someone or yourself than being amongst the blood, sweat, and tears.

www.theloactivetherapy.com

25/05/2026

I CAN TEACH YOU?

I have over 20 years of boxing experience, plus 25 years of training and competing in a variety of martial arts, including kickboxing, karate, stickfighting, and some experience in jujitsu.

Skipping is a big part of boxing.

I have spent hours skipping, but it's not like the skipping you learn in school. It's a whole different ball game.

The good news is that once you learn how, you can't unlearn.

Of course, it also has plenty of health benefits, such as:

A 15-minute session can burn up to 300 calories.

It can improve your cardiovascular disease, specifically lower heart rate, anaerobic fitness, and VO2.

Increase bone density.

Better coordination and agility - hand-eye-leg coordination, balance, and, of course, agility.

It builds muscle endurance.

And MOST IMPORTANTLY! It's great for your mental health.

If you want to learn to skip like a boxer, contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com or DM me.

20/05/2026

For those that don't know, I wrote a book.

It was a while ago now, but it was such a carthetic process.

It's an autobiography mostly based on my experiences of growing up Greek, living in country South Australia, and later Adelaide.

Dealing with the stigma of mental health issues and how combining therapy and martial arts helped.

When i first began putting it together, I was worried about what people were going to think and say.

Then I didn't care because about other people, it was about me and my life.

It gave me a voice, an opportunity to express myself without judgement (although there was some).

It was my safe space, but then I realised it could be much more.

Especially when i found it was going to be published. Although that was just a pipe dream when I first began writing.

Who knew that it would come to fruition, but thanks to a friend of mine, it did.

She registered me to pitch the idea at the Adelaide Writing Festival.

The publisher told me that if I came back with a manuscript, he would publish it. Three years later, he kept his promise. Unfortunately, he's not with us anymore.

I was so proud of this achievement (and am still writing), and I believe if I can do it, anyone can.

You can purchase the book through any online booksellers.

20/05/2026

Some people think that boxing encourages violence, but that's such a myth.

BOXING has so many BENEFITS:

It can help you heal by connecting body and mind.

There is no space for overthinking while you're in it.

It requires you to stay present.

But, after allowing space for processing emotions

It can be a great addition to mainstream therapy.

It builds confidence, self-worth, and empowerment.

It teaches you emotional regulation, especially when you're sparring. You don't have time to go through the motions.

It helps create new neural pathways, known as neuroplasticity.

It teaches you discipline.

It helps you create the boxer within.

These are the things I have experienced through learning boxing.

If some or all resonate and you want to learn, don't hesitate to contact me via the website www.theloactivetherapy.com or DM.