Or more accurately a roundhouse kick.

About a month ago, I wrote about how I'd lost my mojo and didn't seem to want to do anything and I had lost my control over food.

I'm starting to get it back; I've been doing exercise that I enjoy without any focus on performance.

I've been back in the lake swimming and out on my bike helping some clients prepare for some big rides they have at the end of the summer.

It's been nice and started me on my way but something still wasn't clicking.

Last wek, one of my injury therapy clients contacted me and asked if I wanted a fight.  Don't worry, it was a thug life way of complaining, he's competing in the Tang Soo Do world championships later this week and wanted somebody to spar against for extra training.

I accepted and roped my friend Graham in as he's always up for a rumble.

We were fight in a 90 second round robin.  During one of the rounds, I took a perfectly timed and placed roundhouse kick to the chops.  I smiled tapped Graham's glove and carried on for the remainder of the round.  

At the end of the round I realised I was still smiling.  That boot in my face had made me realise how much I have missed sparring on a regular basis.  

A chance to get some frustrations out by hitting and being hit.  I have been doing martial arts for the whole of my adult life, it is a major part of my identity.

I think sometimes men are made to feel like they shouldn't have any Raahhh, that we shouldn't be men.

I've seen ladies go in a mood for having a door held open for them, spouting on about being equals.

If I hold a door open for somebody it is because I have manners and my Mum told me I should.  It doesn't mean that I think the person (I'm equal opportunities on door opening) in front of me is too weak to open it themselves.  

There is so much conflict in what is expected of men.

We are expected to be strong, not show weakness yet have compassion and use a ton of grooming products.

It is important for everybody to be who they are and if they are strong, that's cool but if at any point they need help they shouldn't feel judged to ask for it.

I often share too much information about the struggles I'm having.  I do so in the hope that it will let others know it's ok to not be perfect.  

That it's ok to seek help.  One of the Toughest people I know is really struggling at the minute.

He has posted about it on FB, the support those around him have shown has restored my faith in humanity.  

It's something I've noticed a lot in my time in martial arts, the truly toughest people are also some of the nicest you'll meet.  

They have no pretence, no bravado, they know who they are and are comfortable with that.

I bit of a random ramble today, the take home message is - be you, be happy with you, you are good enough and deserve everything you work for.

A kick in the face won't help everyone find their mojo, other methods are available.

If it's food or exercise you are struggling with, we can help.  Our summer bootcamp challenge starts in a couple of weeks.  More details later in the week.

Darren 'Daz-Man' Checkley