Mike Tyson Was Right—Here’s Why That Matters
Boxing and diving are worlds apart. One is a brutal combat sport where fighters absorb and dish out punishment for a living. The other is an elegant yet physically demanding display of precision, where the biggest opponent is often yourself. But when you strip them both down, high performance is high performance. The best in any sport share a common approach—discipline, resilience, and the ability to adapt under pressure.
I’ve always admired boxers. Their ability to prepare relentlessly, believe in themselves completely, and adapt in the moment is something that applies to far more than just fighting. If I stepped into a boxing training camp, I have no doubt it would break me in every way possible. But there are lessons from their world that I, and anyone striving for excellence, can take on board.
1. Brutal Training Camps: A Whole New Level of Work Ethic
I’d consider myself a hard worker in my training. Diving required hours of repetition, refining the tiniest of details, pushing through fatigue to execute at the highest level. But when I see the workload boxers go through in a fight camp, it’s a different beast entirely.
Physically – The volume of conditioning, sparring, roadwork, and technical drilling is relentless. Even their "rest" days aren’t really restful.
Mentally – Imagine pushing your body to the absolute limit daily, knowing that at the end of it all, someone is coming to punch you in the face. That’s a different kind of pressure.
Emotionally – Boxers isolate themselves from their families, sacrifice everything for months, and still have no guarantee of success. Tyson Fury didn’t speak to his wife for 3 months before his fight against Oleksandr Usyk, and he lost! That level of commitment is something all athletes can learn from.
I trained hard in diving, but I never had to worry about getting hit while doing a reverse three-and-a-half somersaults. Boxers take hard work to an extreme.
2. Ultimate Self-Belief: The Difference Between Winning and Losing
If there’s one thing boxers must have, it’s absolute belief in their ability to win. If you step into the ring with doubt, you’re already at a disadvantage. I can’t pretend I know what it feels like to fight under the bright lights, but I do know what it feels like to be alone in a high-pressure moment.
Loneliness in competition – In diving, I stood on the board alone, just me and my thoughts. In boxing, it’s the same, but with someone actively trying to stop you from succeeding.
Handling adversity – Things don’t always go to plan. If a dive doesn’t go well, I need to refocus and attack the next one. If a boxer gets knocked down, they have seconds to decide whether to quit or fight back.
The power of confidence – Whether in sport or life, belief fuels performance. When training is gruelling, when doubts creep in, the best push forward because they believe they can.
3. “Everyone Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Face”
Mike Tyson said it best. You can plan your strategy perfectly, but what happens when something unexpected throws you off? Hopefully, in my case, that’s never an actual punch, but the metaphor still stands.
Adaptability is key – No matter how well-prepared you are, life will throw something unexpected your way. The best performers adjust on the fly.
Resilience wins – When things don’t go to plan, do you freeze or fight? The best in any field don’t just execute when things are perfect—they thrive when things aren’t.
Pressure reveals character – The ability to stay composed under pressure separates the elite from the rest. Whether in sport, business, or life, how you respond in tough moments defines you.
Shifting your mindset
I’m never going to be a boxer. Let’s get that straight. Dan Goodfellow will tell you. But the lessons from the ring go far beyond fighting. Work ethic, belief, and adaptability are essential in any high-performance environment. Whether you’re an athlete, an entrepreneur, or just trying to push yourself to the next level, take a page from the boxing world. Train like it matters. Believe in yourself when no one else does. And when life throws an unexpected punch… learn to roll with it and come back swinging.
What’s the toughest training you’ve ever done? Have you ever had to adapt on the fly when things didn’t go to plan? Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this with someone who needs a mindset shift, and let me know what topic I should cover next!