[fourchamberz]

What do you guys to mentally prepare, not just for a fight, but training in general. Lately I've been in the slumps feeling extremely drained mentally and physically. Sometimes I'll feel so tired that I will not even attempt to move from bed. I work long hours, 12 midnight to 12 noon. I've skipped training for the past two weeks and before that was on a 3 month lay off due to breaking my hand in last fight and making my move to Japan.

I do not know why I cannot just get up and go. I feel broken down or something. I don't know if it's depression or just being lazy, but I've never had this issue before. Last year I fought my first pro muay thai bout in Incheon, Korea and lost via decision. I didn't give up, but instead trained even harder for a larger pro tournament they were going to have in June.
But in a boxing match (which was just something to gain confidence before the tournament) I broke my hand in within the first round, but still ended up winning via tko. This killed me inside because this match was nothing. I had been training so hard for the tournament and to have that chance taken away from me was devastating.

Well anyway I moved to Japan and I've been on this slump. Any ideas?

[MTBJJ]

For basic motivation, I actually come on to this forum and read what others (someone like Vilo) are doing for conditioning and it gets me fired up to get to the gym and go another 2 rounds on the heavy bag or go an extra mile on my run.

In your case it sounds like it may be more than a matter of just needing some motivation. Once you start throwing the word 'depression' around I think it becomes a bigger deal. Is seeing a doctor for depression something that is done in Japan? If this 'slump' is affecting your life outside of training than you may want to consider it.

[Robert D]

Watch Rocky Marciano highlight clips or some Wanderlie Silva.

I also lack motivation to get out and jog......But once i start running and your warmed up, it aint so bad.

[Ian Coe]

I've been like that sometimes

I've never taken a break from training (unless I've been proper ill which happened last year).
When I had the break, I couldn't contemplate never training again and when training I couldn't contemplate I could take a rest.

Start off slow mate and build up.
Doesn't take much motivation to go for a walk listening to your music, so start there and push yourself mentally a bit more till you start jogging and running. You'll work yourself up to a point where you think 'wtf am I doing' and you'll start going to training and be getting back to normal.

I'd say the move had thrown you for a while too. Different country, surroundings, customs etc. That would take its toll on you mentally no end and some people are just plain old slow to adjust

[Tiger]

I have similar problem with getting out of bed and going to the gym or train at home..I dont know why but sometimes i get up like im tottally rested and full of energy and other times i just wanna die! Whats wrong?

[ryun253]

i think its over training i had the same problem.. but once i start taking fish oils my mind started feeling fresh

[ModernWarrior]

Fighting is a mental game. Everyone has slumps for different reasons. It happens to everyone, well at least most people. I feel the same way sometimes.

What motivates me is knowing that when I start fighting next year, I want to be able to grapple, strike, last longer, and hit harder, than any person in my weightclass. Of course I am gonna be fighting someone like Matt Hughes or Gomi when I start, but I want there to be no reason why I cannot beat the top fighters in the world.

Some people have what it takes mentally, others don't. Whether you do or you don't is for you to decide.

[grizz_mv]

Motivation is one of the hardest things for me to do. I work out 3 times a day, so by the 3rd i have to have something that keeps me going. what always motivates me is just know that no one is working harder than me. just knowing that when someone asks how hard you train, you can tell them the truth and be satisfied. just remember..its all in your head.

[Kimberly Ring]

I know this is a thread for mental conditioning, but does anyone have any advice for overcoming mental blocks? I am a martial artist (tae kwon do) and find that I freeze when sparring. At home, when I'm practicing combinations, everything flows and feels good, but once I get in class and start sparring I seem to forget everything I know. I'm not timid, so I don't know what the problem is. I will be testing for my black belt in September and have to go three 1.5-minute rounds of sparring. I want to know that I've done my best, so any advice you may have will be greatly appreciated.

[King Kabuki]

I know this is a thread for mental conditioning, but does anyone have any advice for overcoming mental blocks? I am a martial artist (tae kwon do) and find that I freeze when sparring. At home, when I'm practicing combinations, everything flows and feels good, but once I get in class and start sparring I seem to forget everything I know. I'm not timid, so I don't know what the problem is. I will be testing for my black belt in September and have to go three 1.5-minute rounds of sparring. I want to know that I've done my best, so any advice you may have will be greatly appreciated.

I find it's really an experience thing. It's odd to be able to execute perfect techniques when you have to also defend and get hit.

One thing you could do is have your instructor slow down your sparring sessions, and increase the durations of them. Turn down the intensity but do it for longer periods of time, gradually increasing at a more comfortable pace. Then as you become more comfortable and find yourself wanting to go faster and with more intensity, gradually turn it up. That might help get adjusted to the pace and be able to think more clearly when things are full-speed.