Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddox Parker.
Hi Maddox, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been very active and a little bit of a daredevil. I was doing backflips on the trampoline and off the diving board at our house when I was three. My mom and dad saw my potential and wanted me to have the best chance for success, so they put me in gymnastics when I was three. I immediately fell in love with the sport. As soon as I turned six last year, I started competing. I just finished my first competition season, and now I’m working on new skills to prepare for next season.
At the same time, my dad was also an amateur boxer. He bought me my first pair of boxing gloves when I was 18 months old. My twin sister and I loved to spar each other in the living room and hit the bags in the garage with my dad. When I turned five, I started going to the gym with my him and doing more actual training. I started sparring with fighters at other gyms after I turned six.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve definitely had a lot of struggles over the last few years. Gymnastics and boxing are both very physically demanding sports and they take up a lot of my time. I train 6 days a week in both sports—4 days of gymnastics and 2 days of boxing—on top of going to school and being a normal kid. I’ve had to sacrifice a lot. I’ve missed birthday parties and spending time with friends or family. Sometimes my body is in a lot of pain or I get frustrated with the challenge of learning a new skill. But at the end of the day, it’s all worth it to do something I love.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
One thing that sets me apart from others is that I’m both a gymnast and a boxer. Those two sports are so different, so the fact that I was drawn to both of them is interesting. Being a female boxer is also unique, especially at my age. I have a hard time finding sparring partners because of it. I have to fight boys sometimes because there just aren’t any girl boxers my age or size.
I’m really proud that I’ve been able to accomplish as much as I have at my age. I’m the youngest gymnast on my team, and I had a great first competition season. I also get great feedback from my coaches and other boxers about how well I box for my age. I’m just proud to see all my hard work and dedication pay off.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My family is the most important thing to me. They are my biggest supporters. They all sacrifice so much for me to be able to do what I love. I’m so grateful for them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @madmaddox.parker
Image Credits
Danyelle Snead
JKP Sports Champion Image
